The decision by the Hawai'i Community Development Authority to create a retail and residential village in Kaka'ako makai, while pretty in concept, undermines the state's commitment to creating a new biotechnology and life sciences industry in Hawai'i.

My interest in the redevelopment of the Kaka'ako waterfront is longstanding. The HCDA was established in 1976, the same year I was first elected to public office. During the time, I chaired the House committee with oversight of the HCDA. I had the privilege of having the late Ray Suefuji, HCDA's first director, color in Gov. George Ariyoshi's vision of a revitalized Kaka'ako, then an area filled with dilapidated warehouses, flooded roads and a major landfill.

While years of budget cutbacks have slowed progress, much of Kaka'ako's infrastructure, its sewer lines and streets were renovated by the end of Gov. Ben Cayetano's administration. And the state committed to having life sciences serve as the backbone of Kaka'ako makai's redevelopment, beginning with a new medical school and research center.

We recently celebrated the opening of that new medical school and, later this month, the University of Hawai'i expects to open the associated bioscience research center. Additionally, UH is working to have a private developer construct a comprehensive cancer research center on adjoining land.

When the Legislature committed public funds to the construction of the new medical school in Kaka'ako makai, we did so with the vision that it would be the down payment on the development of a new life sciences industry in Hawai'i. Radiating from the medical school would be an array of research centers and incubators. More important is our hope that new businesses would spring from these biotechnology developments offering jobs, not only for UH graduates, but also for kama'aina who left Hawai'i for jobs unavailable at home.

Given this, I was dismayed to hear of HCDA's decision to award a development agreement to blanket the Kaka'ako waterfront with retail stores and residential towers. This decision simply is incongruous with our commitment to develop a life sciences center.

The HCDA would argue that having the residential towers is important to addressing the need for housing while creating a critical mass for the development. However, one has to wonder: Who will be living in those towers? If prices for individual condo units across Ala Moana boulevard start at more than $500,000, what will the prices be for units in these waterfront towers? Yes, our local residents are sorely in need of housing. But will they be able to afford these condo units?

If the HCDA is committed to more affordable housing, wouldn't it make more sense to build them in Kaka'ako mauka? After all, condominiums already are being built mauka of Ala Moana where development space is available, and where development would not affect our valuable shoreline.

One also has to question the need for more retail space, especially along the waterfront. Just across the street in Kaka'ako mauka, the HCDA is working with General Growth Properties for the expansion of the Ward retail and entertainment complexes. Ala Moana Center also is just down the block. Wouldn't HCDA want to help ensure the success of these stores and restaurants which would easily serve the tenants of the medical school and life sciences complex? Do we need another retail complex for tourists? Haven't we learned anything from the problems endured by another waterfront retail complex, the Aloha Tower development?

When the Legislature funded the medical school and research complex in Kaka'ako makai, it was seed money to grow a biotechnology and life sciences industry in Hawai'i. We have long talked about giving residents, especially our young adults, new opportunities to work and live in Hawai'i. We have long talked about creating new job opportunities so the economy is not tethered so tightly to the tourism industry. We have long talked about creating jobs so that UH science and technology graduates can find meaningful work in Hawai'i.

The development of a life sciences complex in Kaka'ako makai is an investment in Hawai'i's future. Our vision is weakened and our investment diminished by the HCDA's decision to give up these state-owned lands to retail and residential development. Going forward, we urge the HCDA to reconsider their decision and stay focused on what the original planners had in mind for the community. There are few properties in our state that have major significance for our future economic development.

Kaka'ako makai is one.