Honolulu’s skyline could be in for another growth spurt. Howard Hughes Corp. has asked state regulators for permission to make the planned Mahana tower in Kakaʻako's Ward Village taller, a move that would add 111 condominium units and significantly boost density on the block just north of Victoria Ward Park. The request triggers a fresh round of formal review from the state agency that polices Kakaʻako development.
The Hawaii Community Development Authority has issued a notice for an amended planned development permit and set presentation and modification hearings for March 4 and March 5, 2026, with a decision-making hearing slated for May 6, 2026. The agency has posted application materials, instructions for submitting public testimony, and is still preparing its staff report, according to the Hawaii Community Development Authority.
As reported by Pacific Business News, Howard Hughes wants to push Mahana higher to fit in the extra 111 homes, with presales expected to kick off later in 2026. That report also notes the site was cleared after the developer demolished the Ward Gateway (Ward Centre) retail complex in 2021 to make room for the new tower.
Plan change would add density
Mahana was first rolled out as a roughly 340-unit condominium tower, with substantial amenity space and ground-floor retail, pitched as the 14th and final residential building in the Ward Village master plan. The requested increase of 111 units would bring the total to about 451 homes and meaningfully reshape the block’s planned density, according to project materials from Ward Village.
Where Mahana fits in the master plan
Ward Village is a 60-acre master-planned neighborhood led by The Howard Hughes Corp., which has multiple towers either under construction or in predevelopment across Kakaʻako. Company documents show recent projects such as Ulana, designated as workforce housing, along with The Park and Kalae, are moving forward, underscoring that Mahana is the latest tweak in a long-running buildout, per Howard Hughes Corp..
Next steps and what to watch
HCDA’s hearing schedule will give nearby residents, advocacy groups and Honolulu officials a formal venue to weigh in on the proposed changes. The May decision-making hearing will decide whether the amendment gets the green light. If HCDA approves it, Howard Hughes could move ahead toward marketing the project and starting presales later in 2026, as Pacific Business News reported.
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