The City Plans to Add 2,500 Affordable Homes in Iwilei

Rendering: Courtesy of DHLM. Conceptual rendering prepared by EAH Housing and the City and County of Honolulu. This image is for illustrative purposes only and reflects a preliminary design concept that is subject to further review, refinement, and approval.

The City and County of Honolulu plans to transform the Iwilei-Kūwili district into a mixed-use, transit-connected neighborhood with more than 2,500 affordable homes, centered around the future Kūwili Skyline Station. It recently completed the acquisition of 519 Ka‘aahi Street for $2.7 million, expanding public ownership in the area as part of a long-term strategy to create sites for affordable housing, public spaces and community amenities.

“Honolulu has a unique opportunity to create an entirely new neighborhood in the heart of our urban core—one that makes it easier for local families to live near jobs, transit, parks and everyday services,” said Kevin D. Auger, director of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management.

The existing Iwilei Center is expected to be demolished in 2027, and the Kūwili Skyline Station is targeted to open in 2031.

Rendering: Courtesy of HART

Beyond housing, planners are looking to incorporate parks, improved streets, drainage upgrades and walkable community spaces into the district’s future.

Rendering: Courtesy of HART

“The City’s overall goal for the project is to fundamentally transform this former industrial area into a well-designed community that expands affordable housing options, strengthens public spaces, improves mobility, and delivers lasting benefits for both today’s residents and future generations,” Auger said.

Kayla Luke Colon is the 2026 summer editorial intern for HONOLULU Magazine and a journalism student at UC Irvine.