Read the full stored bill text
HR77
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.R. NO.
77
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE RESOLUTION
urging the Department of Land and Natural Resources to
transfer parcels that make up the east kapolei transit-oriented development
project to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and urging
the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to partner with the
Hawaii Community Development Authority to facilitate the development of
non-housing community development portions of the project
.
����
WHEREAS, the
Honolulu City Council adopted the East Kapolei Neighborhood Transit‑Oriented
Development Plan in December 2020 to guide long‑term land use, zoning,
and infrastructure decisions for communities surrounding the Kualakai (East
Kapolei), Keoneae (University of Hawaii � West Oahu), and Honouliuli (Hoopili)
rail stations; and
����
WHEREAS, the
Department of Land and Natural Resources owns several parcels within the plan area,
including the following tax map keys:
����
(1)
�
(1) 9‑1‑016:008;
����
(2)
�
(1) 9‑1‑018:008;
����
(3)
�
(1) 9‑1‑018:014; and
����
(4)
�
(1) 9‑1‑017:097; and
����
WHEREAS, the
East Kapolei Strategic Development Plan, published in December 2020 by R.M.
Towill Corporation for the Department of Land and Natural Resources,
conceptualized development alternatives for these parcels, which collectively
form the East Kapolei Transit‑Oriented Development Project (Project),
consisting of three non‑contiguous sites known as the Keoneae Station
Area, Kualakai Parkway West, and Kualakai Parkway East; and
����
WHEREAS, the
Project contemplates a land exchange with D.R. Horton-Schuler Homes, LLC, in
which the Keoneae Station Area site of the Project would be expanded by two
parcels with the following tax map keys:
����
(1)
�
(1) 9-1-017:193 (por.); and
����
(2)
�
(1) 9-1-017:163; and
����
WHEREAS, the Department
of Land and Natural Resources conducted public scoping meetings in November
2022 and September 2024, and the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Project was published in the July 23, 2025, edition of "The Environmental
Notice"; and
����
WHEREAS, the
proposed Project includes approximately one thousand affordable rental units,
in addition to proposals for facilities supporting commercial, retail, hotel,
medical, light industrial, and business park uses, and a park‑and‑ride
facility for the Keoneae rail station; and
����
WHEREAS, significant
infrastructure improvements will be required to ensure the Project's
connectivity, utility access, and ability to support the proposed housing and other
community uses; and
����
WHEREAS, the
Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation is statutorily authorized to
plan, develop, construct, and finance housing projects, including mixed‑use
development, and regularly procures and oversees developers for projects on state‑owned
land, including the Front Street Apartments Redevelopment Project, Pohukaina
Commons, and Kahului Civic Center Mixed-Use Complex; and
����
WHEREAS, the
Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation has financing capabilities,
including the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, which may be used for
infrastructure and predevelopment costs, and its Executive Director also serves
as co‑chair of the Statewide Transit‑Oriented Development Council;
and
����
WHEREAS, the
Hawaii Community Development Authority has authority under Act 184, Session
Laws of Hawaii 2022, and Act 252, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, to establish
transit‑oriented development infrastructure improvement program areas to
facilitate needed infrastructure in county-designated transit-oriented
development zones; and
����
WHEREAS, the Hawaii
Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Hawaii Community Development
Authority, and University of Hawaii � West Oahu are jointly pursuing another transit-oriented
development‑based housing project in the same region, demonstrating the
effectiveness of coordinated agency responsibilities; and
����
WHEREAS, this
body encourages state agencies to align responsibilities with their core
functions, as demonstrated by the transfer of the Pohukaina Commons parcel from
the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Hawaii Housing Finance and
Development Corporation under Executive Order 4533 for educational and
affordable housing purposes, enabling the Development Corporation to procure a
developer that is now subdividing the property to provide a portion to the
Department of Education; and
����
WHEREAS, the Hawaii
Housing Finance and Development Corporation is the state agency best positioned
to undertake the East Kapolei Transit‑Oriented Development Project due to
its core housing‑related mission, relevant expertise, and established
partnership with the Hawaii Community Development Authority for infrastructure
and mixed‑use development; now, therefore,
����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Land and
Natural Resources is urged to transfer the parcels that make up its East
Kapolei Transit‑Oriented Development Project to the Hawaii Housing
Finance and Development Corporation; and
����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation is urged
to share revenue generated from the Project with the Department of Land and
Natural Resources; and
����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation is urged
to partner with the Hawaii Community Development Authority to advance non‑housing
community development and lead planning and infrastructure construction across
the entire Project area; and
����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Executive Director of
Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; and Executive Director of
Hawaii Community Development Authority.
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
�
DLNR;
HHFDC; East Kapolei Transit-Oriented Development Project; Parcel Transfers