- Affordable housing complex in Ma’ili includes 52 rental units, on-site support services -

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    Hale Makana O Ma’ili, a 52 unit multi-family affordable rental housing project, hosted a small blessing on Friday with internal development team members as tenants have begun moving in. The $22.7 million affordable housing project is expected to provide a safe, secure transitional and long-term rental housing option for families in the leeward community.

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The project, developed by Laulima Development LLC, a partnership between the nonprofit Hawaiian Community Development Board (HCDB), Pacific Development Group (PDG), and 3 Leaf Holdings is in response to rising homelessness, overcrowded households, and the lack of quality affordable housing opportunities on the Waianae leeward coast. It will provide on-site supportive services to create a safe, healthy and friendly environment.

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“During these extremely challenging times, the need for affordable housing becomes even more critical. It takes a collective effort and commitment between government and the private sector for projects like Hale Makana O Ma’ili to become a reality. 51 local families will now have a place to call home.” says Kali Watson, President and CEO of HCDB.

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"Families, especially those living in the Waianae community, will now be able to live affordably

in new and attractive housing that was delivered to improve the surrounding area." says Chris

Flaherty, CEO of 3 Leaf Holdings.

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The intent was to build a rental housing community that would blend in nicely with the surrounding neighborhood and give families more breathing room in a brand-new place to live in without having to pay more than 30% of their incomes. Demand has been strong. When the tenant application for this project became available, the waitlist immediately filled up with over 300 families applying and 90% of which were from the local area.

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Families are expecting to experience new opportunities living in this brand-new community. Tatiana Kamai is one such family member, who especially described her family’s move-in as “a fresh start in a place we are very proud to call home”. “We resided with ohana all our lives, so it is a dream to finally be on our own”.

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Hale Makana O Ma’ili was designed by Architects Hawaii Ltd. with construction by Moss & Associates LLC. The development consists of six buildings with 52 units of one, two- and three- bedroom apartments. It also has a playground with ample open space, electric vehicle charging stations, and bicycle storage stalls. The buildings are characterized as two-story garden style apartments and contain units that have a spacious layout and designed for families to live comfortably in a home they can take pride in. The new construction of this multi-family housing project was designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Homes Silver certifiable standard and utilizes solar photovoltaic energy.

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There is also a community resource center with an on-site laundry room, offices, kitchen, and a multi-purpose room for gathering space with wi-fi. The multi-purpose room features a beautiful mural by well-known local artist, Kamea Hadar, that fills the room with a spirit of connection to our Hawaiian culture. This community center will provide several resources for residents to access in hopes of attaining homeownership in the future. Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) has been hired as the project’s lead service provider and will operate and manage their social service programs in the center. The site will also have around-the-clock management staff, security surveillance, and one of the units will accommodate a resident manager through property management company Mark Development, Inc.

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Financing for the $22.7 million development included 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits allocated by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), as well as, the County of Honolulu’s Affordable Housing Program and National Housing Trust Fund. Additional financing partners included Bank of Hawaii and Hunt Capital Partners.