Kaka‘ako Makai Overview

Kakaʻako Makai consists of approximately 30 acres of largely waterfront property that was conveyed to OHA by the State of Hawai’i as part of a settlement over longstanding claims for past-due revenue owed from the Public Land Trust. The $200 million land value represents Native Hawaiians’ share of revenues from the state’s use of lands in the Public Land Trust. The property could potentially bring millions into OHA to help fund community-based programs aimed at improving conditions for Native Hawaiians.

As this was the first time that OHA held real property with the purpose to generate revenue, the Board of Trustees met soon after the acquisition to lay the foundational values for the utilization of these lands. In September 2012, the Board approved the Kaka’ako Makai Policies which laid out the following policies:

• Create synergy between OHA’s Kaka’ako Makai parcels and OHA’s vision and strategic priorities;
• Ensure that cultural and stewardship values drive/provide the base for design and use decisions;
• Balance near-term revenue stream with long-term financial and strategic goals and decisions;
  • Create a Hawaiian Sense of Place;
  • Balance Pono and Commerce;
• Develop a timely, accountable process; and,
• Exercise appropriate leadership and management.

OHA began work on its vision for development at Kaka’ako Makai. Contracting the team of Hui Kukuluae’o, consisting of Group 70, Rider Levett Bucknall and Sanford Murata, Inc., OHA began to visualize the possibilities. In order to move forward with its development efforts, however, OHA needed to frame the full spectrum of opportunities by identifying strategic priorities for development. In its Kaka’ako Framework Plan, October 2013, OHA defined the following three strategic priorities while also recognizing the need to generate an annual income from the Kaka’ako Makai properties that is consistent with its $200 million value:

• Create a kīpuka where Hawaiian national identity can flourish;
• Support a hālau ola that invests in native intellectual capital & innovation; and
• Integrate a planned community that embraces live, work, and play ideal.

Currently, OHA is in the processes of developing a Conceptual Master Plan that will further refine the aforementioned strategic priorities into specific land use recommendations to ensure that all future development of its Kaka’ako Makai lands are able to reach the apex of culture and commerce. The 2-year process will include community input from its beneficiaries and other stakeholders, as well as an Environmental Impact Statement and preliminary permits. Browse resource materials on Kaka‘ako Makai. Check out the latest updates on OHA’s Conceptual Master Planning efforts or to learn more about immediate leasing opportunities prior to development, click here.

Kaka’ako Makai Development Process

As a responsible Hawaiian landowner, OHA believes in a thoughtful and thorough development process. Embedded within our planning are numerous opportunities for community input by OHA’s beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

Planning Update Community Meetings

• News Release, May 17, 2017: OHA to hold community meetings statewide to update on Kakaʻako Makai planning process
• PowerPoint Presentation for Kakaʻako Community Update, Summer 2017
  
• The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will be hosting community meetings throughout Hawaiʻi, to provide an update on the Kakaʻako Makai planning process. There will be both in-person and online opportunities to participate. The 2017 meeting schedule will be updated as meeting venues are confirmed.

Background

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs hosted community meetings throughout Hawai‘i from February 17th until March 3rd, 2015. OHA sought input from community stakeholders for a conceptual master plan for its properties in Kaka‘ako Makai. People who did not make the meetings in person participated in a virtual input session. This round of community input ended at the end of May.