Our Kakaako

When walking through Our Kakaako, one of the first features you’ll notice is the inclusion of street art throughout the community. In fact, Our Kakaako hosts the Pow Wow Art Movement, an initiative that gathers artists from around the world (including locals as well) to help create beautiful pieces of street art. This community encourages the forward movement of its residents and provides the perfect backdrop of new, creative murals.

The main selling factor of Our Kakaako is that it's been intentionally designed for the convenience of its residents. The community is highly walkable, providing opportunities for pedestrians to explore shops and restaurants without having to get into a car. The community also promotes environmental sustainability and encourages the connection between humans and the environment by providing open-air spaces perfect for mingling with friends and family.

Residential Details: Something for Everyone

The master plan for Our Kakaako (known as Kaiaulu ‘o Kakaako) was originally submitted in 2008 and approved in 2009 by the Hawaii Community Development Authority. This plan has since been amended and extended through the year 2034. The community will be developed across two increments, the first of which has already been completed.

Once finished, Our Kakaako will cover 9 city blocks. The community will offer a variety of housing types, including low-rise towers, high-rise towers, and townhomes. Furthermore, the neighborhood will be accessible to different levels of income, with opportunities to participate in the affordable housing program. High-end, luxury units will also be available as well.

Plans for Our Kakaako are meant to attract a diverse group of residents, from singles looking for their first condo to families looking for a neighborhood to raise children. In total, Our Kakaako will cover 29 acres of land, so it is a relatively large in size but is also condensed in a manner that makes it easier to navigate.

Phase I: Open for Business

As noted previously, Our Kakaako is being developed across two phases. Phase I, which includes the first 4 of 9 blocks, has already been completed and offers 1,336 residential units. About 34% of these units (456 in all) are listed as rental units.

The residential units in Phase I include Keauhou Place, The Flats at Pu'unui, 400 Keawe, Six Eighty, and The Collection. Two of these buildings (Six Eighty and The Flats) are comprised of rental units, including loft-style apartments ranging from studios to 3 bedrooms. Both buildings are pet-friendly and also include on-site laundry facilities. One of the main bonuses of living at Six Eighty is the 8,600 square feet of retail that is located on the ground floor of the building. This commercial space includes a Starbucks for your daily coffee run, an Inn for visitors, a cell phone company store, and Lanikai Juice.

Phase 2: Under Construction

The second phase of the Our Kakaako development will include an additional 5 blocks of space. Like Phase I, the second phase will also include plenty of retail spaces, residential units, and community artwork. Condos in this phase will be a mixture of high-rises and low-rises.

The first two blocks to be developed as a part of Phase 2 are Kahuina and Alia. Alia's construction will begin in mid-2023, while Kahuina will commence in January of 2024. Over half of the total Kahuina units planned (859, in all) will be listed as workforce and affordable housing properties. Alia will have a total of 457 residences — 411 units in the tower listed at market price, 6 in the podium at market price, and 40 units in the podium offered through HCDA's reserved housing program. Sales for all market units at Alia went on sale in the beginning of 2023 and we expect the reserved housing offering to be released next year.

In the August 2022, Kamehameha announced the selection of Prospac Holdings to redevelop Block G. The new development will be called Kaliu and according to their HCDA presentation, the project will include 338 market-priced units.

As of May 30, 2023, plans for development Block D and H have not been announced yet, but it was mentioned in the news that discussions with developers are in progress. While we're waiting on those releases, they did announce some of the new commercial tenants in Block D that have opened including One-2Buy and Arcimoto.

Other Kakaako Perks

There are plenty of things to do in Our Kakaako, many of which may make you not want to leave the area. The Kaiaulu 'O Kakaako Owners Association prides itself in maintaining Kakaako values, including a reverence for Hawaiian culture. The Association hosts block parties, pop-up retailers, stargazing, the Honolulu Food and Wine Festival, and a Bark in the Park initiative.

Salt at Our Kakaako is the attraction everyone is talking about within this community. The building covers a city block and incorporates 85,000 square feet of retail space. Residents can find anything from coffee shops to a bear café to Japanese-inspired foods at Salt. Additionally, Salt serves as a community leader in hosting events such as the Honolulu Night Market and Yoga at Night.

As you can see, Our Kakaako has plans to offer a variety of residential opportunities, complete with retail right at your doorstep. From farmers’ markets to cultural dances, Our Kakaako also supports a vibrant community that is full of character and culture. If you are considering buying or renting a condo or townhome, Our Kakaako is developing quickly, with some buildings completed and others in progress. If you’re interested in this community, I suggest investigating your options early, as places like these generally sell pretty quickly.