AIEA-PEARL CITY TOD NEIGHBORHOOD
The Aiea-Pearl City Neighborhood TOD Plan presents a community vision for the existing neighborhoods surrounding the Hālaulani (Leeward Community College), Waiawa (Pearl Highlands), and Kalauao (Pearlridge) rail stations. The goal of the TOD Plan is to foster livable communities that take full advantage of transit—specifically, creating new transportation options while encouraging economic growth and attractive redevelopment. All the Aiea-Pearl City station areas are envisioned as compact, pedestrian-friendly environments that provide various housing, employment, and recreational opportunities, but each has a unique identity and different development opportunities.
• Create access and views to water and Pearl Harbor Historic Trail
• Encourage workforce housing
• Create a comfortable and lively pedestrian environment
• Provide multimodal access to and from the stations
• Develop new and enhance existing open space amenities
STATION AREA PLANS
Hālaulani (Leeward Community College) Station Area
This station area is envisioned to become a college-oriented neighborhood with educational facilities, residences, and retail and services catering to students and faculty from the adjacent college, as well as new residents.
Waiawa (Pearl Highlands) Station Area
This station will be a major intermodal facility and connection point for riders coming from ewa and mauka directions. The station area is envisioned as a revitalized shopping district that carefully balances passengers and workers arriving via transit, on foot, and via automobile.
Kalauao (Pearlridge) Station Area
The nearby Pearlridge Center is the second largest mall in Hawaii and a major economic driver for this area. This station area is envisioned as a major urban center and regional shopping destination.
ZONING & REGULATIONS
To help implement the TOD Plan, new mixed-use zoning and a TOD Special District were established by City ordinance to increase density and regulate the site layout and ground-floor building design of new development in Aiea-Pearl City. Corridor-wide regulatory and implementation information is available on the Zoning, Policies, and Regulations page. An interactive TOD Zoning Map is also available to view adopted TOD zoning.
Zoning and Height Limits
Ordinance 22-30
Amends the zoning maps for Aiea-Pearl City to reflect recommended TOD neighborhood zoning. Generally, single-use zoning is replaced with mixed-use zoning, and bonus height is possible in exchange for community benefits and additional project review.
Director’s Report – June 2022
Special District Regulations
Ordinance 22-29
Establishes a TOD Special District in Aiea-Pearl City to reflect recommended TOD neighborhood boundary and supplement zoning. Regulations primarily focus on site design, such as locating buildings near the sidewalk and requiring active ground floor uses, to create a vibrant streetscape. Bonus density is possible in exchange for community benefits and additional project review.
Director’s Report – June 2022
RELATED DOCUMENTS
NEIGHBORHOOD TOD PLAN
Aiea-Pearl City Neighborhood TOD Plan Summary Brochure – July 2023
Aiea-Pearl City Neighborhood TOD Plan (adopted) – September 2014
Community Needs Survey Report – January 2013
Existing Conditions Report (with Market Analysis) – October 2009
Community Workshop #4 Summary – November 2010
Community Workshop #3 Summary – April 2010
Community Workshop #2 Summary – December 2009
Community Workshop #1 Summary – October 2009
SPECIAL DISTRICT AND ZONING
TOD Special District and Zoning Map (final) – October 2022
Planning Commission Meeting Presentation – July 2022
Community Meeting Presentation – January 2018
SPECIAL AREA PLANS
Pearl Harbor Historic Trail Master Plan – May 2001
Aiea-Pearl City Livable Communities Plan – May 2004
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A: The Aiea-Pearl City Neighborhood TOD Plan was adopted by the City Council in September 2014. The TOD Special District and zoning were subsequently adopted in October 2022. For a copy of the TOD Plan and related material, see the Related Documents section on this page.
A: Items that help implement the Aiea-Pearl City Neighborhood TOD Plan will be listed on this page, while development projects in the neighborhood will be listed on the Development Projects page. Related items (e.g., those with a corridor-wide focus) may also be listed under the Planning Initiatives page. Additionally, you can sign up for the TOD newsletter to ensure you are up-to-date.
A: The rail line is currently projected to open in phases. Phase 1 opened on June 30, 2023 and includes the East Kapolei, Waipahu, Aiea-Pearl City, and Hālawa neighborhoods. Phase 2 is estimated to open a few years later and will include the Airport area and a portion of the Kalihi neighborhood. Remaining phases, which include the Ala Moana neighborhood, are more tentative at this point. For the more information concerning the rail, visit the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s website at www.honolulutransit.org
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