Scraping Sky In Honolulu

Officials in Honolulu is considering increasing the height limitations that dictate how tall buildings can rise in the beachside city. The mayor and city council hope that an increase in density will bring sustainable growth to the city.

1 minute read

January 28, 2007, 7:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"'Under existing law, go to the maximum, but over the long term, let's look at increasing those height limits in the urban core,' Djou said."

"While the resolution does not have the force of law, an administration official said the message from the Council is clear."

"Djou said that increasing height limits will increase density in the primary urban center -- the area that generally runs between Waialae-Kahala and Pearl City -- by building up instead of out."

"The height limit for downtown Honolulu buildings is 350 feet, but Hawaii's tallest building, the First Hawaiian Center built in 1996, received an exemption to build to 430 feet."

"Djou said that Hawaii is a long way from creating the kind of super-skyscrapers that hover over cities like New York or Chicago."

Thursday, January 25, 2007 in Honolulu Star Bulletin

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