But the project hit another roadblock today over a cultural preserve on its property.

The Ward Villages project has hit snags over everything from paying contractors to parent-company bankruptcy to conflicts over ancient iwi or bones found at the building site.

The burial issues are yet to be resolved.

The Oahu Island Burial Council took up a familiar topic at its latest meeting -- the years-long issue of how to handle iwi discovered at the ward villages shops project during construction.

Owner General Growth Properties and a consultant have been working with descendants on a burial and cultural preserve area they hope will bring resolution.

"I think GGP has tried very hard to accommodate and address the concerns,” said Dawn Chang, a consultant for GGP.

But some families say they're still not satisfied.

"Just keep them, keep the public away from it altogether,” suggests Kaanohi Kaleikini.  “Let everybody know that yes they desecrated these burials to build this project."

Among the remaining issues stalling this section of the project, is whether there should be a walkway through the cultural preserve between two burial sites, whether there should be parking nearby and whether to create barriers with plants, rocks or fences.

GGP has suggested they try it with the walkway, parking and plants for now and fix it later if it doesn't prove to be optimal.

"I want everything put in now rather than later. I don't want to have to go visit this again, that is closure,” said Kaleikini.

GGP itself is going through transition, emerging from bankruptcy in a plan that includes a spinoff of development property sales.

GGP and its consultant point out any commitments such as the archaeological monitoring plan are regulatory pledges that attach to the property regardless of owner.

But under burial council oversight, the issue of the cultural preserve remains in limbo until the council hears consensus from all the families.

"Please understand that we're looking at a higher than normal standard that I think we as a community owe these folks because of what has been done to them. It’s not a normal situation, we owe them a greater measure,” said Kehau Abad of the Oahu Island Burial Council.

The council also heard updates on iwi at St. Augustine's church in Waikiki, Kawaiahao church and how the issue will be handled along the Oahu rail line.