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On October 20, 2026, Council Chair Tommy Waters hosted a "Council Conversations" episode to recap the Honolulu City Council's housing initiatives over the past five years. The session highlighted the council's focus on "Kama Aina" housing (homes for local families) and detailed the approval of 27 housing projects, creating 10,811 homes.
Aloha and welcome back to Council Conversations. In this episode, we take a look at the work the council has been doing to support Kama Aina housing. Homes built for the people who live and work right here in Honolulu. Over the past five years, your city council has approved 27 new housing projects, creating 10,811 homes for local families. These homes include rentals for low-income residents, workforce apartments, and new homes for sale. Because your council views Kama housing as finding equitable solutions while promoting community-centered growth that supports local families and ensuring sustainable land use. Take Parkway Eka Pole, which opened last December. The council approved the development that built 401 rental homes and three preschool classrooms, a first of its kind concept designed to support young families in their growing community. In Kaka'ako, the Wayacoa project, which will deliver a mix of 1,032 homes, of which 620 will be affordable under the city's affordable income restrictions, providing more homes in urban metropolitan Honolulu, also in Kakaako. The City Council approved 621 affordable housing rentals in Kohu Kaina Commons development. In Mo'ili, Huile Place will give 1,005 families the ability to achieve the dream of home ownership. The council worked to ensure that 603 of these homes will be priced at affordable housing ranges. Also in Mo'ili, the council approved 278 affordable rental units at Hale Moili and another 104 units at Hale Makana O Moili. In Waipahu, Makai of the historic Arakawa Sugar Mill Smokestack. The council approved the Kiawalau redevelopment. This will bring 537 new affordable rental units so families can stay in their community. These are just a few of the 27 projects that the council has supported, improved and approved. The council continues to push for home development, even as many projects wait for state financing to move forward. Seeing our local families struggle or leave our island drives us to keep finding ways to create more homes for our Kama Aina. I'm Council Chair Tommy Waters, and this is Council Conversation.