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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
63 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE 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 Senate 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.
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OFFERED BY: |
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DLNR; HHFDC; East Kapolei Transit-Oriented Development Project; Parcel Transfers