First towers of 2,400-home Kalihi rebuild break ground

State officials and developers broke ground on Thursday for the first phase of the Mayor Wright Homes redevelopment in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood. The ceremony marked the start of construction on a 15-acre site bounded by King Street, Liliha Street, and Vineyard Boulevard.

Hawai'i Public Housing Authority and developer Highridge Costa are replacing the existing complex, which has operated for nearly 75 years. The new development will include more than 2,400 rental homes, ranging from studios to five-bedroom units. The project will also feature condominiums for sale, commercial space, and public housing units spread across 10 towers.

The design shifts away from the previous model by serving a mix of income levels. More than half of the units are reserved for tenants earning less than 80% of the area median income. Later phases will expand eligibility to households earning up to 100% of the area median income, a figure estimated at roughly $150,000 annually for a family of four. Displaced current residents are being relocated and hold priority for return.

Hakim Ouansafi, executive director of the housing authority, stated that the project aims to move beyond traditional public housing models. "Public housing should never mean second class housing," he said. He added that the state must avoid relying on past approaches to solve future housing problems.

Gov. Josh Green linked the project to broader public health goals, noting that stable housing allows residents to focus on education, food security, and medical care. "Housing provides health," Green said. Moe Mohanna, president of Highridge Costa Development Company, described the initiative as a legacy for the state.

The housing authority estimates Phase 1A will cost $333 million. The state originally estimated the entire 15-year redevelopment at $1.3 billion in 2017. The site will include four acres of public parks and recreational space and is located within walking distance of the planned Iwilei rail station.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi connected the housing build to the arrival of the Skyline rail line. The first building is scheduled to open in 2029. The full redevelopment is expected to take 15 years to complete.