Highridge Costa starts $333 million build at Mayor Wright

Honolulu faces a housing gap that city leaders argue requires a shift in how public assets are developed. On Thursday, officials and community members gathered at the Mayor Wright Homes site to break ground on the first construction phase.

The Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority and developer Highridge Costa will replace the complex built in 1952. The 15-acre parcel sits in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood, bordered by King Street, Liliha Street, and Vineyard Boulevard. Phase 1A carries an estimated cost of $333 million, according to the housing authority.

The master plan calls for 10 towers containing more than 2,400 rental units. The mix includes studios through five-bedroom apartments, public housing, for-sale condominiums, and commercial space. A key departure from the original design is the income strategy. More than half of the units will target tenants earning below 80% of the area median income. Later phases will expand eligibility to households earning up to 100% of that figure, a threshold of roughly $150,000 annually for a family of four.

Hakim Ouansafi, the housing authority’s executive director, framed the start of construction as a move away from previous models. “It's not simply about breaking ground. It is about breaking barriers,” he said. He added that the state must stop relying on past approaches to solve future housing needs.

Governor Josh Green emphasized the link between stable shelter and economic stability. “Housing provides health,” he said, noting that residents with secure homes can better prioritize education and healthcare. Moe Mohanna, president of Highridge Costa Development Company, described the scale of the work as a legacy for the state.

Current residents displaced by construction are being relocated with priority rights to return. The project includes four acres of public parks and recreational areas. It is located within walking distance of the planned Iwilei rail station, a connection that Mayor Rick Blangiardi called historic for affordable housing.

The state estimated the total cost of the 15-year redevelopment at $1.3 billion in 2017. The first building is scheduled to open in 2029. The project will serve seven times the number of residents currently housed on the site.