KILAUEA — Construction is expected to start within the next few months on a multi-use community facility in Kilauea called Anaina Hou, or “a new gathering.” But before that work begins, crews are expanding a neighboring portion of Kuhio Highway.
Traffic could be slow-going through a portion of the highway near Banana Joe’s Fruit Stand for intermittent periods during the next few weeks, but the addition of a left-hand turn lane likely won’t cause much interference, said Michael Kaplan, the facility’s project manager.
Although it might seem to some like a peculiar economic time for initiating such a business venture, Kaplan said he believes the timing is ideal.
“While it’s certainly somewhat scary to start a business now, it will take a year for construction to be completed and hopefully by then the economy will be on the rebound,” he said Wednesday, adding that since construction is relatively slow on the island, prices have been competitive.
“What’s good for business can also be good for the community,” he said.
The project has reportedly received much community support since its concept was first proposed.
After William and Joan Porter purchased the land in 2006, community outreach proceeded in 2007 to help determine what residents were seeking as far as land use was concerned.
The result was a project that fosters increased public transportation, provides activities for kids and educates about Hawaiian history and Kilauea’s agricultural history, Kaplan said in a previous TGI article.
“The community has been very supportive and wants to see this happen,” he said Wednesday.
Even receiving the blessing of the late-Mayor Bryan Baptiste in 2007, similar sentiments are also shared by current Mayor, Bernard Carvalho, Jr.
“Although I was not part of any discussions on the Anaina Hou development in Kilauea, I think it’s great that the developer met with the Kilauea community and asked them for input on what they’d like to see built on that property,” he said in an e-mail Wednesday. “I’m a big proponent of people collaborating on a project that benefits the community.”
The county Planning Commission approved phase one of the community project in December 2008, which includes an 18-hole miniature golf course with botanical gardens, a clubhouse and concession stand, a nursery and a park-and-ride bus stop.
However, Kaplan said they are still awaiting final building permit approval.
Phase two of the project will involve downzoning the bottom half of the property from industrial back to agriculture, he said, which will be heard at an upcoming Planning Commission meeting.
Phase two encompasses building a multi-purpose ampitheater — an outdoor seating area with a covered stage for public events such as concerts, as well as an indoor theater for plays and movies — and a certified kitchen.
If all goes according to plan, Anaina Hou should be open by summer 2010, Kaplan concluded.
“Once permits have been received, we’re ready to go.”
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
