New law to expand affordable homeownership opportunities in Hawaii

News admin June 23, 2026 0 Comments

New law to expand affordable homeownership opportunities in Hawaii

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Gov. Josh Green has signed a new housing measure aimed at creating more affordable homeownership opportunities for local residents.

, now known as Act 121, expands and clarifies Hawaii’s Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program, which is designed to provide affordable condominium homes on state and county-owned land.

State officials said the law builds on legislation passed last year that established a pilot leasehold condominium program through the Hawaii Community Development Authority.

The measure supports a planned pilot project in Kakaako at the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Ward Avenue, intended to demonstrate how publicly owned land can be used to increase access to homeownership while maintaining long-term public control of the property.

Under the new law, at least 60% of residential units developed through the program must be affordable to households earning no more than 140% of the area median income.

The legislation also establishes owner-occupancy requirements, eligibility standards and other safeguards intended to keep the homes affordable for local residents over the long term.

“Act 121 represents another important step toward restoring the dream of homeownership for local families,” said Sen. Stanley Chang, chair of the Senate Housing Committee and sponsor of the ALOHA Homes initiative. “By leveraging public land and creating a new pathway to affordable ownership, we can help ensure that future generations have the opportunity to live, work, and build their lives in Hawaii.”

Supporters of the measure say reducing land costs through long-term leasehold ownership could make homeownership attainable for families who may otherwise be priced out of Hawaii’s housing market.