HONOLULU (KHON2) — After strong pushback from the Mililani community, a state workforce housing project has found a new home on Mililani High School’s lower campus — a move residents say is safer for the neighborhood and future tenants.
The project, spearheaded by the Hawaii School Facilities Authority (SFA), was originally slated for a site on Hookelewaa Street. But following months of public concern, the agency shifted plans and selected a parking lot and nearby field at the high school instead.
“I’m very grateful for the School Facilities Authority for working with our Mililani community,” said Danielle Bass, chair of the Mililani Neighborhood Board. “Our principal, students, parents, teachers, and staff all came together to advocate for a site that better serves the community.”
The SFA held 12 community meetings over the winter to gather feedback, much of which was critical of the original site. Residents raised concerns about traffic safety and congestion along Hookelewaa Street, citing a history of accidents and limited road space.
“There’s a history of traffic accidents, pedestrian safety matters, and we didn’t want more of that with an additional 153 vehicles on that small road,” Bass said.
The original location also housed the school’s long-standing agriculture program, which will now remain in place after more than 30 years.
In a statement, the SFA thanked the community for its input and expressed appreciation for the public’s continued support. The agency said it looks forward to advancing the project with the revised plan.
Local leaders said the project addresses a critical need in the area.
“We understand that housing prices and the cost of living here in Hawaii — especially Mililani — are very high,” said Bass. “So we strongly support the need for truly affordable teacher workforce housing and we’re excited that Mililani can be part of the solution.”
State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who represents the area, said the new housing will help ease the burden for incoming educators.
“This is a huge incentive,” Dela Cruz said. “Right now, principals have told me they sometimes have to subsidize new teachers’ rent for the first few months, because state employees often don’t receive their first paycheck until a month after starting.”
The new site, next to the school’s football, baseball, and tennis facilities, will require design adjustments to the 109-unit project. Noise is expected to be a factor, but Bass said the community is already coordinating with the school’s athletics program to limit late-night activity.
“We’re constantly working with the principal and athletics program to ensure noise doesn’t go past 10 or 11 p.m.,” she said.
The project is expected to be completed by 2030.