Administration reports progress on West Oʻahu road project, Lehi parcel agreement and Hilo Hale Kawili selection

Administration provided a quarterly update on land-related strategic projects and partnerships, highlighting coordination on a West Oʻahu infrastructure project, execution of a Lehi parcel development agreement and selection of a lessee for the Hilo Hale Kawili Apartments.

Director Shibata briefed the committee that West Oʻahu Administration continues coordinating with the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA) and the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) on a $35,000,000 roadway and infrastructure project at West Oʻahu and related future housing development in the University District. Shibata said a more formal update is planned for the next committee meeting in May.

Shibata said the Board of Regents had authorized the administration to enter a development agreement and an option to ground-lease with MW Group in September 2024, and that administration executed that development agreement on Dec. 16, 2024.

On Hilo Hale Kawili Apartments, Shibata said administration issued an invitation to submit proposals in April 2024, conducted interviews in December, and selected a lessee in February 2025. The selected lessee would privately own, operate and maintain Hilo Hale Kawili Apartments with eligibility for university students, faculty and staff; administration said it is negotiating a transition plan and intends to present authorization for a long-term ground lease to the Regents in May.

Regents asked for additional detail on consultant fees and requested the land initiatives item appear earlier on future agendas to ensure fuller discussion before final approvals. Administration agreed to provide deeper material and to return in May with formal requests as needed.