Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-10-23
OCTOBER %. 1916.
THE HEART OF HONOLULU

Collector II Customs Franklin. anctionng of the
Mahnka site last SATURDAY. began Thus:
-Gentemen how much am offered for the Heart
OF Honolulu" H
That il q phrase justified in idealism and hHsi-
nesx IIratticality--the Heart of Honolulu
Some weeks ago a wideawake businessman made
the suggestion TO the Honolulu newspapers report
ed M thar time i'm fhe Star. Bulletin. that when the
Mahnka site was sold and various large interests
began to lay their plans for Buildings there should
be concerted action TO develop this remarkably fine
piece Of downtown property as business center.
The suggestion IS timely. IL is Sound, it is progress
xye. Here are some of the advantages To be gained
II the men of large affairs, that the Mahuka
site is sold and the lineup of interests pretty defn-
iteIy established will act in concert:
New building Bishop, Merchant, King, Fort,
Alakea and Queen streets can be undertaken vir-
tnally at the same time
Mutual workfng-out OF plans will guarantee ar
chifecture throughout this business center which
viii be harmonious. Architectural monstrosities
will not he showed up against buildings of fine pro
portions and handsome details Even if there should
be no individual mOnstrosties, it might easily hap
pen that without cooperation two buildings would
90 up in iuxtapostiOn which, viewed together, would
be offenses to beauty and good taste.
With simultaneous building operations in pro
gress all the noise confusion, clutter of streets and
closing of sidewalks could be finished in period
say within a year. This should be powerful ar
gument to all concerned-to owners and tenants of
Buildings already up as well as to prospective
builders
The new district could be planned with special
establishment features such parkingstrips, or
namental lighting, uniform, permanent awnings
perhaps small central park on Bishop street with
an ornamental fountain in the center. Arcades
could be planned for all the buildings.
With cooperation the owners of buidingplots
could provide, each giving small account of ground
for access to interior courtyards for sidewalk or
street space wider than usual
Cooperation of this sort has immense practical
advantages in construction. Contractors might be
asked to bid on several buildings at once, with a
consequent reduction in the estimates for individual
structures Material could be brought from the
coast at one period of time. From dollars-and
DENTS standpoint the plan of cooperation ought to
appeal to the business interests involved.
Ii would be advantageous also in dealing with the
city, and with the utility corporations, to install
light water gas electricity telephone service in the
business blocks as nearly at one time possible
As an object lesson in community cooperation 1T
Wonid be the realization of splendid ideal.
As q guarantee of great business center which
would be a powerful attraction for the visitor it
W0nld offer immediate advantages both from an
artistic and practical standpoint Think of the
,hequaled position of retail shops that are tenants
IN business section which is beautiful to the eye
which offers advantages of accommodations for
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