Parkway Village at Kapolei: Transforming City Land into Affordable Homes
What a difference a year makes. In September 2023, vacant City land in Kapolei became the site of a groundbreaking ceremony for an ambitious vision: Parkway Village at Kapolei. Now, just 15 months later, this transformative project is complete—a milestone that redefines what is possible in affordable housing, education, and sustainability.
The success of Parkway Village is a testament to collaboration. The Kobayashi Group partnered with the City & County of Honolulu, Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), Āhē Group, and other key players to bring this vision to life. The project also received financial backing from HHFDC in the form of a $36 million Rental Housing Revolving Fund Loan, $112 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and $98 million in Hula Mae Multi-Family Tax-Exempt Bonds.
🏘 401 Affordable Homes in Record Time
Parkway Village addresses Hawai‘i’s pressing need for affordable housing, providing homes for individuals and families earning 30–60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). With rents starting as low as $597 for a studio, these homes offer stability and opportunity for over 400 families. Remarkably, the $199 million project was completed in just over a year, demonstrating the power of collaboration and urgency.
🌿 More Than Housing—A Community
Designed to foster a sense of connection and well-being, Parkway Village features green spaces, recreation rooms, 641 parking stalls, and 10 laundry facilities. Every detail has been thoughtfully planned to create a vibrant and supportive environment.
🎓 Investing in Early Education
A hallmark of Parkway Village is Hawai‘i’s first privately developed public charter preschool, with six classrooms operated by Kamehameha Schools and Partners in Development Foundation. These facilities will serve up to 120 keiki, addressing a critical need for early childhood education in West O‘ahu and helping to shape a brighter future for Hawai‘i’s youngest residents.
🌱 A Model for Sustainability
In addition to housing and education, Parkway Village incorporates sustainability with a hydroponic Freight Farm. This innovative feature provides keiki with hands-on experience in farming and healthy living, further enriching the community’s impact.
City-Owned Land Powers Affordable Housing
Parkway Village demonstrates how the City & County of Honolulu is working to address Hawai‘i’s housing crisis. Through a competitive bid process, the City made the Kapolei land available to private developers under a long-term ground lease with the requirement that affordability be maintained for 75 years. So far, this initiative has resulted in over 18 acres of City-owned land being made available for the development of nearly 850 affordable rental units.
By making land available and fostering public-private partnerships, the City ensures that projects like Parkway Village are not just possible but successful. Completed in record time, the project highlights what can be achieved when urgency meets innovation.