HALE‘IWA– Just as businesses began opening their new shops at the Hale‘iwa Store Lots, a longawaited public walkway opened on private property fronting Kamehameha Schools’ community revitalization project anchored by Matsumoto Shave Ice.
With input from North Shore residents, guidance from the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan and insight from staff of the City & County of Honolulu, the new walkway was fashioned to replace the standard urban curb-and-gutter sidewalk with a more rural-friendly, safe promenade, stamped to assimilate the wooden planked boardwalks of yesteryear.
“We’re really grateful to the community, Councilmember Ernie Martin, Mayor Caldwell and his staff at the City & County of Honolulu for providing guidance to help deliver a public walkway that perpetuates Hale‘iwa’s rich history and culture,” said Kalani Fronda, senior land asset manager at Kamehameha Schools.
A total of five businesses – including Global Creations, Malibu Shirts, Kahala, T&C Surf and the iconic Matsumoto’s Shave Ice – are now open at the store lots. Colette Harris of Global Creations shared her thoughts on the walkway.
“I’ve been getting awesome feedback from people coming into our store. Everyone is commenting on how well the project has turned out; how beautiful the storefronts and walkways are and how well it fits into the feel of Haleiwa. It's so nice to have the walkways veer close to the stores to allow people to peek in. Before, there were mud puddles outside and lines leading into the street, but now customers can park in the back and walk along the nice walkways to get to shops,” said Harris, an administrator at Global Creations.
At a price tag of $700,000, the new Hale‘iwa town pedestrian experience is included in the total cost of Kamehameha Schools’ $16 million Hale‘iwa Store Lots redevelopment, planned to stimulate economic vitality while staying true to the area’s plantation history.
“The heart and needs of Hale‘iwa really shows in this place – the provided lighting, necessary parking and now this walkway. It’s just so beautiful,” said Harris.
The 650 foot walkway, bookended by the Waialua end of the store lots and Mahaulu Lane, is part of the one-mile stretch of the Hale‘iwa town revitalization, a catalyst project of the educational institution’s North Shore Master Plan.
“Kamehameha Schools has deep roots on the North Shore of O‘ahu, and as we steward our properties in alignment with our educational mission, we want to ensure that our neighbors, the ‘ohana of this community, benefit and are blessed by what we do here,” said Fronda.
Grand opening ceremonies for the Haleiwa Store Lots are planned for early spring of 2015 when all merchants are expected to open their doors.