Affordable Housing Project Fails From Community Opposition in Honolulu

The final demise of a closely watched, controversial affordable housing project was reported this week in Honolulu.

1 minute read

September 25, 2020, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Oahu

cleanfotos / Shutterstock

Honolulu City Councilmembers voted down a proposed affordable housing project that would have added 73 units in Kailua, the day after the developers of the project withdrew their proposal after months of opposition from the local community.

An article by KITV Island News provides the brief account of the project's demise, a spate of earlier articles in various local media outlets detailed the troubling nature of a development controversy over affordable housing in a region struggling with a shortage of affordable housing options, just like so many other parts of the United States.

Brian Canevari wrote on the subject for a "Community Voice" piece published by Honolulu Civil beat in June. Evelyn Aczon Hao, Keith Webster, John Kawamoto published another "Community Voice" piece in the same publication in July. The articles call for changes to the law and to the culture of development, to ensure that more affordable housing is built to address the housing crisis on Oahu. 

The Associated Press also picked up news of the development controversy in June, as did local TV station KHON.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 in KITV4

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Regeneration of contaminated industrial land used for waste dumping, West Midlands, UK, 2006 .

EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites

The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.

2 hours ago - Environmental Protection

Archway made of bikes in Knoxville, Tennessee over Tennessee River.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway

The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

4 hours ago - WATE

25mph speed limit sign with digital "Your Speed" sign below it.

Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot

The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.

6 hours ago - WHYY