Pacific Business News (Honolulu) - 11:34 AM HAST Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Kamehameha Schools is acquiring the Varsity Theatre site in Moiliili in a land exchange that gives Robertson Properties Group the trust's old Kamehameha Drive-In property in Aiea.
The deal, announced Wednesday, gives Hawaii's largest private landowner the deed to the 1.7-acre Varsity property on University Avenue, which includes the Varsity Office Building, in exchange for the property at the corner of Moanalua Road and Kaonohi Street near Pearlridge Center and an undisclosed cash payment.
Los Angeles-based Robertson Properties Group is owned by Pacific Theatres parent Decurion. Pacific Theatres owns Consolidated Theatres and the Varsity Theatre.
"Consolidated's decision to close the Varsity provided us with an opportunity to acquire a strategically valuable piece of property," Kirk Belsby, vice president for endowment for Kamehameha Schools, said in a statement.
"It strengthens our ties with the university community and with Moiliili business and residential communities, and it strengthens our ability to support our educational programs and services."
Robertson plans to redevelop the Aiea site and will come up with a master plan in the coming months, said John Manavian, vice president of development for Robertson Properties Group.
Kamehameha Schools plans to upgrade the Moiliili area, which includes Puck's Alley, in the next few years, said Tara Young, senior commercial asset manager for Kamehameha Schools.
"The Varsity property adds even greater synergy to our options and opportunities in Moiliili," she said.
Robertson Properties Group recently completed the renovation of the former Waikiki Theatre site on Kalakaua Avenue, now called the Center of Waikiki, and is currently developing a shopping mall called Pearl City Gateway on the city's former Manana land in Pearl City.
"Oahu is one of our core target markets where we are actively developing and acquiring land," Manavian said. "It also is a challenging market but we are well-positioned to move quickly and pursue opportunities where we can bring new uses to older properties and reposition them to better serve Oahu residents."
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
BLNR Approves Projects for Legacy Land Conservation Program Funding
BLNR Approves Projects for Legacy Land Conservation Program Funding
HONOLULU - The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) granted $4.7 million Friday June 9 for state, county and nonprofit land acquisition projects to protect Hawai‘i’s valuable resource lands through the new Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP).
The LLCP (Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, Chapter 173A) will convey funding from the State Land Conservation Fund to two state agencies, three nonprofits and Hawai‘i County for the acquisition and permanent protection of lands having cultural, archeological and natural resource values.
“I’m very pleased that this year we are able to preserve and protect such a wide range of resources for Hawai‘i’s future generations,” stated Allan Smith, Interim Chairperson of the BLNR.
The newly-initiated Legacy Land Conservation Commission – a nine-member commission composed of cultural, agricultural and natural resource experts and representatives from each county – advised the BLNR on this year’s project selections.
“Virtually every one of the proposals we received was viewed by the Commission as significant lands with resources that merited protection. This was a tough choice, but we’re proud to have played a role in it,” stated Commission Chair Dale Bonar.
The following are summaries of the approved projects:
The Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), Department of Land and Natural Resources: $430,250 for the acquisition of the 1,335.98-acre Carlsmith property near Hilo, on the Big Island, for the conservation of native forest and habitat.
The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG): $1,500,000 for the acquisition of 169.87 acres in Honomđele, Hana, on Maui, for the conservation of native hala forest and cultural resources.
The Cave Conservancy of Hawai‘i: $154,000 for the acquisition of 9 acres in Kula Kai View Estates, on the Big Island, for the conservation of cave tunnels and cultural resources.
The Kona Historical Society: $301,000 for the acquisition of the 5.536-acre Uchida Farm, in Kealakekua, on the Big Island, for the preservation of agricultural and historical resources.
Hawai‘i County: $1,214,750 for the acquisition of 234.293 in Ka‘u, near Kawa‘a Bay, on the Big Island, for the preservation of natural and cultural resources.
The Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), Department of Agriculture: $1,100,000, for the acquisition of an agricultural easement on 108.217 acres of land in Kunia, on O‘ahu, from the Hawai‘i Agricultural Research Center (HARC), for the perpetual preservation of prime agricultural land.
LLCP projects are also subject to a consultation process with the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives and the approval of the Governor. Funding for projects that protect lands having value as a resource to the state will be available through the Legacy Land Conservation Program on an annual basis.
For more information on the Legacy Land Conservation Program please call (808) 586-0921.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Molly Schmidt
LLCP Program Coordinator
Phone: 808-586-0921
Molly.e.schmidt@hawaii.gov
HONOLULU - The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) granted $4.7 million Friday June 9 for state, county and nonprofit land acquisition projects to protect Hawai‘i’s valuable resource lands through the new Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP).
The LLCP (Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, Chapter 173A) will convey funding from the State Land Conservation Fund to two state agencies, three nonprofits and Hawai‘i County for the acquisition and permanent protection of lands having cultural, archeological and natural resource values.
“I’m very pleased that this year we are able to preserve and protect such a wide range of resources for Hawai‘i’s future generations,” stated Allan Smith, Interim Chairperson of the BLNR.
The newly-initiated Legacy Land Conservation Commission – a nine-member commission composed of cultural, agricultural and natural resource experts and representatives from each county – advised the BLNR on this year’s project selections.
“Virtually every one of the proposals we received was viewed by the Commission as significant lands with resources that merited protection. This was a tough choice, but we’re proud to have played a role in it,” stated Commission Chair Dale Bonar.
The following are summaries of the approved projects:
The Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), Department of Land and Natural Resources: $430,250 for the acquisition of the 1,335.98-acre Carlsmith property near Hilo, on the Big Island, for the conservation of native forest and habitat.
The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG): $1,500,000 for the acquisition of 169.87 acres in Honomđele, Hana, on Maui, for the conservation of native hala forest and cultural resources.
The Cave Conservancy of Hawai‘i: $154,000 for the acquisition of 9 acres in Kula Kai View Estates, on the Big Island, for the conservation of cave tunnels and cultural resources.
The Kona Historical Society: $301,000 for the acquisition of the 5.536-acre Uchida Farm, in Kealakekua, on the Big Island, for the preservation of agricultural and historical resources.
Hawai‘i County: $1,214,750 for the acquisition of 234.293 in Ka‘u, near Kawa‘a Bay, on the Big Island, for the preservation of natural and cultural resources.
The Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), Department of Agriculture: $1,100,000, for the acquisition of an agricultural easement on 108.217 acres of land in Kunia, on O‘ahu, from the Hawai‘i Agricultural Research Center (HARC), for the perpetual preservation of prime agricultural land.
LLCP projects are also subject to a consultation process with the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives and the approval of the Governor. Funding for projects that protect lands having value as a resource to the state will be available through the Legacy Land Conservation Program on an annual basis.
For more information on the Legacy Land Conservation Program please call (808) 586-0921.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Molly Schmidt
LLCP Program Coordinator
Phone: 808-586-0921
Molly.e.schmidt@hawaii.gov
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
National Trust's 20th list of America's most endangered historic places
America's priceless heritage is at risk—from the storied waterfront of Brooklyn to the neon-clad mom-and-pop motels of Route 66—some of America's most irreplaceable landmarks are threatened.
"The sites on this year's list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places embody the diversity and complexity of America's story, and the variety of threats that endanger it," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "The places on this year's list span the continent and encompass the breadth of the American experience. Each one is enormously important to our understanding of who we are as a nation and a people."
"The sites on this year's list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places embody the diversity and complexity of America's story, and the variety of threats that endanger it," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "The places on this year's list span the continent and encompass the breadth of the American experience. Each one is enormously important to our understanding of who we are as a nation and a people."
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
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