Developer and property owner Alexander & Baldwin proposed redevelopment plans for a registered Hawaii Historic Landmark, Pali Lanes, which closed down over two years ago.
KAILUA, Hawaii (Island News) — Developer and property owner Alexander & Baldwin proposed redevelopment plans for a registered Hawaii Historic Landmark, Pali Lanes, which closed down over two years ago.
The Team Save Pali Lanes Committee was founded six years ago to fight to preserve the bowling alley that means so much to Kailua residents.
Community members reacted to possible new plans for Pali Lanes.
Team Save Pali Lanes was founded six years ago to preserve the bowling alley that means so much to bowlers and some Kailua residents. Save Pali Lanes President Christian Arakawa said developer and land owner Alexander and Baldwin mentioned years ago that their initial goal was to keep and preserve bowling in Kailua, but now it plans to create retail and restaurant spaces that would cater to tourists — making it more expensive for locals.
However, A & B told us that it is assessing the Pali Lanes building, property and infrastructure while exploring uses that will benefit the Kailua community, its tenants and their customers.
Prior to Pali Lanes shutting down, it was running for 60 years.
“Some people I know are very distraught and upset at the decision that they made to not only keep it bowling but they’re gonna make it retail restaurants,” Christian said.
“I’m just taking a big leap here but I’m pretty sure I’m right based off of everything that’s going on in Kailua it’s not gonna be a place where locals and their families can go on the weekend to go out and spend,” he added.
Arakawa is also concerned that they don’t have a local gathering place like Pali Lanes.
“That’s why it’s gonna be another thing catered to the tourists, people that don’t even live here,” Arakawa said.
Kailua resident Naomi Hanawahine described the bowling alley as a pillar and foundation to the community.
“Now that I know that plans are still kinda up in the air, I really hope Pali Lanes can stay, it’d be nice to come here again,” Hanawahine said.
Late Pali Lanes regular, Mary Sabate
Photo Credit: Christian Arakawa
They both mentioned generations have made memories at Pali Lanes from milestone celebrations to first dates.
Hanawahine says she grew up going to Pali Lanes with her parents, attending celebrations and taking her own kids. Her and her husband went on their first date there too.
Arakawa shared that one late local, Mary Sabate, was a regular at Pali Lanes who spent her final day at Pali Lanes before she died at 99-years-old. Arakawa claims Sabate’s dying request was for owner Art Machado to keep Pali Lanes open.
Save Pali Lanes emphasized they aren’t going to stop fighting to keep it a bowling alley until they are told there’s nothing more they can do by speaking to city council and rallying community members.
