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Commission greenlights water and housing steps: Wahhouli wells MOA, Hawaii Kai land acquisition and Lanai backbone funding negotiation
Summary
The Hawaiian Homes Commission approved a MOA with Maui County for Wahhouli wells, authorized applying affordable housing credits to acquire Hawaii Kai Marina Lot 10A for 80–90 multifamily homestead units, and authorized negotiation of a MOA to access $8.3M in county set‑aside funds for Lanai shared infrastructure.
The Hawaiian Homes Commission approved several items the commission said will unlock water and housing capacity across the islands.
Wahhouli wells MOA (Maui). Land Development staff presented a memorandum of agreement with the County of Maui Department of Water Supply to develop the Wahhouli wells and associated transmission infrastructure to provide advanced water credits that would support DHHL housing and agricultural projects in Wuli, Kamalani and Pulehu. Colani Fonda said the MOA will speed housing projects by reducing delays created by off‑site infrastructure and will include reporting and monitoring commitments from the county and the water utility. Commissioners approved the MOA.
Hawaii Kai acquisition (Oahu). The commission authorized DHHL to apply affordable housing credits toward acquiring a 2.88‑acre Hawaii Kai parcel (Marina Lot 10A) from Bishop Estate for $2.5 million plus 20 affordable housing credits. Land Development said conceptual designs show 80–90 multifamily homestead units are feasible on the site, filling a gap on Oahu where DHHL holds a small share of land inventory. Commissioners approved the authorization to apply credits and to proceed with acquisition steps.
Lanai backbone (shared infrastructure). Commissioners authorized staff to begin negotiations with Maui County on a memorandum of agreement that would make available roughly $8.316 million in general excise tax set‑aside funds to develop shared backbone infrastructure on Lanai (water, power, wastewater) to unlock about 75 homestead lots and coordinate off‑site work with an adjacent county affordable housing project. The chair was authorized to start negotiations and return the MOA to the commission for final approval.
What this means: The approvals are intended to accelerate housing production by pairing water resources and off‑site infrastructure with land acquisition and funding partnerships. Commissioners stressed the need for monitoring, clear reporting from water utilities, and work to make sure advanced water credits and county funds translate into built homesteads and agricultural lots.
Sources: Presentations by Colani Fonda (Land Development), Elijah Davidson (Hawaii Kai acquisition) and staff briefings on E1–E3; commission recorded votes.
