Sit-Lie Ordinance Enforced in Chinatown

The Honolulu Police department has started to enforce the city's new sit-lie ordinance in Chinatown.  Under the new law, sitting and lying on business district sidewalks is prohibited from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.  Police officers have spent the last two weeks handing out warnings in Chinatown and encouraging people to move into shelters. Over the next few months, enforcement will go into effect for downtown Honolulu and 14 other business districts throughout Oahu. Waikiki's ordinance is slightly different as it bans sitting and lying on sidewalks 24 hours per day.

Chinatown merchants and residents stated that they have already noticed a difference, but hope that the city would include banning lying and sitting at five malls in the Chinatown-downtown area as well. These include College Walk Mall, Sun Yat Sen Mall, Kekau­like Mall, Union Mall and Fort Street Mall.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-23-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Downtown Store-Owners Complain About Homeless

Ever since a ban went into effect preventing sitting and lying on sidewalks in Waikiki, store-owners in Downtown Honolulu have been complaining that has been a significant increase in the number of homeless people loitering on their sidewalks.  It also appears that the arrival of homeless people from outside the neighborhood have increase the number of fights and altercations between the homeless, which is driving customers away. The Honolulu City Council has stated that they would like to expand the sit-lie ban in other areas around the state including Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown, but Mayor Kirk Caldwell added that he will wait to hear from city attorneys before signing it into law.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 11-24-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Concern Mounts on Where the Waikiki Homeless Will Go

At the start of this year, Honolulu officials estimated that there were 560 chronically homeless people living on Oahu, out of which approximately 30 percent, or 170 people, lived in Waikiki.  Last month, the Honolulu Police Department begun enforcing a new law which prohibits lying and sitting on Waikiki's public sidewalks.  It is estimated that about 50 to 60 percent of the homeless population in Waikiki has moved away from Waikiki.  However, there has been conflicting information as to where the homeless have gone or plan to relocate to.

According to Ron Lockwood, the chairman of the McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board, there appears to be an increase of homeless camped out in his board's jurisdiction. Lockwood stated that the homeless are sleeping on side streets to avoid being harassed by law enforcement officers.  Neighborhood boards in Ala Moana, Kakaako, and Chinatown are also concerned if they would see an surge in homeless on their streets.  Mayor Kirk Caldwell has stated that he is committed to its "Housing First" Program which would help to provide permanent housing to those deemed chronically homeless.  However, while the funds are in place to build these units, they are still months away from completion.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-12-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Honolulu Mayor Signs Sidewalk Bills

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has signed into law several bills that would affect the sidewalks of Waikiki and other parts of the island of Oahu.  Bill 42 made it illegal for people to sit or lie on Waikiki sidewalks 24 hours per day.  Bill 43 prohibited people from urinating and defecating in public places in Waikiki.  Bill 46 made it illegal for people to urinate or defecate in public areas in the rest of Oahu.  Offenders who violate these new laws could be fined up to $1,000 and/or up to one month in jail for the petty misdemeanor.

Caldwell noted that he also intends to sign Bill 48 which would ban sitting and lying from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM in Chinatown, downtown, McCully-Moiliili, Waipahu, Kalihi, and Kailua. Bill 48 still needs to be heard by the City Council's Zoning and Planning Committee and will need a final vote by the full City Council before coming to the Mayor's desk for his signature.

Opponents of the bills argue that they are unconstitutional and immoral.  They believe that the government is criminalizing being homeless and feel that the money spent enforcing these laws would be better served by building more housing and providing more services for those who need it.  Several organizations have stated that they would challenge the constitutionality of these bills in court.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-17-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Honolulu City Council Looks at Five Bills That Would Have Major Impact on the Homeless

The Honolulu City Council's Zoning and Planning Committee will be looking at five bills which, if made into laws, would have a huge impact on the homeless population of Oahu.  Three of the bills are focused on banning lying and sitting on public sidewalks in various areas around Oahu, with Bill 42 focusing on restrictions in Waikiki, Bill 45 imposing it island wide, and Bill 48 focusing on business districts in downtown Honolulu.  Meanwhile, Bill 43 would ban urinating and defecating in public areas of Waikiki, while Bill 46 would impose the same ban island wide.

Supporters of the bills state that the sidewalks should belong to pedestrians and that Oahu's sidewalks should be clear and clean for residents, businesses and visitors to use.  Opponents of the bills argue that they unfairly target the homeless population and the city should create shelters and services to help the homeless.  One online petition against the bills states, "The sidewalks are the only public place left for displaced persons to legally exist.  Those seeking this criminalization cannot succeed without the majority of local working-class people buying into their propaganda that displaced families threaten the livelihood of our state, which they clearly do not."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 8-26-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Clifford Center Office Building in Downtown Honolulu Sells for $9.3 Million

The Pacific Office Properties Trust has just announced that they will be selling the Clifford Center office building in downtown Honolulu to the McKinney Capital Group for $9.3 Million.  The 10-story building is located at 810 Richards Street.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 8-16-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Wal-Mart To Open Downtown Honolulu Location on Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Wal-Mart has announced that they will be opening its new downtown Honolulu location at Fort Street Mall on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.  There will be a Hawaiian blessing and maile lei ceremony from 7:30 AM until 8:00 AM.  The store will be open for business immediately after the ceremony.  The store will remain open daily from 6:00 AM until 10:00 PM. According to Wal-Mart spokesman David Sayre, the downtown Honolulu location will be approximately 80,000 sq ft in size.  The company has hired approximately 150 workers in the past few months for this store.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 7-4-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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New Bill Would Prohibit Sitting or Lying on Public Sidewalks in Downtown Honolulu

Last week, Mayor Kirk Caldwell proposed a bill that would prohibit people from sitting or lying on public sidewalks in Waikiki.  Impressed by this idea, City Councilwoman Carol, Fukunaga has proposed Honolulu City Council Bill 45 which would make sitting and lying on public sidewalks also illegal in the downtown Honolulu neighborhood, specifically from Chinatown to Ward Avenue in Kakaako.  Fukunaga stated that her constituents complain to her office daily about people lying or sitting on the sidewalks, blocking pedestrian access.  Fukunaga commented, "This is a big problem that has affected businesses and their ability to function in the manner that their businesses were intended."  Similar laws were passed in Seattle and San Francisco and were deemed to be constitutional.

If both bills are passed, it is predicted that the homeless could be forced to relocate to other nearby neighborhoods like Ala Moana, McCully and Moiliili.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 6-21-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Aloha Tower Marketplace Has Ceremonial Groundbreaking Ceremony

A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Aloha Tower Market Place, signifying the start of Hawaii Pacific University's $40 million renovation plan for the struggling retail complex at Honolulu Harbor.  HPU plans to build a dormitory facility for 300 students, additional classrooms, a college bookstore, as well as additional restaurants and retailers.  The school anticipates that all of the construction work will be completed in 2015 to coincide with the university's 50th anniversary.  Geoffrey Bannister, HPU President, stated, "We are really on the way to revitalizing this area. Hawai'i Pacific University is invested in strengthening the Hawaii community, providing an exceptional educational experience for our students, and bringing new life and vitality to this much-beloved landmark."

It is projected that this renovation project will create 200 construction jobs and between 200 and 250 permanent jobs once completed.  Governor Neil Abercrombie stated, "I know this is the beginning of a spectacular rise not only in the educational offerings but in the revitalization of the entire urban core of Honolulu."  Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell added, "Shortly there's going to be new life here. I see nothing but good in all of this."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 6-19-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Honolulu Chinatown Community Unhappy About Growing Homeless Problem

Residents and business owners of the Honolulu Chinatown neighborhood are trying to work with city officials to resolve the growing homeless problem in their community.  While people seem resigned to the fact that the homeless are there to stay, there is increased frustration at the number of homeless who are using the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park as a bathroom, and would like the city to build a public restroom there to reduce the stench. Andrew Friedlander, the principal broker for Colliers International, a commercial real estate company that operates several buildings in downtown and Chinatown, stated, "The homeless are living, urinating and defecating in the park every hour of the day. It's repulsive. We need to get the homeless out of Waikiki. We know we can't get them out of downtown. But we do need to take care of the filth and the smell, because it's embarrassing." Downtown Neighborhood Board member, Dolores Mollring, agrees and commented, "It's the perfume of Chinatown. It takes your breath away. The stench is so bad, and it's only going to get worse when the summer heat comes."

Currently, the only place where homeless can use a public restroom is at the Honolulu Police Department's Chinatown substation at the corner of Hotel and Maunakea Street, but officials acknowledge that this restroom is often out of order due to the abuse that user inflict on the facility. City Councilwoman Carol Fukunaga, who represents the downtown-Chinatown area, is proposing allocating $500,000 in the fiscal year 2015 budget to create and support a solution.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 5-22-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Vision to Increase Shared Office Space in Chinatown Neighborhood, Oahu

Real Office Centers has stated that they will be working to create a new shared office space in Chinatown, in a two-story building on the corner of North Hotel Street and Nuuanu Avenue.  The concept of the shared office space has been around for several decades, and, in this case, would offer up to 30 small companies a mailing address, phone answering and forwarding service, conference room rentals, and office space for lease on a full or part time basis. Currently, the Waikiki Landmark building in Waikiki, the Ala Moana Center in Ala Moana and the Waterfront Plaza in Kakaako offer shared office spaces.

According to Ron McElroy, the CEO for Real Office Centers, the Chinatown location would offer 14,000 sq ft of office space.  McElroy hopes that a grand opening can be held sometime next month.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-22-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Walmart to Hire 150 Employees for New Downtown Honolulu Store

Walmart has announced that they will be hiring a total of 150 employees for their new downtown Honolulu store, which is scheduled to open sometime this summer.  According to their hiring statement, most of the employees will begin working and training in April, in order to prepare for the grand opening.  The new Warlmart will be located at Fort Street Mall, in the site which the downtown Macy's had previously occupied.  Victor Lim, the chairman of the Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District, stated, "We are very excited about Walmart entering our downtown Honolulu. We at Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District firmly believe that positive business activities and customers in the area brings energy and vitality to our downtown."

Any interested applicants may apply online at careers.walmart.com

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 2-25-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Aloha Tower Market Place Update

Hawaii Pacific University, the new owner of the Aloha Tower Marketplace, has given notice to the majority of their tenants that they need to move out by March 17, 2014 so that way the school can begin renovations to convert the center into university facilities.  The plan would be to completely overhaul the 165,000 sq ft center and add classrooms, a library, offices and eventually new restaurants and retail space.  The second floor would become a dormitory for approximately 300 Hawaii Pacific University students.  The only four tenants not to be evicted due to on going long-term contracts were Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, Hooters, the Star of Hono­lulu tour boat and TheCAB.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 2-8-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Resolution to Install Public Restrooms in Downtown and Chinatown

Honolulu City Councilwoman Carol Fuku­naga has introduced Resolution 13-293 which would have the city install public restrooms in downtown and in Chinatown.  According to Fukunaga, the push comes from businesses and residents in these neighborhoods, who are unhappy with an increasing homeless population who use the sidewalks and alleys as their bathroom.

Jesse Broder Van Dyke, the spokes­man for the Mayor's office has stated that they are looking into this request, but the main concerns are vandalism and safety when picking a public restroom in these areas. Broder Van Dyke noted that the public is allowed to use the restroom at the Hono­lulu Police Department's Chinatown substation. The police station is located at the corner of Hotel and Mau­na­kea streets and is available throughout the day.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-14-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Senior Residence at Iwilei Update

The Pacific Housing Assistance Corp has nearly completed a 160 unit low-income housing project called the Senior Residence at Iwilei and are now accepting rental applications from interested parties. In order to apply, an applicant must be 62 years old or older, be a U.S. citizen or qualifying non-citizen, and not be a majority owner of any residential real estate. Applicants must also not earn more than 60 percent of Honolulu's median income, which equates to $41,160 for a single person or $47,040 for a couple. Rents will range from $800 per month for a one-bedroom unit to $1,180 per month for a two-bedroom unit. Governor Neil Abercrombie stated, "Through projects like the Senior Residence at Iwilei, the state of Hawaii is partnering with the city and the private sector to take a proactive role in providing affordable rental housing options for our seniors."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-16-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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Hawaii Pacific University Sells $42 Million Worth of Special-Purpose Bonds

Hawaii Pacific University will sell a total of $42 million worth of special purpose revenue bonds to help finance the redevelopment of the Aloha Tower Marketplace.  HPU plans to add student housing, new retailers and restaurants, and some other university facilities including an event center, more administrative and classroom space, and additional parking.  The renovations are scheduled to begin sometime during the 2013-2014 school year and the university hopes to have the student housing finished prior to the fall of the 2014 school year.

HPU plans to have a second bond issue sometime next year to raise an additional $38 million. That money would be used to improve their Kaneohe campus and their Oceanic Institute at Makapuu.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 7-27-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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Honolulu’s Chinatown Hopes to Attract More Tourists

A group of Honolulu’s Chinatown residents and supporters have been working very hard to educate tourists about their neighborhood and get them to come and visit. Located within the greater Downtown neighborhood, Chinatown boast many great restaurants, shops and open air markets. However, the neighborhood has its share of challenges over recent years. Karen Motosue, the vice president of the Hawaii Heritage Center, which uses volunteers to help promote Chinatown, stated, “People in Hawaii think of it as a dirty place, where there’s homeless people and crime. They don’t see it as a place where they should take their tourist friends. But we see it as an enriching experience for people.”

Lynne Matusow, the secretary for the Downtown Neighborhood Board, added, “(Tourists) want to see (Chinatown). They want to take pictures. They’re fascinated by the lei shops and the open markets. I don’t think there are many places that have markets like this. They’re very different than a supermarket. We’ve been trying to turn Chinatown into a tourist attraction for years.”

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 6-2-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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Hawaii Real Estate – Hawaii Pacific University to Proceed with Aloha Tower Makeover

Hawaii Pacific University has announced that they have resolved their dispute with real estate developer Ed Bushor and will now be able to proceed with their plan to spend $34 million to completely makeover the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Bushor had previously filed suit against HPU and stated that the university had fraudulently seized control of the retail center. The exact terms of the settlement between HPU and Bushor have not been released, but both sides agreed to moving on and Hawaii Pacific University now has full ownership rights and management rights.

HPU has announced that they would like to add student housing, classroom space, a sports and entertainment complex, additional parking and new retailers and restaurants to the Aloha Tower Marketplace. The school’s President, Geoffrey Bannister, stated, “This project holds great potential, not only for Hawaii Pacific University, but also for downtown Honolulu and for everyone who believes that Aloha Tower Marketplace can be the downtown jewel that so many have hoped it would become.” Bannister hopes to have the student housing available for occupancy in the fall of 2014.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-2-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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Downtown Real Estate – Walmart May Replace Closed Macy’s Store

While Walmart representatives have not officially announced that they will be taking over the location of the closed Macy’s Store in downtown Honolulu, all indications point in that direction. A building permit was issued to renovate the space, any while a tenant was not named in the permit, plans indicated that the new store would include, “numerous merchandise racks, several grocery isles, a pharmacy, a photo lab, a jewelry counter, an electronics department, a money center and a McDonald’s McCafe. Furthermore, the plans were drawn up by Raymond Harris & Associates, a Texas based architectural firm that has had a long relationship with Walmart. The city estimates the value of the renovation work for the building permit at $6 million.

The former Macy’s has approximately 85,000 sq ft of retail space spread out on two floors. There is also a five-story parking garage above the store. Hawaii retail analyst Stephany Sofos stated that Walmart would do very well in downtown Honolulu. Sofos added, “It has a bit of everything for every consumer whatever socioeconomic level you’re on. You can buy everything you need.”

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-28-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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Hawaii Real Estate – Alexander & Baldwin To Buy Downtown Office Building

Alexander & Baldwin Inc. has announced that they will be purchasing the Clifford Center in downtown Honolulu from Pacific Office Properties Trust for $11.2 million. The 10-story property is located on Richards Street and had 77,665 sq ft of rent-able space. The acquisition, which is expected to be completed on April 17, 2013, falls in line with Alexander & Baldwin’s stated goal to purchase more commercial real estate properties in the state of Hawaii.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-12-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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