Quick Start

For a 2,000 sq ft Kaka'ako space:

• Office rental: $3.50-4.50/sq ft/month
• Event space: $150-300/day or $25-50/hour
• Coworking potential: 20-30 desks at $300-450/month each
• Artist studio conversion: $2.50-3.50/sq ft/month

Workflow

Progress:

• Location assessment (walkability, parking, transit access)
• Zoning verification (mixed-use, commercial, creative district)
• Space configuration analysis (open floor, private offices, common areas)
• Market comparables research
• Target tenant identification
• Financial projections
• Negotiation strategy development

Location Scoring (1-10 scale)

• Proximity to Ward Village: +2
• Ocean/mountain views: +1-2
• Ground floor retail access: +1
• Parking availability: +2
• Public transit proximity: +1

Tenant Matching

Office tenants: Tech startups, creative agencies, consultants Event clients: Corporate retreats, film screenings, art shows, workshops Coworking fit: Freelancers, remote workers, small teams

Examples

Example 1: Office Lease Analysis Input: 1,500 sq ft, second floor, Pohukaina Street, asking $4,800/month Output:

• Rate: $3.20/sq ft (below market)
• Recommendation: Negotiate 3-year lease with 3% annual increases
• Target tenant: 8-12 person creative agency or tech company

Example 2: Event Space Conversion Input: 3,000 sq ft warehouse space, high ceilings, loading dock Output:

• Event rate: $200-400/day depending on equipment included
• Required improvements: $15K-25K (lighting, sound, restrooms)
• Revenue potential: $4K-8K/month with 15-20 bookings

Example 3: Coworking Feasibility Input: 2,500 sq ft open loft, Kaka'ako makai Output:

• Capacity: 35-40 desks plus 2 private offices
• Revenue model: $350/month hot desks, $550 dedicated, $1,200 private offices
• Break-even: 25 members at average $400/month

Best Practices

• Research recent Ward Village commercial rates as ceiling
• Factor in Kaka'ako's creative district premium (10-15%)
• Consider phased rent increases for long-term tenants
• Include utilities in event space pricing

• Partner with POW! WOW! Hawaii for artist studio leads
• Connect with Hawaii Film Office for production space needs
• Leverage Salt at Our Kakaako for foot traffic insights
• Build relationships with UH art programs

• Emphasize walkability to Ala Moana and downtown
• Highlight unique Kaka'ako creative ecosystem
• Position against higher-priced downtown options
• Market flexibility for multiple use cases

Common Pitfalls

• Overpricing based on luxury condo comps - Commercial rates are different
• Ignoring parking requirements - Essential for most office tenants
• Underestimating event setup/breakdown time - Reduces daily booking potential
• Not verifying film production insurance requirements - Liability issues
• Overlooking noise ordinances - Impacts event space viability
• Assuming all creative tenants are price-sensitive - Established businesses pay market rates
• Not considering seasonal tourism fluctuations - Affects event bookings

• Spaces without adequate HVAC for Hawaii climate
• Properties with unresolved parking disputes
• Buildings without elevator access above first floor
• Spaces requiring expensive seismic retrofitting