(BIVN) – Developers have broken ground on the 440-acre Koaiʻe Self Help Affordable Housing Project in Waimea.
The Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) says the first phase of the project will include 39-self help homes with access from Kawaihae Road via Waiula Drive. “The overall project will include self-help housing, single family homes for sale and potentially low-rise multi-family housing with future community amenities including parks, open space and gathering areas,” a news release stated.
HICDC says water has been secured for the initial first phase, and road and utility construction for the subdivision is estimated to be $8.8 million. Ludwig Construction is set to begin construction in November.
Photos show an on-site blessing ceremony performed by Kahu Danny and Anna Akaka.
From the HICDC news release:
What’s Next?
During the 9-month road and utility construction, Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation will monitor the subdivision construction, evaluate applicant eligibility and process loan applications. What follows in the year-long house construction is the management of house plans and permits, procuring subcontractors, training and supervising self-help builders on safety and construction, coordinating subcontractors and inspections, and receipt and payment of loan funds through home completions.
A Legacy Gift to the Community
“We owe a debt of gratitude to Marc and Lynne Benioff for their aloha spirit of giving to increase the supply of affordable housing in our community,” said Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation Executive Director Keith Kato.
“Our non-profit initially received a land donation of 282-acres in 2023 from the Benioffs. At that time, they also gifted our non-profit $7.5 million to facilitate the Koai’e project’s site planning and infrastructure development with an additional unrestricted $1 million gift to expand HICDC’s capacity to bring more housing to the community. A year later, the Benioffs added another 158-acres to the project. To say that we could not have done this without Marc and Lynne Benioff would be an understatement. This gift will keep on giving for years to come!”
The Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation has developed more than 900 affordable housing units on Hawaii Island over the past 30 years. This includes working with over 400 self-help builders who completed their homes in Ainaloa, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kailua-Kona, Kawaihae, Keaʻau, Keaukaha, Kohala, Mountain View, Panaʻewa, and Pepeʻekeo. The 40 existing self-help units that abut Koai’e was a previous Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation project.
HICDC has completed more than 500 affordable rental units in Hilo, Waimea, Kapa’au and Kailua-Kona, including a 100-unit family rental project in Kailua-Kona that was completed in 2024 and is 100% occupied.
