Proponents and opponents of the Hawai'i Community Development Authority's tentative plan for Alexander & Baldwin Inc. to redevelop 36.5 acres of state industrial land next to Kewalo Basin shared their views with six state senators yesterday during a nearly four-hour public briefing.

Public testimony from about 45 people ran roughly 2 to 1 against the proposed $650 million project, which includes selling about 7 acres of state land to build 947 condominium units that would help finance public and commercial elements of the project including a hula amphitheater, farmers market, restaurants, stores, marina improvements and a pedestrian bridge across Kewalo channel.

The biggest complaint about the plan dealt with building three 200-foot condos as opposed to more open public space.

"If it takes three high-rises to finance this project, then maybe this isn't the project that should be built," Robert Loy, director of environmental programs for the Outdoor Circle, told senators during the meeting. "We need to take a look at alternatives."

In written testimony, Manoa resident Kozen Kaneshiro said the area should be made into a park that everyone can enjoy. "Building those high-rises will deny our children's children and their children from enjoying the open space in that area," Kaneshiro wrote.

Others who testified said the state government can't afford to transform and maintain the area's former baseyards and warehouses as desirable public park space, and therefore supported A&B's development plan that also proposes paying the state $50 million for the residential parcel.

The Hawai'i Farm Bureau testified in favor of the project for the farmers market that the Farm Bureau said would help local farmers promote and sell their products.

Russell Kokubun, D-2nd (S. Hilo, Puna, Ka'u), the chairman of the Senate Water, Land and Agriculture Committee, said that senators had concerns about the plan, specifically the sale of state waterfront property, but that he couldn't predict what action lawmakers might take.

The Hawai'i Community Development Authority is a state agency created by the Legislature in 1976 to facilitate redevelopment in Kaka'ako and make the largely rundown industrial area a more vibrant mixed-use community with residents, businesses and public space.

The agency in September selected A&B's proposal over three competing development plans, and is working with the company to solicit public input to help refine elements of the project, which could be finalized or rejected by the agency early next year.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.