County seeks contractor for first phase of new West Hawaiʻi emergency shelter

Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development is requesting proposals from developers for the construction of the first phase of the Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center in Kailua-Kona.

This phase includes 16 emergency shelter units, a manager’s unit, a 2,000-square-foot assessment center, community restroom facilities with showers, a 1,400-square-foot community center and a shared kitchen.

Office space for case management services and resources is also included in the first phase of construction, along with open areas for community-building activities.

The center will offer overnight parking for unsheltered people sleeping in vehicles as well.

“Kukuiola represents a beacon of light, of hope, to those in need of safe shelter and a welcoming home,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda. “We want to recognize the many partners, including the state and our congressional delegation, that have made this project a reality.”

Located off Kealakehe Parkway south of the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, the state-owned site is under executive order to the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation and leased to the county.

Mass grading of the site and the access road, Alapono Place, was completed in late 2024.

Phase 2 will add 50 permanent housing units with support services.

Phase 3, now in the master planning stage, is envisioned as multi-family housing and supported by a recent $400,000 State Transit-Oriented Development Program grant.

“Our goal is to not only provide immediate shelter but to also connect individuals with the services and support they need to transition into permanent housing,” said County Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa. “Kukuiola is an important step in our ongoing efforts to address homelessness in our community, ensuring that those who need it most have access to a safe space, resources, and a clear path forward.”

Bids for Phase 1 are due by 2 p.m. April 10 via the Public Purchase System.

Construction is expected to begin this summer, with completion anticipated about 18 months later. The first phase is supported by a $10 million federal grant secured by U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono.

Looking forward, the county Office of Housing and Community Development will continue to connect with the community throughout the planning and development process to ensure local input shapes the facility’s operations upon its opening, which is anticipated in early 2027.

More information about the county Office of Housing and Community Development can be found on its website, via its quarterly newsletter or on Facebook and Instagram.

To receive news alerts and the housing office’s quarterly newsletter, click here.