OHA, DHHL Agree to Develop Kakaʻako Makai Housing
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will work together on housing in Kakaʻako Makai.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Remote Work
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The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands have agreed to develop housing in Kakaʻako Makai. Separately, DHHL has offered leases for 24 scattered lots under its modular homes pilot program.
Why it matters
The agreement could expand housing options for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries on Oʻahu and advance a shared land-use effort between the two agencies. The pilot program offers another route to housing across the state.
DHHL has offered leases for 24 scattered lots under its modular homes pilot, including 16 in Kapolei and eight in Waiʻanae. The number of housing units planned for Kakaʻako Makai and their construction timeline have not been disclosed.
The players
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA)
A Hawaiʻi state agency that manages funds and programs benefiting Native Hawaiians.
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL)
A Hawaiʻi state agency responsible for administering homestead lands for Native Hawaiians.
Ikaika Anderson
A former Hawaiʻi lieutenant governor who was welcomed to OHA as a trustee-elect.
Kai Kahele
The current chair of OHA, who is leading the discussion on selecting a new OHA chief executive.
The details
OHA and DHHL reached an agreement to develop housing in Kakaʻako Makai. DHHL is also offering leases for 24 scattered lots under a modular homes pilot program, with 16 lots in Kapolei and eight in Waiʻanae.
Timeline
Dec. 8: First meeting of the new OHA board.
Dec. 10: OHA trustees are expected to select a new CEO.
Market Landscape
The agreement and pilot program extend the homestead framework of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 into new development and modular housing. Their scope will indicate whether this approach expands homestead access beyond traditional lot allocations.
Native Hawaiian beneficiaries may gain access to new housing options if the Kakaʻako Makai development and modular homes pilot move forward. Residents in Kapolei and Waiʻanae could be among those offered leases under the pilot program.
The takeaway
Housing access for Native Hawaiians depends on how quickly agencies convert agreements and pilot offers into built homes. Watching the next OHA board meetings and DHHL lease awards will show how those plans move forward.
Further reading
For related coverage of how work is changing across the islands, see Remote Work in Hawaii.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hawaiinewsnow.
Live Poll
Do you support state plans to build housing for Native Hawaiian families in Kakaʻako Makai?
