Waikīkī tower at 436 Ena Road demolished by robots for affordable housing

Demolition has started at 436 Ena Road in Waikīkī, an eight-story vacant building and parking structure on city-owned land, to clear the site for future affordable housing. Contractor R.H.S. Lee Inc. will begin structural demolition the week of Nov. 2, using Husqvarna remotely operated robots that climb elevator shafts to dismantle the structure from the roof down, since the confined site has no room for large trucks or cranes. Work is expected to continue through February 2027, with safety fencing in place throughout and the redevelopment partnership now set for rebidding.