Amazon Fulfillment Center Plans Hit Roadblock in Honolulu

Amazon's plan to build a massive five-story warehouse in West Oahu has hit a roadblock. The Honolulu Planning Commission voted 7-0 to defer action on a zoning change sought by Amazon for its Project Savoy Fulfillment Center, delaying a decision on whether the company can build the facility.

The deferral comes after months of community discussion and concerns from neighborhood board members about Amazon's communication with residents. The city Department of Planning and Permitting had recommended approving the request with conditions, but the Planning Commission decided to delay its decision until November 18.

Amazon seeks to build the fulfillment center on 16.5 acres of a 31.56-acre parcel in Kapolei, with a proposed height limit of 100 feet. The facility would contain roughly 2.8 million square feet over five levels and employ about 1,562 workers in two daily shifts.

Neighborhood board members had expressed frustration with Amazon over obtaining written responses to questions raised during the review process. Stephen Maduli-Williams, senior economic development manager at Amazon, said his company conducted up to 18 months of outreach with community groups and would commit to regular reporting to the neighborhood board about its efforts to develop the fulfillment center.