We are planning a kitchen remodel. The kitchen is unique in that it has a long breakfast bar on one side dividing the kitchen from the living room and a half wall on the other side, dividing the former dining room from the kitchen. We currently have NO pantry. My husband is adamant about removing the wall the refrigerator and cabinets (where we store food) are on. He thinks we can build up the 1/2 wall to the ceiling and relocate the fridge there with a very narrow pantry. Then he wants to build a very long island with seating facing into the kitchen where the fridge wall currently is. This would open up the sight lines completely all the way from the front door to the water view balcony, which is his primary objective. I'm worried I will sacrifice a lot of storage even if there are drawers and cabinets in the island. I'm also concerned about preserving walking around/through space. We also want to replace the existing very narrow dark cabinets with wider white ones and the dated countertop/backsplash as well. We will change the flooring through to be consistent through the all the spaces too.

The appliances are only 3 years old so they can stay. Any suggestions/opinions appreciated!

1/2 wall pictured above and below

Wall to be removed in photo above

Current back view of the wall to be removed and walkway