WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — In an ongoing effort to solve the state’s affordable housing crisis, Hawaii County broke ground on Tuesday for a new affordable workforce rental housing development in Waikoloa Village.
The new Na Hale Makoa will have 139 one-, two- and three-bedroom units serving households earning up to 140% of the Area Median Income, plus one resident manager’s unit, according to a release. Each unit will come with a washer/dryer, range, refrigerator, vinyl plank flooring, window coverings, ceiling fans, a private lanai and storage closet.
The pet-friendly community will also include a recreation center with a kitchen for meetings/gatherings, a resource and technology center with high-speed internet access, management office and keiki playground. Picnic areas and walking/biking paths will be throughout the area.
Construction will take just over a year with move-ins anticipated for the first quarter of 2026.
Applications will be accepted around Sept. 2025.
“Today marks a pivotal step forward in our commitment to addressing the affordable housing needs of our community. Na Hale Makoa represents more than just new buildings; it symbolizes our dedication to ensuring that working families have access to safe, affordable, and high-quality housing,” said County of Hawaii Mayor Mitch Roth in the release.
The county’s Office of Housing and Community Development selected Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation to develop the rental housing after a request for proposals in 2020.
“We have been diligently working with our development team and our state, county, and private financing partners on the Na Hale Makoa project since 2020. We appreciate their support and look forward to starting construction on this much-needed workforce housing development to help our working families in West Hawaii,” said Audrey Awaya, executive director of Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation.
The housing will be in the Kamakoa Nui subdivision on the northern end of Waikoloa Village. Approximately 10 acres is being leased to Kamakoa Nui Limited Partnership, the ownership entity, from the county for 68 years.
“By partnering with Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation and the Kamakoa Nui Limited Partnership, and utilizing county land effectively, we are not only providing homes but also fostering a stronger, more vibrant community. This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together towards a common goal of enhancing the quality of life for all our residents,” Roth said.
According to the release, the $84.5 million funding for the project is coming through the Hula Mae Multi-Family Revenue Bond Program, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and the Rental Housing Revolving Fund Program provided by the Hawaii Housing Finance Development Corporation, County of Hawaii Affordable Housing Production Program and 30 project-based vouchers awarded by the County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development.
Previous development on county-owned land within the Kamakoa Nui subdivision includes 185 homes and a 12-acre park. Future development will see hundreds more affordable rental and for-sale units, a library and a public school for the Waikoloa Village community.
A loop road and related infrastructure that will open vacant land within Kamakoa Nui for future development is also part of the picture.
“As we move forward with the Kamakoa Nui project, this next phase will not only expand housing options but also enhance community resources. By investing in essential infrastructure, we’re laying the groundwork for a vibrant and sustainable future where every resident has access to an affordable home where they can forge a path to a better future,” said County of Hawaii Housing Administrator Susan Kunz.
Information on Na Hale Makoa is available online.