EAST KAPOLEI TOD NEIGHBORHOOD
The East Kapolei Neighborhood TOD Plan presents an opportunity to create sustainable, compact mixed-use development in the areas surrounding the Honouliuli (Hoopili), Keone‘ae (University of Hawaii/UH – West Oahu), and Kualaka‘i (East Kapolei) rail transit stations. Located at the current western terminus of the 20-mile elevated rail transit line, each East Kapolei community will be connected with convenient rail transit access to downtown Honolulu. The three rail transit station areas are envisioned to be neighborhoods structured in a pedestrian-friendly environment with numerous housing, employment, educational, and recreational opportunities. Such compact, mixed-use development enhanced by pedestrian amenities takes full advantage of the benefits of rail transit service.
• Improve transportation network connections and accessibility
• Create multi-modal and interconnected communities
• Encourage a diverse mix of uses
• Create inviting gathering spaces
• Develop unique station area identities
• Promote a variety of housing choices
• Create a dynamic urban environment
• Encourage sustainable communities
STATION AREA PLANS
Kualaka‘i (East Kapolei) Station Area
This station area is envisioned to be a place to live, learn, work, shop, and play. It will provide a walkable community for families seeking a place for their children to be within walking and biking distance of the UH-West Oahu facilities. With proximity to the UH-West Oahu campus, learning, employment, and cultural opportunities will emerge to create a dynamic neighborhood.
Keone’ae (UH-West Oahu) Station Area
This station area will be a campus gateway to UH-West Oahu that will serve as a destination for students, workers, shoppers, and residents. The University Village could accommodate campus expansion and/or a mix of land uses, including retail, office, and residential uses, to foster a “town and gown” interaction with a main street-style atmosphere.
Honouliuli (Hoopili) Station Area
This station area will be a local, mixed-use community with a unique identity as a walkable, sustainable urban neighborhood for Oahu. The area surrounding the denser urban core, or town center, will provide a supportive neighborhood of medium-density residential uses with a diverse resident mix that will enjoy convenient access to rail transit service, a compact mix of uses, open spaces, a linear park, and activities in the town center.
ZONING & REGULATIONS
To help implement the TOD Plan, the City is proposing an expansion of the State Land Use Urban District, new mixed-use zoning, and a TOD Special District to increase density and regulate the site layout and ground-floor building design of new development in East Kapolei. 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 existing and proposed TOD zoning side by side.
State Land Uses
Proposal
Proposal to amend the State land use district map for East Kapolei to accommodate recommended zoning. The Agricultural District is replaced with the Urban District, which allows for City zoning.
Proposed State Land Use District
Boundary Amendment
– April 2025
Community Meeting Presentation
– April 2025
Zoning and Height Limits
Proposal
Proposal to amend the zoning maps for East Kapolei 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.
Proposed Zone Changes ≥ 5 acres
– April 2025
Proposed Zone Changes < 5 acres
– April 2025
Proposed Ancillary Zone Changes
– April 2025
Community Meeting Presentation
– April 2025
Special District Regulations
Proposal
Proposal to establish a TOD Special District in East Kapolei to reflect recommended TOD neighborhood boundary and supplement zoning. Regulations primarily focus on the 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.
Proposed Special District Boundary – April 2025
Community Meeting Presentation
– April 2025
RELATED DOCUMENTS
NEIGHBORHOOD TOD PLAN
East Kapolei Neighborhood TOD Plan Summary Brochure – January 2022
East Kapolei Neighborhood TOD Plan (adopted) – October 2020
Community Workshop #3 Display Boards – April 2010
Community Workshop #2 Summary – July 2009
Community Workshop #1 Summary – March 2009
SPECIAL DISTRICT AND ZONING
Community Meeting Presentation – April 2025
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A: The East Kapolei Neighborhood TOD Plan was adopted by the City Council in December 2020. A copy of the TOD Plan and related materials can be found in the Related Documents section on this page.
A: Items that help implement the the East Kapolei Neighborhood TOD Plan will be listed on this page, while development projects in the neighborhood can be found on the Development Projects page. Related items (e.g., those with 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 website at www.honolulutransit.org
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