Groundbroken on Vital Housing

35-Unit Kehalani Apartments Underway in Wailuku

A meaningful milestone for Central Maui’s housing landscape was celebrated as Mayor Richard Bissen, community leaders, and project developer Dowling Company officially broke ground on Kehalani Apartments in Wailuku.

Located within the 540-acre master-planned community of Kehalani at the base of the West Maui Mountains, this new 35-unit multifamily development will deliver much-needed, long-term affordable rental options for local working families.

Construction is officially underway, with full project completion targeted for January 2028.

Key Highlights of Kehalani Apartments

• Deep Affordability: The community will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom rental layouts. All 35 homes are strictly reserved for households earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• Dedicated Community Support: Through a direct partnership with Maui non-profit Women Helping Women, three units are specifically set aside for clients transitioning out of domestic violence situations who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Generous Open Space: Approximately one-third of the one-acre site will be preserved as landscaped green space, providing a gathering area for residents.
• Prime Location: Situated in the master-planned Kehalani neighborhood, residents will enjoy convenient access to Puʻu Kukui Elementary School, a 13-acre County park, bike and pedestrian pathways, and central Wailuku’s civic and business district.

Collaborative Action for Local Families

The project represents a strong public-private partnership aimed at keeping local residents rooted in Hawaiʻi.

“When a local family can't find a place they can afford, we risk losing them,” Mayor Richard Bissen shared during the groundbreaking. “This project — led by a trusted Maui company with support from the state and county — answers the urgent need for housing that is within reach for local families. When we build together, in a way that honors the land and our community, we keep our people home.”

Dowling Company, which has spearheaded planning and development at Kehalani since 2013, selected local contractor Maryl Group Construction, Inc. to lead the build. Funding support for the development includes subsidies from the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC) as well as grant support from the Maui County Council’s Affordable Housing Fund.

Strengthening Central Maui's Community Fabric

Adding 35 dedicated affordable rental homes helps address Central Maui’s ongoing housing needs. Projects like Kehalani Apartments show how thoughtful planning, local partnerships, and targeted public funding can expand housing opportunities while preserving the neighborhood character of Wailuku.

The Smith Team

Coldwell Banker Island Properties

Licensed in the State of Hawaiʻi

3750 Wailea Alanui Dr, Suite B35, Wailea, HI 96753

Direct: (808) 879-1991 | Web: www.mauihomebuyer.com

Image from Mauinow

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