OHA Acquires New Honolulu Property

OHA. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has acquired the Gentry Pacific Design Center in Honolulu.

The property is located off of Nimitz Highway and is surrounded by the Kamehameha Schools Kaka’ako SALT project and OHA’s Kaka’ako lands.

OHA officials say they plan to bring new energy to the center, which stands in the heart of the revitalization of Honolulu’s coastal gateway.

At the same time, official say, current leases will be honored and property managers will remain on board to minimize impacts of the transition.

OHA completed the deal with GPP, LLC on Aug. 20, 2012.

“The acquisition represents another meaningful step forward in our strategy of creating new opportunities to improve conditions for all Native Hawaiians,” said OHA Chief Executive Officer Kamana‘opono Crabbe in a statement. “This acquisition will be a positive addition to OHA’s portfolio as we diversify our investments,” he said.

“The Gentry Pacific Design Center has been a landmark property for the Gentry companies for over 25 years,” said Gentry-Pacific, Ltd. President Candes Gentry. “My father’s vision of restoring the old American Can Co. factory, while maintaining its historic charm, is one of the many ways in which Tom Gentry impacted the blueprint of the islands… We know that OHA will bring new energy to the Center and look forward to exciting new developments.”

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will initiate a planning process to develop a more specific long-term vision for the building.

Current plans call for moving OHA’s offices to the Gentry Pacific Design Center as space becomes available.