Wailani project moving ahead

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After about eight years of planning, a mixed-use development along Komohana Street is closer to becoming a reality.

After about eight years of planning, a mixed-use development along Komohana Street is closer to becoming a reality.

Wendy Matsuura, administrator for Wailani Development LLC, said recent land clearing near the Ponahawai Street intersection is being done to make way for phase one of the project, which focuses on commercial development.

She said an agreement was reached with a major drugstore and talks are ongoing with a grocery store as another potential tenant.

Matsuura said those two anchor tenants would open in 2018 based on the current timeline. She said it’s too early to identify those businesses.

“For the surrounding community, those two anchors will really service them,” Matsuura said, “so they don’t have to drive across or drive all the way down.”

The commercial development also would involve a medical campus and extending Ponahawai Street to Mohouli Street.

An additional two phases on the 162-acre site would involve single-family homes, townhouses and senior housing. Parks or open space also are planned.

Wailani purchased the property in 2009.

Previous owners Western United Life Assurance Co. had proposed a development known as “University Terrace.” That project was abandoned after the parent company went bankrupt.

Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.