Kalihi Redevelopment: $333 Million First Phase Breaks Ground

The first phase of the Mayor Wright Homes redevelopment will cost $333 million. State officials and community leaders gathered on Thursday in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood of Honolulu to mark the start of construction on the project, which is the largest public housing development in Hawaii's history.

The site spans 15 acres near downtown and is bounded by King Street, Liliha Street, and Vineyard Boulevard. The Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority is partnering with developer Highridge Costa to replace the existing complex, which is nearly 75 years old. The new development will contain more than 2,400 rental units spread across 10 towers. This represents a sevenfold increase in housing capacity compared to the current site.

The plans include studios through five-bedroom units, public housing, condominiums for sale, and commercial space. More than half of the units are reserved for households earning less than 80% of the area median income. Later phases will include homes for those earning up to 100% of the median, which is approximately $150,000 annually for a family of four. Residents displaced by the construction have priority rights to return to the new complex.

Hakim Ouansafi, executive director of the housing authority, emphasized that the project aims to change the structure of public housing. He stated that the goal is to stop relying on past approaches to solve future housing problems. Ouansafi said, "It's not simply about breaking ground. It is about breaking barriers." He added that public housing should not be considered second class.

Gov. Josh Green described the project as a core component of the state's housing strategy. He noted that stable housing allows residents to focus on education, food security, and health care, stating, "Housing provides health." Moe Mohanna, president of Highridge Costa Development Company, called the effort a legacy. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi linked the development to the upcoming Skyline rail line, noting the site is designed to be within walking distance of the planned Iwilei rail station.

The development will also feature four acres of public parks and recreational space. The state estimated the total cost of the entire project at $1.3 billion in 2017. Construction is scheduled to take 15 years in total. The first building is expected to open in 2029.

Further details about the project are available at mayorwrighthomes.com.