Kaua‘i County Council approves development plan to grow affordable housing in Kapa‘a

Kaua‘i County Council unanimously approved a proposed plan to redevelop an affordable housing community in Kapa‘a, which is expected to grow the inventory from 36 to more than 100 homes for kamaʻāina.

The plan, proposed by Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority and Highridge Costa Development Company, will take the development, which was built in 1966, reimagine it to offer 124 affordable rentals — preserving the original mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units — for residents earning between 30 to 60% of the area median income.

Construction is set to begin in late 2025 and is expected to be completed in early 2027.

“Access to affordable housing is a challenge across the island, and our Kapa‘a Homes project represents the first of several sites that will add direly needed inventory to our neighbor island communities,” said HPHA Executive Director Hakim Ouansafi. “This project would not be possible without the support of and partnership with our elected leaders, the planning department and countless others who recognize how critical this initiative is for the people of Kaua‘i.”

The project’s design will honor the architectural themes of Kapa‘a to blend into the existing community while refreshing and modernizing the property. Each unit will feature a cooking range, refrigerator, window coverings and provisions for cable and internet access.

“The redevelopment of Kapa‘a Homes offers hope to our residents,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “Not only is this a much-needed reinvestment, but the homes will complement the character of Kapa‘a Town and help to preserve our sense of place. Our county is grateful to Governor Green, our state legislature, the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority, Highridge Costa, Form Partners and all involved in this exciting project that will serve and benefit Kaua‘i families for many generations.”

In 2023, state Rep. Nadine Nakamura, whose district includes Kapa‘a and who serves as Majority Leader in the House, introduced a bill to provide $2 million in planning and design funds to redevelop this property. She said she was pleased the state, Highridge Costa and the county were working together to address the affordable housing need.

Kapa‘a Homes will also offer on-site amenities, including a community room, outdoor courtyard, barbecue areas, a playground, outdoor walking paths, community gardens and a central laundry facility. Once built, residents will be able to meet with leasing and property management on-site.

“Safety, comfort and livability are our guiding tenets when designing the enhanced Kapa‘a Homes community,” said Moe Mohanna, president of Highridge Costa Development Company. “We strive to build communities where residents can grow and thrive.”

In December 2023, project representatives met with current residents, the surrounding community, county and state department leaders, and elected officials to discuss the Kapa‘a Homes and gather feedback.

Relocation professionals will work with current Kapa‘a Homes residents to find a suitable replacement home during construction and receive a voucher to pay the same rent as they did at Kapa‘a Homes. All residents in good standing will have priority to return to the new community and lease a new unit using the voucher to pay the same rent as they did before.

The Kapa‘a Homes redevelopment is part of Ka Lei Momi (the Pearl Garland), a project from Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority, which will replace and create more than 10,000 affordable housing units at nine properties throughout the state. Highridge Costa, a seasoned affordable and workforce housing development company, is the master developer for Ka Lei Momi and has partnered with Form Partners, RMA Architects, and Munekiyo Hiraga to deliver the reimagined Kapa‘a Homes community.

For more information, visit kapaa-homes.com/.