Video Release courtesy Armstrong Builders | Voice of Stephanie Salazar

On Tuesday, the first homesteaders moved into the Lai Opua Village 5 Hawaiian homelands in Kona.

After being handed the keys to their new home, Albert Regidor and his ohana joined in the ceremonial untying of the maile lei.

“I applied 10 years ago,” recalled Regidor, who lived on Oahu for 56 years and is married to a Honokaa native. “Its short compared to other people. But the day that I got notice that I got a home in Lai Opua, it was a day I will never forget. Finally.” 

Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman, Alapaki Nahale-a, said it was a great day in Kealakehe.

“It hits home.” Nahale-a said. “Its the kind of a day that makes all the hard work worth it when you go home at night.”

After the blessing, guests took a site tour of completed homes and the models currently under construction.

Lai Opua features innovative “green” homes that combine modern technology and Kona’s abundant natural renewable resources.

Armstrong Builders, LLC saw the project to its completion.

Among the new “green” features in the neighborhood, this so called “Rainwater HOG”.

There are currently 43 homes being built in the first phase, with future plans calling for a total of 100 homes in the neighborhood.