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Commission approves redevelopment of Uluke K'kui into 40 affordable rental units and resource center
Summary
The commission approved assignment of development rights and a 65-year general lease for the Uluke K'kui redevelopment in M'a'ili to Ikenakea Uluvehi LLC, converting existing rental buildings into 40 two-bedroom units targeted at 80% area median income and a Kuhio Kako resource center for wraparound services.
The Hawaiian Homes Commission on June 16 approved the assignment of the development agreement and issuance of a 65-year general lease for the Uluke K'kui rental housing redevelopment in M'a'ili, Wai'anae, O'ahu. The project, led by Ikenakea Uluvehi LLC (HCDB as nonprofit member), will rehabilitate the existing site into 40 larger two-bedroom, two-bath units intended for beneficiaries at or below 80% of area median income and will add a community resource center to provide workforce, wellness and homeownership readiness services.
Linda Chin, acting administrator for LMD, asked the commission to approve two items: the assignment and assumption of development agreement interest from Hawaiian Community Development Board to Ikenakea Uluvehi LLC, and the issuance of a 65-year general lease to that LLC. Keegan Flaherty, project manager for the developer, described the financing package (HHFDC, bank participation and other commitments), the planned rehabilitation scope (combining small units into 40 two-bedroom units with solar PV, air conditioning and new appliances) and a timeline that anticipates construction drawings and permits in mid-2025 and a roughly 12-month rehabilitation timeframe.
The redevelopment will create a Kuhio Kako resource center that the developer says will provide workforce readiness, health and wellness, kupuna and ohana support, housing-preparation services and a certified commercial kitchen for training and economic development. The project team described acceptable eligibility criteria, including selecting residents from the DHHL wait list and income limits at or below 80% AMI.
Public commenters and nearby association leaders welcomed the project but raised governance questions and local-equity concerns. Jan Makepa, a Ka'poulehu-area beneficiary who said they were awarded an undivided interest lease in a separate project, praised the outreach but warned that many applicants would need more hands-on guidance after award: "there's a lot of apprehension out there...there's a lot of misleading information, not necessarily by the department, but from social media," Makepa said.
Other speakers from Waianae Valley requested the project be structured as short-term or revolving rentals to prepare beneficiaries for homeownership, and suggested that if DHHL grants gratis status or very long lease terms to the development, related lessees or beneficiary groups should be considered for similar treatment; commissioners noted those policy questions and said they would be addressed separately.
After discussion, the commission voted to approve the assignment and the 65-year general lease. Commissioners asked staff to ensure required beneficiary consultation steps for tenant selection, clarify the gratis/long-term lease policy questions separately, and to report back on permit and construction timelines.
