Kapolei homesteaders press DHHL to preserve promised 9‑acre park as commission approves land awards

Homesteaders urged the Hawaiian Homes Commission on June 15 to preserve a 9‑acre parcel in Kapolei that residents said was promised decades ago as a park and recreation site, a dispute that surfaced during the commission’s regular meeting alongside several administrative approvals.

Lily Maka, acting planning program manager for DHHL, told the commission that outreach for the parcel included an April 13 in‑person meeting and a 30‑day comment period; roughly 2,892 postcards were mailed and 39 people signed in for the meeting, most identifying as current homesteaders. Staff summarized three recurring themes: strong local support for a community gathering space, long‑standing expectations that the parcel would be a park, and complaints about poor communication during prior transfers of the land.

Homesteaders who testified said the parcel once held a clear public‑space designation in older master plans and that it was later held by HHFDC before transferring to DHHL in 2022. “We were promised a park,” said Kiko Hegy, citing commitments made when residents selected their lots. Hegy told the commission he and others have campaigned for the parcel for roughly 20 years and urged the department to either relocate newly awarded homes or cut an award to preserve recreational space for children and community gatherings.

Other speakers described safety and access concerns. Danielle de Lima said children from the homestead now play in narrow roadways and must cross a busy Kapolei Parkway to reach the nearest recreational amenity. “Our keiki just need somewhere to play,” she said, asking the commission to formalize follow‑up engagement with the community.

Planning staff recommended the department develop an open community space suitable for recreational uses that could serve as a plaza or picnic area for the new development. Lily Maka said the presentation indicated homesteaders likely would not manage operations and maintenance for the first 15 years after construction; staff proposed checking resident preferences again after occupancy (suggesting around year 10) to consider long‑term operation and maintenance models.

Commission discussion acknowledged competing obligations. Chair Watson and staff reiterated that parcels acquired with certain funding sources — notably act‑279 acquisitions used to reduce the waiting list — are tied to statutory or programmatic requirements to produce homestead awards and reduce the applicant list. Commissioners and staff said they will continue to explore options, including relocation of awarded units or alternative sites, and to improve direct outreach to the 61 project lessees who are slated to receive homes on or near the parcel.

The meeting included no immediate reversals of awarded leases; staff recorded public sentiment and recommended additional beneficiary engagement during and after occupancy. The commission convened an executive session later in the meeting for unrelated litigation matters and adjourned after confirming the next meeting date.