New affordable workforce rental housing community is dedicated in Waikōloa Village

Nā Hale Makoa, a 140-unit affordable workforce rental housing community in Waikōloa Village, was dedicated on Friday with a traditional maile lei untying ceremony led by Kumu Keala Ching. 

The new community at 68-3491 Iwikuamo‘o Drive will help fill the strong demand for affordable housing for those working in the Waikōloa area.

The community was developed by Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation and sits on 10.3 acres of land owned by the County of Hawaiʻi. It features a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, along with a resident manager’s unit, and serves households earning up to 140% of the Area Median Income.

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. 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,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said in a press release. “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 Waikōloa 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, a nonprofit developer, was selected by the county to develop Nā Hale Makoa following a request for proposals in 2020. The County granted a 68-year lease.

The corporation was founded more than 45 years ago, and has developed more than 60 properties for kūpuna, low, moderate and gap group income residents, and those with special needs.    

Rent at Nā Hale Makoa is based on a household’s adjusted median income, with 109 units (78%) designated for households earning no more than 60 percent of the AMI.

Within this group, 20 units (18%) were designated for households earning no more than 30 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,” County Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa said. “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.”

To learn how to apply for a unit, visit https://nahalemakoa.com.