THE SENATE
S.R. NO.
98
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE RESOLUTION
Urging APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES TO REDEVELOP the Pali Lanes property to preserve its historic mid-century architecture and provide for meaningful recreational, cultural, and community-serving uses that benefit the residents of Kailua and windward Oahu.
WHEREAS, the Pali Lanes property located in Kailua, Oahu, served as a community institution for sixty years before its closure in 2021, providing generations of residents an accessible and affordable recreational facility and a venue for youth sports, community events, social gatherings, hula halau performances, nonprofit organizations, and Special Olympics events; and
WHEREAS, the facility played a significant role in building community identity and a sense of place for Kailua and Windward Oahu as a whole; and
WHEREAS, since the closure of Pali Lanes in 2021, the property has remained vacant while proposals contemplating for-profit redevelopment concepts have faced significant community concern; and
WHEREAS, opportunities to preserve affordable and accessible community recreational and gathering spaces in Kailua, Oahu, are extremely limited due to rising land costs and limited land availability; and
WHEREAS, proper redevelopment of the property could facilitate its renovation to preserve its historic mid-century architecture, and support recreational, cultural, and community-serving uses that benefit residents of Kailua and Windward Oahu; and
WHEREAS, strong public support has been expressed for preserving the property for community recreation, gathering space, and public use, including support from elected officials, community leaders, the Kailua Neighborhood Board, and numerous petitions and surveys representing thousands of residents; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that appropriate authorities are urged to redevelop the Pali Lanes property to preserve its historic mid-century architecture and provide for meaningful recreational, cultural, and community-serving uses that benefit the residents of Kailua and Windward Oahu; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, should a renovation for public benefit not materialize, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to evaluate options to acquire the parcel of land with improvements thereon located at 120 Hekili Street, including the facility of Pali Lanes, for the purpose of preserving and maintaining the property for the benefit of the public; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Administrator of the State Historic Preservation Division, Chair of the Kailua Neighborhood Board No. 31, and Chief Executive Officer of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.
OFFERED BY:
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Report Title:
DLNR; Pali Lanes; Redevelopment; Public Acquisition