Keawalau at Waipahu
A gathering place for Waipahu: true to its roots, a place that welcomes all
Place names can convey a story and connect us to our past. Our newest community is named Keawalau, which is a traditional name for Puʻuloa (Pearl Harbor). Keawalau, whose English interpretation means “the many bays,” pays homage to the interconnected systems of the waters and surrounding lands that come together to create a place rich in resources.
Keawalau was proposed to benefit Waipahu residents in many ways. Once completed, Keawalau will offer a diverse mix of neighborhood retail and businesses, community gathering spaces, and approximately 500 new affordable (60% of Area Median Income) kūpuna and ʻohana rental housing units. The proposed community sits on 3.8 acres of land within 500 feet of the Waipahu Bus Transit Center and HART’S Pouhala Station.
Keawalau is envisioned as a transit-oriented community that will create opportunities for kama‘āina to live, work and thrive with new affordable housing, shopping, and dining experiences with community-focused programming and activities.
Currently, in the planning phase, this family-friendly community celebrates Waipahu’s rich and diverse cultures while serving as a place to build new connections—to learn from, care for and enjoy the place we call home.
We are eager to work with our neighbors to celebrate Waipahu’s history and create a bright future. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Keawalau, we invite you to sign up for ongoing updates. To do so, click here.
You may also contact our community outreach team at 808-437-2646 or by email at KeawalauOutreach@Gmail.com.
In Waipahu, For Waipahu
History of The Land
Moʻokūʻauhau (Genealogy)
The Keawalau project area is located within the ʻili of Kapakahi, a smaller land division in the ahupuaʻa of Waikele. In 1862, these lands were awarded to Davida Kauliokamoa (konohiki of Kapakahi). The lands were later deeded by Loke Keanui (wife of Kauliokamoa) to Kamehameha V Lot Kapuāiwa in 1869. In 1872, Kamehameha V passed the lands to Ruth Ke‘elikōlani. The Kapakahi lands then become part of the original endowment inherited by Ke Aliʻi Bernice Pauahi Bishop in 1883.
Traditional Hawaiian Society
The mo‘olelo (stories) and place names paint a picture of a thriving community, rich in natural resources, located where spring-fed streams meet Pu‘uloa. Hawaiian settlements in ‘Ewa date back to the 12th century A.D. It was the political center of O‘ahu for several centuries. The area known today as Waipahu and the specific project site (located within the ʻili of Kapakahi) was a vision of vast, innovative lo‘i and fishponds that teemed with fish and pearl oysters – all fiercely guarded by the benevolent shark goddess, Kaʻahupāhau.
By 1870, however, this thriving community was in decline as traditional agriculture gave way to the sugar plantation and immigrant workers.
Plantation Era
The project site was then converted from lo‘i kalo to rice paddies, farmed by Chinese immigrants who had ended their contracts with sugar plantations. O‘ahu Sugar Co. was established in 1898 and began bringing immigrant workers in to the area. It is likely in this era that the plantation town began to be referred to as “Waipahu” or “Waipahu” (lit. “bursting water” as in bursting forth from underground) after a well-known spring located nearby.
Post-Plantation
O‘ahu Sugar Co. officially ceased operations in 1995. Waipahu then became known as a mostly Filipino community of former sugar workers and their descendants. With the presence of the Hawai‘i Plantation Village (opened in 1992) and the still-prominent smokestack, Waipahu continues to remind us of its storied past.
Our Partners
Kamehameha Schools exists to create positive social change for Native Hawaiians through education in three K-12 campuses, 29 preschools, and numerous community programs statewide. As stewards of ‘Āina Pauahi—the landholdings of the estate of Ke Aliʻi Bernice Pauahi Bishop—Kamehameha Schools’ educational mission is supported in part by actively managing its legacy lands to ensure the vibrancy of its mission in perpetuity. The Commercial Real Estate Division in particular oversees the development of sustainable, vibrant communities where kama‘āina have opportunities to live, work, and thrive!
Highridge Costa is meeting America’s affordable housing challenge through the development of attractive, architecturally significant, multifamily living environments that integrate seamlessly into rural, suburban and city neighborhoods. Highridge Costa has created a long term business focused on enhancing the lives of lower income family and senior households through the development, preservation, ownership, and operation of quality new and repositioned affordable housing. At Highridge Costa, we are committed to changing lives.
AHED is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support the preservation, rehabilitation and development of, and access to, affordable and workforce housing, and to support economic opportunities for lower-income families.
Community Events & Stakeholder Meetings
Community Engagement
Sign-Up for Updates
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At the beginning of 2021, Highridge Costa and Kamehameha Schools began the process of connecting with the Waipahu community to share, learn and gather input related to the Keawalau project. There will be additional opportunities throughout the life of the project with online engagement, stakeholder meetings, community events, and outreach with residents, businesses, and government entities.
Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village – February 4, 2021
Kamehameha Schools Waipahu Tenant Virtual Meeting – February 9, 2021
Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meeting – February 25, 2021
Waipahu Community Virtual Townhall – April 13, 2021
Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meeting – April 22, 2021
Kamehameha Schools Alumni Leaders Virtual Meeting – May 15, 2021
Waipahu Community Virtual Townhall - November 4, 2021
Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meeting – March 25, 2022
Keawalau Community Open House – September 21, 2022
Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village
February 4, 2021
Kamehameha Schools Waipahu Tenant Virtual Meeting
February 9, 2021
Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meeting
February 25, 2021
Waipahu Community Virtual Townhall
April 13, 2021
Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meeting
April 22, 2021
Kamehameha Schools Alumni Leaders Virtual Meeting
May 15, 2021
Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village
February 4, 2021
Kamehameha Schools Waipahu Tenant Virtual Meeting
February 9, 2021
Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meeting
February 25, 2021
Waipahu Community Virtual Townhall
April 13, 2021
Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meeting
April 22, 2021
Kamehameha Schools Alumni Leaders Virtual Meeting
May 15, 2021
Waipahu Community Virtual Townhall
November 4, 2021
Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meeting
March 25, 2022
Keawalau Community Open House
September 21, 2022
- Keawalau is being built in Waipahu for Waipahu to improve quality of life and revitalize the community
- Keawalau will invest approximately $290 million in the local economy
- Keawalau will help foster an intergenerational community through the creation of new affordable kūpuna and ʻohana housing options
- By creating a vibrant community, walkable retail facilities and welcoming gathering spaces, Keawalau will improve public safety
- Keawalau will create 300-400 good paying local construction jobs, as well as dozens of permanent jobs in residential, retail and commercial areas
Benefits for Waipahu Residents
- Keawalau will build new community gathering spaces and more than 50,000 square feet of high-quality retail
- Keawalau will produce more than $5 million in fee revenue for local government to invest in quality-of-life priorities like public safety and street repairs
- The proposed community will generate more than $1.9 million in new school fees to support local education
- The community will be designed with sustainability in mind; all buildings will be constructed to LEED Silver standards or equivalent and all residential units will be outfitted with Energy Star Appliances and other sustainable features.
- All units will be restricted at state-published affordable rents for sixty years, remaining affordable to support area residents for generations to come.
CONTACT US
CONTACT US
- Latest Project Presentation
- Latest Project
Presentation
Help us celebrate everything that makes our community special in the heart of Waipahu at the corner of Waipahu Depot Street and Hikimoe Street. Bring your ‘ohana and dive into a lively atmosphere filled with over 35 local food vendors, shopping, live entertainment, educational activities, and more!
Join us Saturday, March 1st from 4pm to 9pm for the
Waipahu Street Fest, where vibrant culture meets delicious flavors!
Waipahu United Church of Christ and Aged to Perfection
Enter from Mokuola St. (94-330 Mokuola St, Waipahu, HI 96797)
Skyline will extend its hours to 10:00 p.m. at all (9) Stations from Kualaka‘i Station to Hālawa Aloha Stadium Station on March 1st, offering convenient travel options to the event, including a stop at the nearby Pouhala Transit Station in Waipahu.
Limited Public Parking will be available from 3:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for those who prefer to drive.
There is NO overnight parking, all cars must leave by 10:00 p.m.
Enter from Hikimoe St. (94-830 Hikimoe St, Waipahu, HI 96797)
Transportation and Parking
Live Entertainment
Hosted by Kiana Cayabyab
VENDORS
*Trains arrive every 10 mins.
- HOLO cardholders can use (3) park-and-ride facilities:
Eastside Riders: Hālawa Aloha Stadium Station Westside Riders: Honouliuli Hoʻopili Station and Keoneʻae at UH-West Oʻahu Station
- The Bus riders can utilize the Waipahu Transit Center stop
*For more information and schedules, visit http://www.honolulu.gov/skyline.
Limited Public Parking will be available from 3:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for those who prefer to drive.
There is NO overnight parking, all cars must leave by 10:00 p.m.
