First phase of $333 million Kalihi housing project begins

Honolulu has long struggled with a shortage of affordable housing, a gap that prompted state leaders to launch the largest public housing redevelopment in the state's history. On Thursday, officials marked the start of construction for the first phase of that project at the Mayor Wright Homes site in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood.

The Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority and developer Highridge Costa will replace the existing complex, which dates back nearly 75 years. The 15-acre site is located near downtown Honolulu, bordered by King Street, Liliha Street, and Vineyard Boulevard. The new development is planned to hold more than 2,400 rental units, roughly seven times the capacity of the current complex. These homes will range from studios to five-bedroom apartments and will be distributed across ten towers.

Unlike the previous site, which served only very low-income residents, the new project will include a mix of income levels. More than half of the units are reserved for households earning less than 80% of the area median income. Later phases will serve families earning up to 100% of that figure, an amount equivalent to approximately $150,000 annually for a family of four. The development will also feature condominiums for sale and commercial space. Residents currently displaced by construction have been relocated and hold priority for returning to the new units.

Hakim Ouansafi, executive director of the housing authority, emphasized that the project aims to change how the state approaches housing. "It is about breaking barriers," he said, noting that the state cannot rely on past methods to solve future problems. He added that public housing should never be considered second-class. Moe Mohanna, president of Highridge Costa Development Company, called the initiative a legacy for the state.

Gov. Josh Green described the project as central to the state's housing strategy. "Housing provides health," he said, explaining that stable living conditions help families focus on education, food, and medical care. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi linked the project to the arrival of the Skyline rail line, stating that the combination is historic for affordable housing.

The housing authority estimates the cost of Phase 1A at $333 million. A 2017 state estimate for the entire 15-year redevelopment was $1.3 billion. The design includes four acres of public parks and recreational space. The site is positioned within walking distance of the planned Iwilei rail station.

The first building is scheduled to open in 2029. The full redevelopment is expected to take 15 years to complete. More details are available at mayorwrighthomes.com.