HONOLULU (AP) — A plan to build luxury condominiums has been criticized by a Honolulu city councilor who questions whether the complex will help ease the city’s housing shortage.
Councilman Ikaika Anderson voiced his concerns about the proposed 26-floor building in a story published by Hawaii News Now on Wednesday.
Up to 60 percent of the units are being marketed in China, Anderson said.
“Where is the benefit to the Hawaii working family?” he asked. “Where is the benefit to the Hawaii resident who is looking for housing? I don’t see it with this property.”
Developer Jay Fang has applied for a zoning designation that would allow him to build 164 condos on the property with prices ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million. Normal zoning would allow 115 units.
Construction would be done by non-union workers, Fang said last week.
“The reason why is their work rate is 200 percent — double — the market rates,” he said. “Some people suggest directly or indirectly to work with the union, but we have been suspicious of the unions of Hawaii.”
Anderson said that raises questions about whether the workers will be brought in from outside Hawaii to build the project.
“This project has to benefit the people of Honolulu and the people of Hawaii and unless it does, the City Council should not consider it,” Anderson said.