Caldwell Approves Ewa Lagoon

The measures allow Haseko to scrap its previous plan to build a marina.

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Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has signed two bills that make way for developer Haseko to build a recreational lagoon rather than a marina in Ewa, a change that has angered homeowners and sparked a lawsuit.

Haseko received approval from the state in 1990 to build a marina community but changed its mind in 2011.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell stands in between Haseko Vice President Sharene Tam (left) and Executive Vice President Raymond Kanna (right) after signing bills that allow Haseko to build a recreational lagoon instead of a marina at the company’s Hoakalei development in Ewa.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell stands in between Haseko executives Sharene Tam and Raymond Kanna after signing bills that allow Haseko to build a recreational lagoon instead of a marina in Ewa. Courtesy of the City & County of Honolulu

Caldwell signed bills 62 and 63 on Friday. The measures rezone 50 acres in Ewa for “resort, apartment, industrial, business and preservation uses” and change Haseko’s special management area permit to allow a lagoon to be constructed, a press release from Haseko said.

“Haseko remains committed to realizing our decades-long vision of Hoakalei as a mixed-use waterfront community that will bring economic benefits to the community,” Raymond Kanna, vice president of Haseko Hawaii, said in a press release.

Read Civil Beat’s related coverage:

Are Honolulu Planning Officials Too Cozy With This Developer?

Why Can’t the State Make Developers Keep Their Promises?

Hawaii Monitor: Peeking Behind a Developer’s PR Campaign

Hawaii Monitor: Haseko Calls Disclosure of PR Plan ‘Embarrassing’

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