One of Hawaii’s largest business journals, Pacific Business News, publishes highlights our efforts behind the opening of Hale Makana O Mo’ili’ili.
Below by Stephanie Salmon — reporter, Pacific Business News
“Construction is complete on Hale Makana O Moiliili, a 105-unit affordable senior housing project located in Moiliili.
Developed by Ikenakea Development – a partnership between 3 Leaf Holdings and the nonprofit Hawaiian Community Development Board – the $39.7 million housing project includes 80 studio and 25 one-bed units that have fully-equipped kitchens with energy-efficient appliances, granite countertops, and ceiling fans, as well as an onsite resident manager, covered parking stalls, bicycle storage and an onsite community center, a June 8 announcement noted.
According to the announcement, the community center serves as a multifunctional space for meetings, social gatherings, cultural presentations and special events, and also provides programming space for nonprofit service agencies aiming to address health and social service needs of low-income seniors living independently within the community.
"The project's management will work closely with the tenant association to identify common needs and interests among the seniors and develop tailored programs and activities to meet those needs," the announcement continued.
Hale Makana O Moiliili was designed by multidisciplinary architectural firm AHL and constructed by Moss & Associates, with interior design by Philpotts Interiors, the announcement noted. Mark Development, Inc. will provide property management services.
Patti Barbee, president and CEO of HCDB, told Pacific Business News that the project began during the Covid-19 pandemic and went "very smoothly because everyone worked so hard to get the project done because we have such an [affordable] housing crisis for our kupuna."
Work began on the project in late 2021.
"Our organization has this tradition of taking our partners canoe paddling," Barbee said. "This [work] really symbolizes the philosophy of canoe paddling. When you canoe, you have to paddle together and synchronize. ... You have to put all your energy together as a team to move the canoe forward. To move this project forward, we all had to synchronize and work together. ... Everyone worked so hard for our team, especially during Covid. ... [I'm] just so thankful for everybody on our team working so hard."
Project financing included 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits allocated by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp., Rental Housing Revolving Funds, and Hula Mae Multifamily Bond Program, the release stated. Additional financing partners include Bank of Hawaii and CREA LLC.
Barbee said there were impacts from supply chain issues and inflation, and the project was redesigned several times to "try and keep our costs within our budget, [but we] made it happen."
According to Barbee, some residents have already moved into the building.
A blessing ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 9, at 2139 Algaroba St.”
Photo by Stephanie Salmons — reporter, Pacific Business News
To view the publication on PBN, click here.