HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu has selected EAH Housing as its preferred negotiating partner for the redevelopment of 436 Ena Road, one of four sites included in the City’s first-ever affordable housing portfolio solicitation (RFQ-DLM-25-01). The site will be developed under a long-term ground lease to provide deeply affordable rental housing in the heart of Waikīkī—one of Honolulu’s most competitive and supply-constrained housing markets.
Located just off Kalākaua Avenue, the 6000-square-foot parcel includes a vacant eight-story building and a detached parking structure. Originally constructed in the early 1990s and later converted to residential use, the building was operated by the City as affordable rental housing until 2023. The selected team will be tasked with redeveloping the property to maximize long-term affordability with utmost efficiency and quality.
“This was a highly competitive process, and we sincerely thank all of the applicants for their interest and thoughtful proposals,” said Kevin D. Auger, director designate of DHLM. “This effort presents a valuable opportunity to reinvest in an underutilized property and preserve affordability in the heart of Waikīkī. We look forward to working with EAH Housing and community stakeholders to ensure the outcome delivers lasting value and meaningful benefit to the Waikīkī community.”
EAH Housing, a nationally recognized nonprofit housing organization with over 30 years of experience in Hawaiʻi, was selected through a competitive RFQ process. The City will now enter into an exclusive negotiation period with EAH to finalize the terms of the development agreement and form of ground lease.
The development team includes EAH Housing as lead developer, Core Tech as co-developer, and Lowney Architecture as project architect. With a proven track record of delivering sustainable, community-driven affordable housing, the team brings the experience and vision needed to revitalize this site. Their shared commitment to quality, innovation, and long-term affordability ensures a project that meets urgent housing needs while enhancing the neighborhood with thoughtful design and a strong sense of place.
“We’re honored to partner with the City on this important effort,” said Laura Hall, President and CEO of EAH Housing. “Affordable housing remains one of Honolulu’s most pressing challenges, and this project offers a meaningful opportunity to add to the housing inventory. We are committed to delivering high-quality homes that are affordable for the long term and support a more inclusive, sustainable future for Honolulu’s residents.”
All projects selected under the RFQ will undergo robust community engagement, environmental review, land use approvals, and financial structuring as part of the next phase of development.
For more information, visit: www.honolulu.gov/dhlm.
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