All of the units will be 2 bedroom, 2 bath units at 914 square feet. The units will include air conditioning, refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and disposal.

Yes, this is a pet friendly community.

Residency at Hale Makana O Uluwehi is reserved exclusively for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries who are on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) waitlist and meet the income eligibility requirements of 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or below. Participating in this housing opportunity will not affect their placement on the waitlist—they will retain their position and remain fully eligible for future DHHL offerings.

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All units at Hale Makana O Uluwehi will be reserved for individuals and families earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Income limits based on household size are provided in the table below. If a household’s income increases during their tenancy—through a raise or other change—they will not lose their home or be asked to move out.

Click here to see: Maximum Income by Household Chart

100% of the units at Hale Makana O Uluwehi are covered by a project-based voucher. All households will be responsible for paying only 30% of their adjusted monthly income, minus a utility allowance.  The remaining portion of the rent is covered by the voucher program. This structure is designed to help ensure that housing remains affordable and manageable for your household.

To keep things simple and affordable, residents are only responsible for paying their own electricity bill.

There will be sufficient on-site parking for all residents and guests with 141 parking stalls available.

Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2025, with completion anticipated the following Fall. Residents can look forward to moving in shortly after construction is finished.

If you're interested in applying and staying informed about the project's progress, we encourage you to submit your information on our Interest List page. This ensures you'll receive updates, including when applications become available.

Please note: Only individuals on the Hawaiian Homes waitlist are eligible to apply, and applicants will be selected based on their position on that list. We strongly recommend confirming that you're on the DHHL waitlist to ensure you're considered for a rental unit when the time comes.

Applications are expected to open in spring 2026, approximately five months before construction is completed. Until then, we’ll continue providing updates and guidance to the beneficiary community. We’re also working closely with DHHL staff to support the waitlist process, application intake, and household income verification.

Many beneficiaries have been waiting decades for a home on the Hawaiian Homes waitlist. In the meantime, many are living in overcrowded households, substandard housing, or are experiencing homelessness. Others face eviction, foreclosure, or other serious financial hardships. Too often, they are passed over on the waitlist due to not meeting financial qualifications.

The new rental units at Hale Makana O Uluwehi will offer a stable, affordable place to live—specifically for Native Hawaiians on the DHHL waitlist. Unlike other affordable housing projects that are open to the general public, these units are reserved exclusively for waitlisted beneficiaries, selected strictly by their position on the list. There’s no competition with the broader community, ensuring fairness and access.

Residents will have the opportunity to live in safe, high-quality housing while paying no more than 30% of their income on rent—the gold standard for housing affordability. This not only improves their quality of life but also helps them save money and plan for the future. For many families, this is a critical stepping stone toward homeownership on Hawaiian Home Lands.

What sets this project apart is its holistic approach. In addition to affordable housing, Hale Makana O Uluwehi will include a community resource center designed to support beneficiaries on their journey toward financial stability and homeownership. The center will host a range of free services, such as:

• Financial literacy education and credit counseling
  

• Employment training and job placement
  

• Case management and social services
  

• Guidance on DHHL programs and processes

• Support with lease readiness, successorship, and communication with DHHL offices
  

• Connections to trusted lenders and pathways to affordable home financing

Importantly, the community resource center will be open not only to residents of Hale Makana O Uluwehi, but also to the broader community of DHHL beneficiaries, providing free assistance to any beneficiary in need. It will serve as a bridge between the community and DHHL.

Together, the housing and support services at Hale Makana O Uluwehi aim to uplift Native Hawaiian families, create lasting stability, and empower beneficiaries to take the next step toward owning a home on Hawaiian Home Lands.

Additionally, the community resource center will include a preschool, providing early childhood education and care for local families in a safe and nurturing environment. Kupuna care services are planned next to the preschool, creating a multigenerational environment that supports both keiki and kūpuna. The center will also feature a commercial kitchen with a dining area, designed to continue serving as a vital meal service hub for those in need. Beyond daily meal preparation, the kitchen will support job training and workforce development opportunities, host community events and nutrition workshops, and provide emergency meal services during times of crisis. It will also be a collaborative space—partnering with local organizations such as churches, schools, shelters, and nonprofits—to provide prepared meals and serve as a central food prep hub for programs like Meals on Wheels, school backpack initiatives, and kupuna meal delivery services.

We are committed to partnering with Native Hawaiian individuals and businesses throughout the construction of the project, as well as during its ongoing maintenance and operations. If you’re interested in employment or business opportunities, we invite you to visit the INTEREST LIST tab above and share how you’d like to get involved.

Our project is committed to environmental sustainability and long-term affordability. We are incorporating solar PV systems to power both common areas and individual units, helping reduce electricity costs and our carbon footprint. Homes will include energy-efficient appliances and low-flow water fixtures to conserve energy and water. The landscape design features drought-tolerant plants to minimize irrigation needs, and community gardens will promote local food production and support a healthy, self-sustaining lifestyle for residents.