HONOLULU (KHON2) — Eminent domain proceedings have started for HART’s Skyline to take over about a half-acre in Kakaako. That leaves the business owner—and its customers—in limbo.
Preliminary roadwork is already underway on Halekauwila Street for Skyline’s Civic Center stop. It’s right next to Servco Pacific’s Kakaako Service Center. The work will soon be on Servco’s property.
Skyline needs a temporary easement for construction, and two permanent easements, for a support pillar and for the actual station itself.
“All we ask is that we be able to collaborate, negotiate in good faith, without the threat of a gun to our head, held by HART, who we are trying to partner with,” said Peter Dames, Servco Pacific Inc. President & CEO, at HART’s last Board of Directors meeting in August.
“I’m always working towards coming to a reasonable agreement that is acceptable to the owner and HART,” said Krista Lunzer, HART Director of Transit Property Acquisition & Relocation at that same meeting. “I will continue with this owner, and I’m hoping that we’ll have a settlement before we need to come back and file anything. Or ask for approval to file.”
That HART meeting was on Aug. 22. HART filed to condemn the property a week later. It says it needs to start that process because any delay could cause a delay in construction.
Servco says it was willing to negotiate but lost trust after HART barely communicated over 10 years of knowing land would be needed for Skyline. And then saying it needed 21,000 square feet – 4 times as much as originally planned.
That land is currently where Servco’s service bays sit. They say losing it would be a “mortal wound”.
Servco has not officially stated what its plans are for the future of this location. If it were to close, some customers say they’ll just go with the flow. Others say it’d be a huge inconvenience. One gentleman we spoke with says he actually walks home while waiting for his car to be serviced. Servco Toyota’s next nearest location is Mapunapuna.
“Well they do have several locations, this one happens to be the closest where I am, so I guess I’ll have to go to another location,” said Sam Ning, customer.
HART says it needs to start work on the Servco site in January for development and construction. HART would not comment due to the litigation. Servco hasn’t responded to our request for comment.