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Two city planners with opposing views debate whether 1996's repeal of Waikiki's density-reduction framework was a serious mistake or a practical necessity. Don Bremner, who headed the Waikiki Improvement Association for 17 years, argues that the 1974 Waikiki Special District rules were benchmark legislation designed to reduce overcrowding through attrition — and that their repeal now allows density increases up to 20% above 1960s boom levels. Mel Kaneshige of Outrigger Hotels counters that the rules were a straitjacket: 89% of Waikiki's buildings predate the WSD, meaning compliance would have required demolishing roughly 41% of hotel rooms and 52% of apartment units. Kaneshige insists the real problem is not overbuilding but aging, deteriorating infrastructure that keeps repeat visitors away. Bremner attributes declining mainland visitor numbers to over-density; Kaneshige says visitor growth from 2 million to 7 million between 1976 and 1990 proves density was never the issue. Bremner also suggests the density liberalization opens the door to casino development — a charge Kaneshige rejects. A mainland visitor calling in says she was shocked at how sad Waikiki looked and would not return. Roth asks whether government may ultimately need to condemn and purchase properties to achieve any meaningful redesign.
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Companion newspaper commentaries
Commentaries by the guests, published in The Honolulu Advertiser around the broadcast.
