State Transit-Oriented Development Program
WHAT’S NEW!
Library Innovation Center to be Part of Kahului Mixed-Use Civic Center
The Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is moving into the design phase for the Kahului Mixed-Use Civic Center, which will house State offices, Department of Education Adult School facilities, and the Hawaii Public Library System’s first library innovation center on Maui. The new Civic Center will share this TOD project site in Kahului, Maui, with a Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) affordable housing project, and the County of Maui’s Kahului Transit Center—demonstrating the value of co-locating housing and civic facilities with transit.
The library innovation center will be located on the first floor and will feature 12,650 square feet of meeting rooms, makerspaces, and a kitchen for community cooking classes. The second floor will house the adult school, while State offices will occupy parts of the first, second, third, and fourth floors. The building is expected to have sustainability features such as solar panels and reflective glass for energy efficiency.
HHFDC selected EAH Housing to develop the housing project located on Kaʻahumanu Avenue, which is currently in the master planning phase. A Special Management Area (SMA) application will be submitted this year followed by a 201H application. Construction is projected to begin in 2027 with a completion date of 2029.
The County’s Kahului Transit Center, located off Vevau Street, opened in November 2024. It is adjacent to the civic center location, providing residents and bus riders ready access to and from the nearby Queen Ka‘ahumanu Shopping Center and the new library innovation center, Adult School, and State offices when built. The facility offers modern amenities such as a ticketing office, covered seating areas, bike racks, bathrooms, and on-site security. In the future, they have plans to install electric bus charging stations and public Wi-Fi.
The video recording of the presentation can be viewed here starting at 44 minutes 55 seconds: https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/lud/20241115TODMtg/GMT20241115-184302_VideoRecording.mp4
TOD Study Explores Infill Housing at Līhu‘e Civic Center
The County of Kauaʻi completed its Līhu‘e Civic Center Feasibility Study, which developed multifamily housing prototypes and analyzed feasibility of siting multifamily housing at the County’s Līhu‘e Civic Center property. Led by Stefan Pellegrini of Opticos Design, the initiative explored ways to leverage existing land and reduce barriers to redevelopment within the town core. By evaluating potential residential developments on current Civic Center parking, the study aimed to integrate housing in a specific location and support transit-oriented development (TOD) while maintaining Līhu‘e’s historic character.
Six building prototypes, including townhouses and courtyard buildings, were considered for cost-efficient workforce housing without subsidies. Four prototypes proved viable in the Opticos model. The project site is able to absorb 500 middle-income affordable housing units over five years. To enhance site feasibility and increase density, it was recommended that the developer relocate parking to nearby lots.
The study examined key challenges such as sewer capacity, stormwater management, and infrastructure needs. Sustainable solutions were emphasized such as water recycling and renewable energy. Stakeholder input highlighted the importance of maximizing housing density, preserving architectural sensitivity, and updating urban design plans for modern housing strategies.
The project aligns with Kauaʻi’s long-term urban and housing goals, offering an opportunity for future redevelopment phases.
The project was funded by a Office of Planning and Sustainable Development TOD CIP Planning Grant. The video recording of the presentation can be viewed here starting at 16 minutes 25 seconds: https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/lud/20241115TODMtg/GMT20241115-184302_VideoRecording.mp4
Hawaiʻi Interagency Council for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD Council)
On June 29, 2016, Governor David Ige signed into law Act 130, SLH 2016 (SB 3077) which designates the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (OPSD) as the lead State agency to coordinate and advance smart growth and TOD planning in the State. Act 130 also established the Hawaiʻi Interagency Council for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD Council).
The purpose of the TOD Council is to coordinate and facilitate State agency TOD planning, and to facilitate consultation and collaboration between the State and the counties on smart growth and TOD initiatives. Links to Act 130, SLH 2016 and a summary of its provisions are available below.
With representation from State and county governments and the community, the TOD Council serves as the State’s forum for TOD planning and policy development. The Council is co-chaired by the directors of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Hawaiʻi Housing and Finance Development Corporation (HHFDC). The TOD Council’s primary responsibilities are to:
- Develop and implement a State strategic plan for TOD, including mixed-use and affordable and rental housing projects;
- Facilitate funding for TOD programs and projects;
- Monitor TOD implementation and recommend needed policy and statutory changes; and
- Review Capital Improvement Project requests for TOD on State lands.
For information regarding TOD Council meetings, please click here or on the link in the sidebar to the right.
Click here to view Act 130, SLH 2016
Click here to view a summary of Act 130, SLH 2016
Other TOD-Related Legislation Enacted in 2016
Act 131 (HB 2293)
Allows HHFDC to develop mixed-use developments in partnership with State and county departments and agencies.
Click here to view Act 131, SLH 2016
Act 132 (HB 2305)
Authorizes the creation of Regional State Infrastructure Improvement Subaccounts within the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund and the use of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to provide loans and grants to finance regional state infrastructure improvements in areas of planned growth. Also allows repayment from assessments or fees which capture property value increases (IDs or TIF).
Click here to view Act 132, SLH 2016
Act 127 (SB 2561)
Establishes a goal of developing or vesting the development of at least 22,500 affordable rental housing units statewide ready for occupancy between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2026. Also establishes a temporary special action team on rental housing to make recommendations to the Governor, Legislature, and other parties to achieve the goal.
Click here to view Act 127, SLH 2016
Background
The State of Hawaiʻi is the largest landowner along Honolulu’s 20-mile rail transit corridor, owning about 2,000 acres of land within a half-mile radius of the 21 stations. As construction of the Honolulu rail transit system progresses, the State has a unique opportunity to enhance Oahu’s urban environment by applying smart growth and transit-oriented development (TOD) principles to revitalize neighborhoods, increase affordable housing, and improve accessibility to public facilities and services. On the Neighbor Islands, similar smart growth and TOD principles can be applied effectively in the provision of State facilities and services to encourage quality growth and vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods in urban or rural centers.
In 2012, OPSD and Smart Growth America convened a Project Stakeholders Group to develop a TOD implementation strategy for State agencies, entitled “Leveraging State Agency Involvement in Transit-Oriented Development to Strengthen Hawaii’s Economy.” This effort included three workshops and involved over 40 government and private and non-profit organizations.
In 2015, the State Transit-Oriented Development Task Force was formed, chaired by Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland. Monthly meetings were held to coordinate State agency projects and plans in the TOD areas surrounding the rail transit stations in Honolulu. A status report to the Governor and Legislature was prepared in December 2015.
Contact
If you have any questions about the State’s TOD efforts, please contact staff at OPSD – Land Use Division by email at [email protected] or by phone at (808) 587-2805.
TOD
Stay updated on the City and County's current activities and planning efforts for TOD around each rail station. Click here for more information.