A transformative master planning effort is underway in Honolulu, aiming to convert city- and state-owned lands along the city’s over $10 billion rail line into mixed-use, transit-oriented developments. The Mayor’s Office announced on Monday the selection of DTL, in collaboration with BDP Quadrangle, Wilson Okamoto Corp., and Nippon Koei, as the primary consultant for the project. This initiative focuses on the Kuwili Station TOD Redevelopment Area in the Iwilei-Kapalama region.
The consultant team was chosen through a competitive request for proposals process initiated by the city in May. Their task is to plan for the development of approximately 2,500 to 3,000 new housing units along the rail route. With more than 75% of the land under city or state control, officials see a unique opportunity to align infrastructure and housing investments, focusing on improving multi-modal transit access, supporting future housing, and addressing flood mitigation.
Strategic Planning and Development
The city’s Department of Housing and Land Management (DHLM) and Department of Transportation Services are spearheading the $2.7 million planning initiative. The timing coincides with the extension of Skyline rail service into the Iwilei-Kapalama area, where the Kuwili station is expected to open for public use by 2031 as part of the rail’s final segment.
Kevin Auger, DHLM’s director-designate, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “This was a highly competitive process, and we’re excited to welcome the team at DTL to help carry forward the administration’s vision for an iconic, transit-connected, climate-resilient community.”
Auger further emphasized the strategic timing, noting that with the Kuwili station design nearing completion and the pending selection of a development partner for the Iwilei Center, the area is poised to become a vibrant, transit-connected neighborhood.
Collaborative Effort and Vision
This project marks the first formalized joint city-state effort to master plan the Iwilei-Kapalama area, involving collaboration with the Governor’s Office on Housing. The aim is to accelerate affordable housing development within Honolulu’s urban corridor.
Tim Streitz, acting TOD administrator for the Department of Planning and Permitting, highlighted the significance of the development, stating, “It’s going to be eye-opening for people to see what transit-oriented development really looks like — getting off a station and being able to walk to housing, services, and destinations without needing to drive.”
DTL, a Native Hawaiian-owned firm, will lead the master planning effort. BDP Quadrangle, based in Toronto, brings international experience in TOD projects, while Wilson Okamoto Corp. will focus on traffic analysis and infrastructure coordination. Nippon Koei will contribute systems-level insights into transportation and urban infrastructure.
Affordable Housing and Funding
Some of the housing units planned for the area may be designated as “affordable,” based on area median income. Auger explained that the specific unit counts and income breakdowns will be determined once a development partner is selected.
“Our goal is to maximize the number of affordable units produced, so the AMI breakdown will ultimately be shaped by the financing tools available, such as federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, State Rental Housing Revolving Funds, and other gap financing mechanisms,” Auger said.
The planning initiative is supported by nearly $3 million in funding, including a $2 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s TOD Pilot Program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021. Additional funding includes a $700,000 state TOD Capital Improvement Planning Grant and a $250,000 city contribution.
Looking Ahead
The planning effort is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2027, and will include the development of a connectivity plan, a conceptual mixed-use housing plan for the Kuwili Station area, and a phased implementation strategy for infrastructure and TOD.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in Honolulu’s urban development strategy, promising to reshape the Iwilei-Kapalama area into a model of sustainable, transit-oriented living. As the project progresses, it will serve as a blueprint for future developments in the city, balancing growth with the need for affordable housing and improved infrastructure.
