KAPOLEI, Hawaiʻi (KHON2) — A new master-planned community is currently in the making for Hawaiian Home Lands in East Kapolei.
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has awarded 115 turnkey homes for its newest community in East Kapolei called Kaʻuluokahaʻi.
This project aims to house 700 Native Hawaiian families upon its completion in 2029.
“These ‘ohana have endured far too long and deserve this opportunity,” Gov. Josh Green, M.D. said. “My office will continue to work alongside DHHL to ensure the resources the department needs are available to fully execute on its mission.”Among the awardees is Leslie Gohier. DHHL said she submitted an application in 1998 for a spot on the Oʻahu residential waitlist.
Over the years, she participated in five lot selections but was never offered until she received a project lease in March.
“I’ve been here five times, and people around us got picked, and it was disappointing, but still I was happy because people were being able to get a house,” Gohier said. “And that for me now, getting the opportunity to actually choose a lot for me and my family is the greatest gift I could ever ever receive. So I’m blessed to have been chosen to get a lot.”
The houses range in size from two to five bedrooms and will cost between $498,000 and $691,000. The DHHL broke ground on the 121-acre parcel back in August 2023.
According to DHHL, many Kaʻuluokahaʻi II-C lot selection participants held undivided interest or project leases, while some held on to their dream of homeownership since the 1960s and 1970s.
As for the future of Kaʻuluokahaʻi, the construction will happen in multiple phases within the next 5 years:
Increment II-D: 118 units, slated for completion in the summer 2027.
Increment II-E: 133 units, slated for completion in the summer 2028.
Increment II-F: 151 units, slated for completion in summer 2029.
Kaʻuluokahaʻi will cost $152 million to develop, according to the department.
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The DHHL looks forward to maintaining this plan for Native Hawaiians who have rightfully waited for their opportunity.