2,400 New Homes Planned in $333 Million Phase of Honolulu Housing Project

Honolulu officials began replacing a nearly 75-year-old public housing complex with a large-scale mixed-income development on Thursday. The project targets the Mayor Wright Homes site in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood, marking the largest public housing redevelopment in the state's history.

The Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority and developer Highridge Costa are tearing down the existing buildings located at the corner of King Street, Liliha Street, and Vineyard Boulevard. The new design replaces the current inventory with more than 2,400 rental units spread across 10 towers. This expansion increases the total housing capacity by seven times compared to the old complex.

Hakim Ouansafi, executive director of the housing authority, told attendees that the milestone represents a shift in how the state addresses shelter needs. "It's not simply about breaking ground. It is about breaking barriers," Ouansafi said. He argued that relying on past methods will not solve future housing shortages.

The development plan includes studios through five-bedroom units, public housing, and for-sale condominiums. More than half of the total units are reserved for households earning less than 80% of the area median income. Later phases will open to families earning up to 100% of that median, a figure of approximately $150,000 annually for a family of four.

Current residents displaced by the initial construction are being relocated and hold priority rights to move back into the new buildings. The state estimates the cost of Phase 1A at $333 million. A 2017 projection placed the total cost of the entire 15-year project at $1.3 billion.

Governor Josh Green stated that stable housing is foundational to resident well-being. "Housing provides health," Green said, noting that secure shelter allows families to focus on education and medical care. Moe Mohanna, president of Highridge Costa, called the partnership a legacy project.

The site will include four acres of public parks and recreational areas. The layout is designed to connect pedestrians to the planned Iwilei rail station. The first building is scheduled to open in 2029.