Post #703236 by AceExplorer on Sat, Dec 28, 2013 9:59 AM

Kaiwaza - great article and video, thanks for sharing.

So I'm mulling over the claims that redevelopment will "create 1000 construction jobs and 2500 permanent jobs." Hmmmm... In my opinion, few construction jobs will be created -- they will just draw from an already-existing pool of construction talent from both on and off the islands. And, really, 2500 permanent jobs, where and how? It all sounds great, they have their big numbers in our faces and in the media, and Queen Emma Land and others can say that they're doing something good. Generally, they truly are doing something good by replacing the IMP which was allowed to decay. But I can't help feeling the need to reach for a big barf bag when I think about how much more concrete they are bringing to Waikiki when many would rather see less concrete and more local culture and green space and soil. I can do high-end shopping all day long in cities on the mainland - that's not what I go to Hawai`i for. Fortunately I will always know where to go and what to do on the islands so that I'm not ignoring the culture and history and scenic beauty of the islands.

20 years from now, if I re-read my posts in this thread, I expect that I will still feel good that I didn't just watch all this happen without speaking up out of respect for the history and many good things that the International Marketplace contributed to Waikiki.