Nā Hale Makoa, a New Affordable Workforce Rental Housing Community, is Dedicated in Waikoloa Village
Nā Hale Makoa, a 140-unit affordable workforce rental housing community in Waikoloa Village, was dedicated today with a traditional maile lei untying ceremony led by Kumu Keala Ching. The new community, located at 68-3491 Iwikuamo‘o Drive, fills the strong demand for affordable housing for those working in the Waikoloa area.
Developed by Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation, the community sits on 10.3 acres of County of Hawaiʻi land and includes a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, along with a resident manager’s unit, serving households earning up to 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Construction of Nā Hale Makoa’s 15 two-story multi-plex buildings was completed in 17 months and residents started moving into their new homes in February this year. More than 90% of the units are currently leased.
“Nā Hale Makoa reflects our commitment to increasing affordable housing opportunities across Hawaiʻi Island, especially in high-cost areas like West Hawaiʻi,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “As the first mixed-income rental community on Hawaiʻi Island, it creates space for a range of local families, helping to keep our communities connected, support our workforce, and build an island economy that benefits everyone.”
The $84.5 million project was made possible through a combination of funding sources, including the Hula Mae Multi-Family Revenue Bond Program, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program, and Rental Housing Revolving Fund Program administered by the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation. The County also provided $2 million through the Affordable Housing Production Program and 30 project-based vouchers administered by the County’s Office of Housing and Community Development.
“I’ve always believed that housing is healthcare,” said Gov. Josh Green, who was an emergency physician on Hawai‘i Island. “When people are housed close to where they work and where their kids go to school, they are healthier. Nā Hale Makoa allows our local families to stay strongly connected in the Waikoloa community without being priced out. This is a testament to the power of public-private collaboration to address the pressing needs for more affordable workforce housing in our state.”
Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation was selected by the County to develop Nā Hale Makoa following a request for proposals in 2020. The County granted a 68-year lease to develop Nā Hale Makoa, a critically important foundational step for the affordable housing project.
“We are excited to see Nā Hale Makoa completed and families moving into their new homes. This project represents years of planning and collaboration with our development team and our State, County, and private financing partners, and we are proud to provide much-needed workforce housing for families in West Hawaiʻi,” said Audrey Awaya, executive director of Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation.
Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation is a nonprofit developer founded more than 45 years ago, and to date, has developed more than 60 properties for kūpuna, low, moderate and gap group income residents, and those with special needs.
Affordable, Accessible Homes
Rent at Nā Hale Makoa is based on a household’s adjusted median income (AMI). The majority of the units — a total of 109 units — or 78 percent were designated for households earning no more than 60 percent of the AMI. Within this group, 20 units, or 18 percent, were designated for households earning no more than 30 percent of the AMI. However, the community also accommodates families earning up to 140 percent of the AMI.
Each unit features a washer and dryer, modern appliances, ceiling fans, vinyl plank flooring, and a private lanai with storage. The pet-friendly community also offers shared amenities, including a recreation center with a kitchen, a resource and technology center with high-speed internet, a keiki playground, and outdoor gathering spaces with walking and biking paths.
“Nā Hale Makoa reflects the County’s commitment to not only using our land, but also investing in housing solutions that work for our community. With support from the Affordable Housing Production Program and Project-Based Vouchers, we are able to create housing that serves a broader range of local families,” said County Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa.
