×

Breaking News Alerts

We'd like to send you alerts when breaking news happens. Hide this Message

Press "Allow" to Activate

Search
Aloha, !
My Profile | Logout
Aloha, Guest!
Login | Register
  • News Topics
    • Front Page
    • Maui News
    • Business
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Maui Wildfires
    • Maui Election
    • Food & Dining
    • Real Estate
    • Hawai‘i Journalism Initiative
    • Crime Statistics
    • Local Sports
    • Opinion
  • Weather & Surf
    • Weather Forecast
    • Surf Report
  • Lifestyle & Culture
    • Maui Arts & Entertainment
    • Food & Dining
    • Obituaries
    • Real Estate
    • Visitors' Guide
  • Events Calendar
    • Upcoming Maui Events
    • Events Map
    • Post an Event
  • Job Listings
    • Maui Jobs
    • Recent Job Listings
    • Job Alerts
    • Post a Job
  • Special Sections
    • Hawaii Journalism Initiative
    • IMUA Discovery Garden
    • Medical Minute
  • × Close Menu
  • About Maui Now
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Get the App
  • Advertising
  • Meet the Team
Choose Your Island:
  • Kauai
  • Maui
  • Big Island
  • LOADING...
Copyright © 2025 Pacific Media Group
All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy | About Our Ads

Maui Now
Search
Aloha, !
My Profile | Logout
Aloha, Guest!
Login | Register
    Maui Now
  • Sections
  • Maui News
  • Wildfires
  • Business
  • Weather
  • Surf
  • Entertainment
  • Visitors' Guide
  • Jobs
  • Obituaries
  • HJI

Real Estate

Groundbreaking of infrastructure for planned Puʻunani subdivision provides hope for Maui DHHL waitlist beneficiaries

By Wendy Osher
May 24, 2023 · 7:03 PM UTC
* Updated May 25, 2023 · 4:33 PM
Play
Listen to this Article
2 minutes
Loading Audio... Article will play after ad...
Playing in :00
A
A
A

Aerial showing future site of Puʻunani subdivision. PC: file DHHL (2020)

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, marking the start of a $17 million capital improvement project to install infrastructure for the planned Puʻunani subdivision in Waikapū.

The project will provide infrastructure in support of the subdivision, which will comprise 161 residential lots for DHHL native Hawaiian beneficiaries. This includes 137 turn-key homes and 24 improved vacant lots. 

DHHL reports the funding is the first from the $600 million appropriated under Act 279 to serve beneficiaries on the DHHL waitlist.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

A Final Environmental Assessment for water system storage improvements was published in October 2022. That portion of the project was projected to cost $4.2 million, according to an FEA document.

The estimated direct project construction cost for the subdivision was estimated at $72.3 million for lot development, installation of infrastructure, and construction of turn-key homes. That estimate was included in the subdivision’s 2020 Final Environmental Assessment.

The subdivision will be located mauka of the Honoapiʻilani Highway, between the Waiolani and Kehalani subdivisions.

Pu’unani Homestead Subdivision Water System Storage Improvements. Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN and the GIS user community. Prepared by Muekiyo Hiraga for DHHL.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Dowling Company, Inc. will work on grading, construction of roads, and utility improvements for the homestead community. Project improvements include internal roadways, potable water, sewer, drainage detention basin, utility connections, and roadway frontage improvements along Honoapiʻilani Highway. 

DHHL reports construction is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the first of 137 turn-key homes expected to be offered in the third quarter of 2025, pending the completion of an additional water tank. 

DHHL reportedly acquired an approximately 48-acre parcel in Waikapū in June 2019 that would become the future Puʻunani Homestead Subdivision based on an agreement to transfer Affordable Housing Credits to the developer.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair Kali Watson said the Department “will need to continue to explore these types of opportunities to execute on the Hawaiian Home Commission Act’s fiduciary commitment to put Hawaiian families in homes.” 

A Final Environmental Assessment for the subdivision was published in 2020. At the time, DHHL reported that upon project competition, the Residential lots would be offered to Waiohuli Undivided Interest lessees in their original selection order based on a 2019 HHC decision allowing the relocation of these leases; and any remaining lots would be offered to the Maui Island Residential Waiting List.

  • Puʻunani Homestead Subdivision groundbreaking. PC: DHHL (5.24.23)
  • Puʻunani Homestead Subdivision groundbreaking. PC: DHHL (5.24.23)
  • Puʻunani Homestead Subdivision groundbreaking. PC: DHHL (5.24.23)
  • Puʻunani Homestead Subdivision groundbreaking. PC: DHHL (5.24.23)
  • Puʻunani Homestead Subdivision groundbreaking. PC: DHHL (5.24.23)

*This story was updated with visuals and additional information from the groundbreaking event.

Wendy Osher
Wendy Osher leads the Maui Now news team. She is also the news voice of parent company, Pacific Media Group, having served more than 20 years as News Director for the company’s six Maui radio stations.
Read Full Bio
ADVERTISEMENT

Sponsored Content

Maui Jobs View All Jobs Chevron Forward

Cintas FAS
Service Sales Representative - First Aid and Safety
West Maui · 3 weeks ago
Land Surveyors, Inc
Survey Assistant
South Maui · 1 month ago

Maui Fruit Jewels
Manufacturing Associate
Central Maui · 3 weeks ago

Allens Plumbing Inc.
Sales Coordinator Position
Central Maui · 1 month ago
Looking for locally based talent?
Post a Job Listing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in-the-know with daily or weekly
headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Cancel
×
Scroll Down for Comments

Comments

This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Maui Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments
Arrow UpBack to Top
  • Maui News
  • Maui Business
  • Weather
  • Entertainment
  • Maui Surf
  • Maui Sports
  • Crime Statistics
  • Maui Activities
  • Maui Discussion
  • Food and Dining
  • Real Estate
  • Maui Events Calendar
  • Maui Jobs
  • Official Visitors’ Guide
  • Hawai‘i Journalism Initiative
  • About Maui Now
  • Contact Information
  • Advertise with Us
  • App
  • Newsletter
  • Terms of Service

Copyright © 2025 Pacific Media Group.
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | About Our Ads

Facebook YouTube Instagram