Mayor Wright Homes Redevelopment Breaks Ground in Kalihi

Housing officials and community leaders gathered in Kalihi-Palama near downtown Honolulu this Thursday to officially launch construction on the first phase of the Mayor Wright Homes redevelopment, a project slated to be the biggest public housing initiative in Hawaii's history.

The effort is being led by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority alongside developer Highridge Costa. Their goal is to replace the existing complex, which sits on a 15-acre site along King Street, Liliha Street, and Vineyard Boulevard. The current structures there are nearly 75 years old, and the replacement plan is massive: the new development will contain seven times the number of homes currently available and will offer housing to a range of income levels, moving away from a focus solely on very low-income residents.

The timeline for this project began with a 2017 state estimate for the cost of the entire project, which was $1.3 billion. Now, Phase 1A is underway with an estimated cost of $333 million. Following this week's groundbreaking, the state is preparing for the next steps in a construction schedule that will last for years to come.

Plans for the site call for more than 2,400 rental units, ranging from studios to five-bedroom apartments. The development will also include condominiums for sale, commercial space, and public housing units, all organized across 10 towers. More than half of the units are designated for tenants earning less than 80 percent of the area median income. Later phases will accommodate households earning up to 100 percent of the area median income, which represents roughly $150,000 a year for a family of four. Current residents who are moved out for construction will be relocated and given priority to return later.

Officials emphasized the social impact of the project during the ceremony. Hakim Ouansafi, executive director of the housing authority, stated that the work is about changing how the state addresses housing needs. "It's not simply about breaking ground. It is about breaking barriers," he said, adding that the state cannot solve future housing problems by relying on past approaches. He also noted that the state cannot address future housing problems by relying on past approaches. "Public housing should never mean second class housing," Ouansafi said.

Governor Josh Green highlighted the connection between housing and public health. "Housing provides health," he said, noting that people with stable housing can focus on education, food security and health care. Moe Mohanna, president of Highridge Costa Development Company, praised the state for taking on an initiative of this size, saying, "What we are building here is a legacy."

Looking ahead, the project is designed to include four acres of public parks and recreational space. It is also planned to be within walking distance of the planned Iwilei rail station. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi tied the project to the arrival of the Skyline rail line, calling the combination historic and unprecedented for affordable housing.

Construction on the first building is scheduled to be completed by 2029, with the full redevelopment expected to take 15 years. The housing authority estimates Phase 1A will cost $333 million. Further information about the development is available at mayorwrighthomes.com.