The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands reached a significant milestone this past weekend, awarding 115 turnkey homes to Native Hawaiian families in the Ka'uluokaha'i community of East Kapolei—a moment that brought tears of joy and relief to beneficiaries who had waited decades for their chance at homeownership. For many families, this represents the culmination of generational dreams deferred.
Leslie Gohier exemplifies the long journey many families have endured, according to KHON2. She first applied for a spot on Oʻahu's residential waitlist back in 1998 and participated in five lot selections over the years before finally receiving a project lease in March. "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," she said.
Breaking Ground on Generational Dreams
The Ka'uluokaha'i project represents the beginning of an ambitious development plan, as reported by Yahoo News. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands aims to provide 700 Native Hawaiian families with homes by 2029 through this East Kapolei community. The homes themselves reflect the diverse needs of island families, ranging in size from two to five bedrooms with prices between $498,000 and $691,000.
Located on a 121-acre parcel where DHHL broke ground in August 2023, the community represents years of planning and infrastructure development. "These 'ohana have endured far too long and deserve this opportunity," Gov. Josh Green said, according to KHON2. "My office will continue to work alongside DHHL to ensure the resources the department needs are available to fully execute on its mission."
The Long Wait: A Systemic Challenge
The 115 families receiving keys represent just a fraction of those still waiting for homeownership opportunities. Hawaii News Now reports that an estimated 28,000 Native Hawaiians remain on the waitlist. Some of the current awardees demonstrate the generational nature of this wait, with many holding onto their dream of homeownership since the 1960s and 1970s.
The scope of delays has been staggering across the state. Faith Kalamau, a community organizer and leader in Papakolea, exemplifies the lengthy wait times, having been on the waitlist since she was 18—approximately 35 years, according to Hawaii News Now.
Recent Progress and Momentum
This latest award builds on other recent DHHL successes across the islands. Earlier this year, nearly 300 beneficiaries participated in the Puʻuhona Phase II lot selection where 91 turnkey homes were awarded for Maui's newest homestead community in Waikapū, as detailed by Governor Josh Green's office. In June 2024, 52 homes were offered as part of Puʻuhona Phase I, marking the first such award on the Valley Isle in 17 years.
The momentum stems largely from Act 279, which allocated a historic $600 million in general funds to DHHL in 2022 to specifically tackle its long-standing waitlist. However, even this substantial investment may not be sufficient, according to Hawaii Public Radio. DHHL's current plans for this fiscal year would exceed the appropriated amount by nearly $140 million mid-way through fiscal year 2024.
Looking Forward: Phases and Timeline
The Ka'uluokaha'i development represents the beginning of a multi-phase rollout scheduled over the next five years. As for the future phases, construction will continue with Increment II-D featuring 118 units slated for completion in summer 2027, followed by Increment II-E with 133 units in summer 2028, and Increment II-F with 151 units in summer 2029.
The community's strategic location offers practical advantages for families, positioned just across from the Kroc Center and the new Kualakai Skyline station. The $30 million construction phase will build 127 single-family residential lots along Maunakapu Street, providing convenient access to transportation and community resources.
Addressing Ongoing Challenges
While celebrating this success, DHHL leadership acknowledges the department's troubled past and ongoing challenges. DHHL Director Kali Watson emphasized the department's commitment to change: "When people look at the program in the past, they shake their head. We've been found negligent, breaching the trust. We're trying to switch that around. We want people to feel positive about this program."
The department has been exploring innovative approaches to address the massive waitlist, including rental programs and land acquisitions, though these have faced some pushback from beneficiaries who prefer traditional single-family homesteads. Many feel that offering rentals instead of focusing resources on building infrastructure for lots distracts from the purpose of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
As the 115 families in Ka'uluokaha'i prepare to move into their new homes, their joy represents both individual triumph and systemic progress. For families like Leslie Gohier's, the decades of waiting are finally over, while thousands more continue to hope their names will be called next. The Ka'uluokaha'i community stands as both achievement and promise—a tangible step forward in fulfilling the century-old commitment to return Native Hawaiians to their ancestral lands, one family at a time.
