In a move that has been long-awaited by many, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has made a significant leap towards addressing the critical need for affordable housing among Native Hawaiian families. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands broke ground on its inaugural high-rise rental apartment, Hale Mōʻiliʻili, this past Friday, according to official sources reporting to the Office of the Governor. Poised to be the only affordable housing project exclusively serving Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries, this groundbreaking marks the beginning of a planned two-year development effort to deliver what is a much-needed resource for many on the waitlist. Offering a tiered rent structure, based on income, ranging from $657 to $3,460, the units are designed to cater to a broad spectrum of financial abilities.
Governor Green underlined the significance of the project, saying that, "Innovative projects like Hale Mōʻiliʻili ensure our Native Hawaiian families have a place to call home," and expressing his view that the development has the potential to "empower beneficiaries and create meaningful change." By creating these affordable housing options, the administration hopes to reduce the lengthy wait times families have faced. Money to support the initiative comes from a mix of public financing, including loans and tax credits, as mentioned by the Office of the Governor.
Hale Mōʻiliʻili will stand proudly in Honolulu as a 23-story building with 271 units, varying from studios to three-bedroom apartments, embracing a design that includes a two-story townhouse and a 290-stall parking structure. The tenet of the project, as outlined by Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Director Kali Watson in a statement obtained by the Office of the Governor, is to provide affordable rental housing for those languishing on their waitlist. Watson notes the ability of affordable rental units to alleviate financial strain, contributing to savings and potentially offering a stepping stone towards future home ownership, while still allowing beneficiaries to maintain their position on the waitlist for a lease award.
With the significant need for housing in the area, as there are currently more than 11,400 individuals on the Oʻahu residential waitlist, Mayor Rick Blangiardi weighed in on the importance of such development in Honolulu's urban heart. Mayor Blangiardi stated firmly, "Today’s groundbreaking for Hale Mō‘ili‘ili is a significant step forward in addressing our housing crisis," appreciating the dual impact of providing for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries and rejuvenating a historic site. Social services such as financial literacy courses and programs for children, along with space for small businesses, aim to ensure that Hale Mōʻiliʻili also serves a hub for community empowerment and connectivity, as detailed by the Office of the Governor.
The project carries a price tag of $155 million and is supported partly through various forms of financial aid, such as $41.5 million in low-interest loans from the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) and approximately $4.7 million in annual federal and state low-income tax credits, in addition to $80 million in tax-exempt private activity bonds. Developer Stanford Carr elaborated on the community aspect of the project, telling the Office of the Governor, "We strive to build more than just homes, it’s our goal to cultivate communities." Carr envisions Hale Mōʻiliʻili as a catalyst for positive change that honors and reimagines Honolulu’s history for the Native Hawaiian community.
