The Zoning and Planning Committee on Nov. 20 amended and reported out Resolution 25‑316 (CD1), which defines the specific $1,000,000 community benefits package required of the planned development resort at 133 Keolani Avenue (the Kings Village/Holly Waikiki site).

Council Chair Waters, who introduced the hand‑carried CD1, said the benefits were developed in collaboration with the Waikiki neighborhood board and the Waikiki Business Improvement District (BID). "The Waikiki Business Improvement District does such a good job in keeping Waikiki clean and spruced up and I thought they were the best person or entity to carry out this mission," Waters said.

Opposition testimony came from Unite Here Local 5 (Ben Sadowski), which represents hotel and food‑service workers. Sadowski said the original 2016 approval required developers to contribute $1 million toward community benefits in exchange for height and FAR variances and argued the CD1 package as drafted does not meet community needs, particularly for broader housing or homelessness responses. "We don't think... taking away the chairs and benches at Kuhio Beach Park in favor of an unspecified activation project is really going to be in the best interest of the community," Sadowski said.

Trevor Abarazua, president and executive director of the Waikiki BID, described a community walk and said the neighborhood board voted unanimously to back improvements focused on revitalizing Kuhio Beach Park. The Department of Parks and Recreation deputy director said DPR supports the resolution as it applies to DPR and emphasized coordination with DPR for implementation.

Chair Waters recommended the resolution be amended to CD1 and the committee ordered it reported out for adoption with no objections recorded.

Next steps: the amended resolution proceeds to full council for final action; the CD1 directs the applicant to fund and coordinate proposed park and neighborhood improvements with DPR and community partners.