Vision
At Hale Makana O ‘Uluwehi, we recognize the deep need for housing options that reflect both the realities and the hopes of our Native Hawaiian community. This reimagined project seeks to provide not just affordable rentals, but a supportive, culturally grounded space for ʻohana to grow, prepare for homeownership, and remain in our homelands. Our vision is shaped by community needs, history, and a collective commitment to uplift our lāhui.
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The former Ulu Ke Kukui site was constructed in 2007 and operated under lease from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. As the lease approached its expiration in 2019, DHHL prepared for the property's return by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP-20-HHL-002) to redevelop and manage the site as a multi-family housing project.
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The redevelopment aims to align with DHHL’s mission of creating affordable housing options for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The vision includes transforming the site into a rental community for low-income beneficiaries—especially those working toward financial readiness for homestead lot homeownership. Residents would also gain access to educational and support services to help guide their path to owning a home.
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Oʻahu faces a severe shortage of affordable housing, especially along the Waiʻanae Coast, where poverty rates are significantly higher than the island average. Decades of reports and planning documents confirm this unmet need. This project is designed to respond directly to that challenge by creating one of the few affordable rental options that also provides homeownership pathways.
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The 2014 DHHL Beneficiaries Study reveals that over 8,200 applicants on Oʻahu are seeking residential options, with nearly 16% preferring rental or rent-to-own models. More than a third of statewide applicants indicated a willingness to live in townhouses or duplexes. Hale Makana O ‘Uluwehi will meet that demand by converting the former transitional shelter into a space dedicated entirely to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.
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Awarded to the Hawaiian Community Development Board (HCDB) in 2020, the project has secured financing and is expected to begin construction in Fall 2025. The plan includes 40 two-bedroom, two-bathroom units designed for families of 2–5, targeting those earning 30%–80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). On-site features will include administrative offices, a childcare center, resource rooms, and classroom spaces for job training, financial counseling, and homeownership education — making Hale Makana O ‘Uluwehi more than just a housing complex, but a place of opportunity and growth.
