By Staff Reports
(Oahu – The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management (DHLM) has issued Request for Qualifications RFQ-DHLM-25-05, seeking a development partner to deliver a new affordable rental community in Royal Kunia.
The project site, home to the Royal Kunia Park & Ride and the Honolulu Community Action Program’s Head Start child care facility, is ideally positioned within an established neighborhood that already offers transit access and vital services.
“This project is about more than just building units—it is about renewing the promise of a community,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “In Royal Kunia, where generations of families already call home, we now have the opportunity to expand in a way that honors what exists. The land we are working with allows for hundreds of new affordable homes, right where people live, grow, and belong—connected to schools, transit, parks, and childcare. We are not just addressing a housing gap, we are strengthening the backbone of neighborhoods so families can stay, thrive, and continue weaving their stories in the places they love.”
Located at the corner of Kupuohi Street and Kupuna Loop, the site includes approximately 120,000 square feet (Lot C-2-A) for affordable housing, plus an adjoining parcel set aside for a future childcare facility. With direct access to the Park & Ride and Skyline connections, the location combines scale, convenience, and community amenities to meet urgent housing needs while supporting working families.
“Partnering with the development community to activate public lands is a cornerstone of the City’s Strategic Housing plan. We’ve identified 10 City owned properties with the potential to deliver approximately 2,500 units of housing. This is the eighth City-owned property we’ve activated this year, Each property tells a different chapter in Oʻahu’s housing story, and Royal Kunia is about strengthening a family-oriented community with new opportunities for residents leveraging public lands,” said Kevin D. Auger, DHLM director-designate. “The momentum we have built in activating these properties is unprecedented, and it reflects the deep alignment between the Mayor’s administration and the Honolulu City Council in our mutual effort to address our affordable housing crisis. By moving with urgency and scale, we are ensuring that the City’s lands are being put to work for the people they are meant to serve.”
“This project beautifully embodies the mission of kamaʻāina housing—keeping local families deeply connected to the communities they cherish. Royal Kunia is a shining example of community spirit, and our initiative is dedicated to expanding affordable housing while honoring that strong foundation,” said Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters. “We’re excited to find a partner who shares our vision for creating thriving communities, not just housing units. Working with the private sector and leveraging their expertise and resources, we can make significant progress in enriching our community. The Royal Kunia project seamlessly blends affordable housing with transit and childcare services to create environments where working families can truly flourish.”
A non-mandatory virtual pre-proposal conference is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM HST. Final RFQ submittals must be received by 1:00 PM HST on Friday, November 14, 2025. The selected developer will be offered a 75-year ground lease and is required to conduct robust community engagement throughout the planning and design process.
The full RFQ (RFQ-DHLM-25-05) and submission instructions are available online at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/26184
Learn more about how the City and County of Honolulu is managing public lands to create housing, preserve open space, and support essential services at www.honolulu.gov/dhlm/citylands