Construction begins on new Maui affordable housing community

WAILUKU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Construction began Monday on a new affordable housing community on Maui.

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Kehalani Apartments in Wailuku will have 35 units, ranging in size from one to three bedrooms.

To be eligible, applicants must earn 60% of the area’s median income or less.

“When you keep a family home, you keep generations home,” said Maui Mayor Richard Bissen. “When a family leaves, a whole generation leaves. It’s hard for them to get back in. So we don’t want them to ever leave.”

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In an effort to support domestic violence survivors, three units will be reserved for clients of the nonprofit organization Women Helping Women.

“What that means is that they don’t have to choose between being homeless and on the streets and being housed and safe and thriving,” said Sanoe Kaaihue, Executive Director of Women Helping Women. “So that is ultimately the big goal for us.”

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Construction is expected to be completed in January 2028.