by Andrew Walden

HART has conveniently located its Middle Street Station to maximize the profit potential for Transit Oriented Development by First Hawaiian Bank.  But First Hawaiian is not the only landowner poised to profit from TOD.  Here is a look at three stations surrounded by underutilized land owned by politically connected landowners.

Middle Street Station: Dillingham Bl above Kalihi Stream

First Hawaiian Bank owns three large parcels totaling 6.2 ac on the makai side of Dillingham across from station site.  Former First Hawaiian Board Chairman Don Horner was also formerly the Chair of HART.  The 16.46 acre OCCC Jail site two blocks DH of the station and one block Ewa of the Kalihi Station.  In between, a 4 ac site is owned by “Paradise Cruise Ltd”.  The State has been pushing OCCC redevelopment schemes.

Kalapama Station: Cor Dillingham Bl and Kalapama Canal (TOD Plan: Mixed-use High Intensity see pg 1-12)

The Mauka DH side is HCC campus, owned by UH.  The other three sides consist of dozens parcels, all owned by Kamehameha Schools.  The Caldwell admin had drawn up extensive plans to spend taxpayer dollars to transform this area of hostess bars, illegal gambling dens, and warehouses into highly profitable condominium developments.  KSBE will rake in millions if not a billion.  

Iwilei Station:  Cor Kaaahi St & Kaamahu Pl  (TOD Plan: Mixed-use High Intensity see pg 1-12)

The Ewa/Mauka side is 2.75 ac owned by Hawaiian Electric surrounding a small parcel owned by HART.   The State owns 3.7 ac DH/Makai of the station site.  The Weinberg Trust (300 Corp) owns 3 ac Ewa/Makai of the station site and the C&C of Honolulu owns a building leased to IHS DH/Mauka of the station site. 

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HART: Station Map

Oahu: TMK Map