California developer revives plans to build ‘iconic’ resort in West Oahu
KO ‘OLINA (HawaiiNewsNow) - Some of Ko Olina’s empty fields could be the future site of what developers are calling an “iconic resort.”
The “Atlantis” would be built on Oahu on 26 acres of land, next to Disney’s Aulani Resort.
It currently stands in the Bahamas and Dubai. If the project goes through, it would be the first resort of its kind in the United States.
It’s also a project that was first pitched in Hawaii 20 years ago when former Gov. Linda Lingle looked at plans with Ko Olina developers. It failed to come into fruition.
Now, California-based developer Kam Sang Company has bought the land from China Oceanwide Holdings Group and is trying to revive it.
Pacific Business News reported on Tuesday that China Oceanwide Holdings Group bought the 43-acre property about 10 years ago for $424 million. The California group just bought it for $216 million.
PBN also said the new development will have 500 hotel rooms and 500 condo units, costing $2 billion to build.
Hawaii News Now asked some residents what they thought about the project. Some said it would boost the economy and others expressed concern about parking.
Brandon Hughes, a seasoned travel blogger, said the permitting process should force the developer to consider the communities’ needs.
“You guys are going to build a world class resort, then you need to bring us a world class solution to the parking,” Hughes said.
The area’s neighborhood board said it has not received any proposals and has a lot of questions.
“How long will it take to build? I hope that they hire a lot of local, lot of union workers to build that resort,” said Moon Kahele with the Kapolei Neighborhood Board.
HNN reached out to Ko Olina Resort’s master developer and is waiting to hear back on the next steps.
Meanwhile, the company said in a news release that it’s goal is to build out Ko Olina, ultimately generating about $10 billion in economic impact, and more than 40,000 permanent jobs.
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