DHHL Awards 115 Homes in August

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) awarded 115 turnkey homes for its newest master-planned community, Kaʻuluokahaʻi, on Aug. 23, 2025.

“This administration is delivering on the promise to build homesteads for our Native Hawaiian families, and we see progress in motion when homes are awarded and more families are taken off the waitlist,” said Gov. Josh Green, M.D.

“My office will continue to work alongside DHHL to ensure the resources the department needs are available to fully execute on its mission.”

Leslie Gohier was one in the crowd of more than 600 Native Hawaiians who attended the lot selection at Honouliuli Middle School.

“I know the struggle of not getting a lot,” said Leslie Gohier, 76, a Māʻili resident who applied in 1988 to the Oʻahu residential waitlist. She previously participated in five lot selections but never received an offer. In March 2025, Gohier received a project lease, DHHL’s new, expedited approach to addressing its long-standing waitlist.

“DHHL will continue seeking innovative strategies to accelerate housing options for our families,” DHHL Director Kali Watson said. “Innovation encompasses various aspects such as awarding project leases, the way we build — developing large-scale communities, the locations we build — actively seeking valuable land across the state, the financing avenues we explore — such as low-income housing tax credits, and our commitment to collaborating with the aliʻi trusts, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and organizations like the Hawaiian Council.”

The houses, built by Gentry Homes, range in size from two- to five-bedrooms and cost between $498,000 – $691,000. All prospective applicants were required to pre-qualify for financing before selecting a lot. This process allows the developer to align the construction of Kaʻuluokahaʻi with the financial capabilities of its future homeowners. This new initiative aims to ensure those on the waitlist are not bypassed due to income limitations.

For more than 100 families the Native American Housing Assistance and Self- Determination Act (NAHASDA) made homeownership more attainable through the awarding of more than $65 million in loans.

After nearly three hours of waiting, Gohier’s name was called; selectee number 58. Overcome with emotion, Gohier selected the home for which she had waited for 37 years. “I’m at a loss for words, but the reality of being called is the greatest gift I could ever receive. For me, to have this opportunity to share with my family is a blessing,” Gohier said.

“The department is excited to work closely with Governor Green and the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in the upcoming session to fully fund the remaining increments of Kaʻuluokahaʻi,” Watson added. “In addition, DHHL will be requesting further appropriations to ensure it can continue reducing the waitlist [and] provide housing for Native Hawaiians.”

A mixed-residential community, the entirety of Kaʻuluokahaʻi will be built by Gentry Homes in multiple phases: 118 units, slated for completion in the summer 2027; 133 units, slated for completion in the summer 2028; and 151 units, slated for completion in summer 2029.

DHHL broke ground on the 121.5-acre parcel in August of 2023. Kaʻuluokahaʻi will cost $152 million to develop.