FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Hawaiian Homelands housing project proposed for Kalaheo Hillside in Kailua is off the table

HONOLULU — Honolulu City Council Zoning and Planning Committee Chair Esther Kiaʻāina and Council Chair Tommy Waters announced that the Hawaiian Homelands Housing Project proposed for Kalaheo Hillside in Kailua is no longer under consideration by the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  In a recent letter from Kali Watson, Chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, the Chair stated that while the Department “sincerely appreciates the City’s efforts to assist us in providing homesteads to our beneficiaries. After careful consideration and due diligence, we have determined the extremely expansive soil conditions at the Former Kalaheo Elementary School Site make it unsuitable for homestead development.”

“While I am disappointed that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has determined that the land at Kalaheo Hillside is unsuitable for homestead development, I am pleased that the Department invested its time and resources to explore whether homestead opportunities were a possibility at the 10-acre site. I remain committed to explore other lands in Kailua and elsewhere on the Windward side for Hawaiian homestead development. I believe that any opportunity to increase housing opportunities for Native Hawaiians benefits all of us because it decreases the overall demand for housing.” said Councilmember Kiaʻāina.

In 2024, the Honolulu City Council passed Resolution 24-151, CD1, which authorized the conveyance of the former Kalaheo Elementary School property in Kailua to the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The measure required the Department to conduct due diligence prior to the conveyance to determine the suitability the site for proposed development, including the preparation of a Preliminary Engineering Report detailing topography, soil conditions, and other pertinent information.

“Despite this setback, the Honolulu City Council stands ready to help the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands with advancing housing opportunities for Native Hawaiians. Whenever the City can collaborate with state, federal, and private partners on housing opportunities, we should do so.  I look forward to working with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to explore opportunities in my district and elsewhere on Oʻahu,” said Council Chair Waters.

For copies of the Letter from the State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Resolution, visit:
Letter from the State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Resolution 24-151, CD1

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