Office of Planning and Sustainable Development

State Transit-Oriented Development Program

WHAT’S NEW!

School Facilities Authority is Advancing Teacher Housing and Preschool Expansion

Established in the 2020–2021 legislative session, the Hawaiʻi School Facilities Authority (SFA) is tackling two of the State’s most pressing challenges—affordable teacher housing and expanding preschool capacity.  SFA’s efforts are aimed at recruiting and retaining educators and supporting early childhood education.  They are using a design-build-finance-operate-maintain model for housing development.  State funds will not be used for actual construction.  The focus is on minimizing the State’s risk by  having qualified developers absorb the construction costs; in return, the developers are able to collect rental income and have a subsidized lease rent on the land.  SFA is currently conducting due diligence on potential sites in critical need areas statewide:  mapping utilities, evaluating zoning, and identifying regulatory barriers.

SFA recently awarded a 65-year ground lease project to Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation to develop housing on the Mililani High School campus.  The agency is also working closely with the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Housing to explore teacher housing opportunities in transit-oriented development (TOD) areas.

SFA, in partnership with the Lieutenant Governor’s Ready Keiki Initiative, is working on preschool expansion, partnering with other agencies to increase statewide preschool capacity.  SFA aims to add 8,000 new preschool seats across the State.  DOE has supported these efforts by allowing the conversion of unused kindergarten classrooms into preschool facilities.  Priority is being given to areas with high population density, significant job clusters, and proximity to public transit.  There are also opportunities to co-locate preschools within future workforce housing developments, creating stronger, more connected communities.

The video recording of the presentation can be viewed here starting at 14 minutes 28 seconds:  https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/lud/20250221TODMtg/GMT20250221-193334_Recording_1920x1080%20(1).mp4.  Visit the SFA website to learn more about their workforce housing and preschool programs, https://www.hisfa.org/.

ORTP 2050 will Shape the Future of Oʻahu’s Transportation Network

ORTP 2050 will Shape the Future of Oʻahu’s Transportation NetworkThe Oʻahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) is well into its update of the Oʻahu Regional Transportation Plan 2050 (ORTP 2050), which sets the foundation for a more connected, sustainable, safe, and efficient transportation system on Oʻahu.  The plan focuses on multimodal solutions that enhance safety, affordability, and resilience while incorporating cultural values.

Oahu Regional Transportation Plan 2050

Key strategies include expanding rail and bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, improving active transportation options with wider sidewalks and bikeways, integrating land use with transportation planning, and enhancing safety through Vision Zero initiatives.

As part of its long-range planning efforts, OMPO has implemented a scenario planning process to assess how different sets of transportation projects can meet ORTP 2050 goals.  The analysis suggests that expanding BRT services—between Downtown and Waikīkī, as well as Downtown and Hawaiʻi Kai—would address high transit demand.  Additionally, extending rail to the University of Hawai‘i and Waikīkī would significantly improve transit access.  Roadway-focused scenarios, on the other hand, are expected to increase vehicle miles traveled (VMT), potentially exacerbating congestion.  While a roadway usage charge (RUC) would have minimal impact on VMT, converting high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes into high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes could help reduce both congestion and overall VMT.

Public outreach has been a critical component of the OMPO planning process.  Public input has shown strong support for transit and active transportation projects, with the community prioritizing safety, expanded sidewalks, bikeways, and improved rail and BRT services.  Many favor the implementation of HOT lanes to ease traffic congestion.

Moving forward, OMPO will continue refining its project evaluation process, soliciting and selecting potential projects for inclusion in the plan, and developing a comprehensive program that aligns with ORTP 2050 objectives.  ORTP 2050 represents a transformative step toward a safer, more efficient, and climate-resilient transportation future for Oʻahu, ensuring that residents and visitors alike benefit from an improved and integrated mobility system.  The final report is expected to be completed by April 2026.

The video recording of the presentation can be viewed here starting at 31 minutes 10 seconds:  https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/lud/20250117TODMtg/GMT20250117-193320_Recording_3840x2160.mp4.  Visit the ORTP website to learn more about the project and stay up-to-date on its progress.

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