Waiakoa developers present 1,032-unit 201H proposal to HCDA; staff flags plaza, view-corridor and curb-cut issues

Developers presented plans for the proposed Waiakoa Development Project at 756 Oahu Street to the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority on Jan. 8, describing a 1,032-unit mixed‑use tower with 60% of units priced as affordable under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 201H‑38.

Ryan Tam, HCDA director of planning and development, summarized staff comments and the regulatory path: the applicant is seeking review under HRS 201H‑38, which provides exemptions for qualifying affordable housing projects, and is pursuing review through the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation rather than a standard HCDA development permit. “This project is being proposed under Hawaii Revised Statute Section 201H‑38, which does provide a certain permanent exemption for affordable housing projects with 50% plus 1 units that are priced for households earning up to 140% of the area median income,” Tam said.

Isaiah Sato, representing the applicant team, said the project would include 1,032 for‑sale residential units on a roughly 4.2‑acre site at 756 Oahu Street (TMK 12-1-053-032), with 620 units designated affordable (about 60% of the total) and 412 market units. The developer described ground-floor activation including a central public plaza of more than 25,000 square feet and a 15,000‑square‑foot promenade along Cook Street, approximately 68,000 square feet of commercial space, and an on‑site amenities deck with pool and fitness facilities.

Staff recommended a number of refinements and raised regulatory issues that the applicant must address. HCDA comments (in letters dated Dec. 23 and Dec. 31, 2024) asked the applicant to reduce curb cuts to improve pedestrian conditions, enhance activity and screening along Pohokaina and Oahu Street frontages, and provide screening treatment for the parking structure. Staff also highlighted compliance with condition 7 of the amended Kakaako master plan, which requires a 25,000‑square‑foot central plaza dedicated for public use; staff said the current design indicates a plaza larger than 26,000 square feet and that any modification to that master‑plan condition by the landowner (Kamehameha Schools) would necessitate a contested‑case hearing rather than being resolved through a 201H exemption.

Board members and staff pressed several detailed design and policy points during discussion. Questions focused on how the design affects designated view corridors along Cook Street, whether parts of the podium and the top of a tower would encroach on view‑corridor setbacks, and requests to provide a conceptual streetscape rendering showing the project’s effect on the corridor. The board also sought clarification on curb cut locations, parking access, and screening for loading and mechanical operations. Utility conflicts were cited as the reason the applicant sought an exemption from precise street‑tree placement requirements; the applicant said it intends to provide substantial tree canopy within the plaza and promenade, albeit not always at the exact frontage spacing specified by HCDA rules.

Board members urged coordination among major landowners, Kamehameha Schools, Castle & Cooke, the city and county, and HCDA to improve and activate nearby public spaces, specifically Mother Waldron Park and adjacent facilities. Staff and members discussed lighting, maintenance, and potential collaborative funding or stewardship for park upgrades.

The applicant requested multiple exemptions through the 201H process, including an increase to 6.5 FAR, building height up to 400 feet, relief from certain yard and view‑corridor requirements for architectural features and podium elements, and exemptions from specific public‑facility dedication requirements. No formal action was taken by the board on Jan. 8; HCDA staff said they will continue to work with the applicant to resolve comments and will follow up with additional materials, including the requested conceptual renderings.