Kamaʻāina Housing for Waikīkī
1615 Ala Wai Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96815
Centre Urban Real Estate, Watt Capital Partners, hi.arch.y llp, and Island Structural Contracting are excited to present Cardinal o Ala Wai—the transformation of 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard into a vibrant workforce housing community of 40 one-bedroom rental units serving kama'āina households at 60% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The proposed six-story building--approximately 60 feet in height and serviced by an elevator—offers a modest, contemporary evolution of the walk-up housing that historically occupied the site. At a time when it’s increasingly difficult for kama'āina to live near their jobs, Cardinal o Ala Wai aims to put housing where the jobs are—in the heart of Waikīkī—so kama'āina can spend less time commuting and more time living in their community.
Why “Cardinal”?
The word Cardinal traces to the Latin word cardinalis, meaning “of the hinge.” A hinge lets a door pivot, so “Cardinal” came to mean pivotal or essential.
What that means here: Our team strives to be a hinge for pivotal, positive change—bringing forward practical, community-driven solutions and innovations that address the housing crisis, essential to help our kamaʻāina remain in Hawaiʻi.
The word Cardinal traces to the Latin word cardinalis, meaning “of the hinge.” A hinge lets a door pivot, so “Cardinal” came to mean pivotal or essential.
What that means here: Our team strives to be a hinge for pivotal, positive change—bringing forward practical, community-driven solutions and innovations that address the housing crisis, essential to help our kamaʻāina remain in Hawaiʻi.
Before
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After
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Located at the ʻEwa (western) end of Waikīkī, the property previously contained an 18-unit, three-story apartment building (circa 1949) that sat vacant for more than two decades and became a source of blight, vandalism, and trespassing. The City & County of Honolulu condemned the property in 2024 and completed demolition in summer 2025. In May 2025, the City & County selected the Centre Urban-Watt team as the Preferred Negotiating Partner to lead its redevelopment. Cardinal o Ala Wai reflects a simple, durable, and community-minded approach to delivering much-needed housing for local residents—respecting neighborhood scale while advancing the City & County’s broader goals for a more livable Waikīkī.
Project Vision
As our second Cardinal project in Waikīkī, the Centre Urban–Watt team is poised to apply the lessons and best practices from Cardinal o Waikīkī (2533 Kāneloa Road)—streamlined design, durable materials, efficient construction, and thoughtful engagement. Cardinal o Ala Wai fills a missing rung on the housing ladder: quality moderate-income rental housing for kama'āina. By delivering attainable apartments close to jobs and daily needs, we reduce commute burdens and help kama'āina reclaim time for family, health, and community life. Our vision is a stepping-stone for upward mobility. This is also playing a part in stopping the trend of kama'āina being forced to move to the mainland. Keeping people in place means friendships, families, schools, and support networks can endure for decades and across generations.
In short: efficient, dignified, well-located housing that strengthen Waikīkī’s social fabric and ensure kamaʻāina can stay in our community.
In short: efficient, dignified, well-located housing that strengthen Waikīkī’s social fabric and ensure kamaʻāina can stay in our community.
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Project Goals
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Development Program
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*Designs subject to change.
Urban Context
Design Overview
The Cardinal o Ala Wai site totals 9,454 square feet and fronts Ala Wai Boulevard, with vehicular access via a private driveway off Lipeʻepeʻe Street. The parcel lies within the Apartment District Precinct of the Waikīkī Special District (WSD) and is eligible under ROH Chapter 32 for by-right affordable rental development.
Drawing from our efficient, single-loaded prototype at Cardinal o Waikīkī, the concept envisions a six-story mid-rise with five residential levels above a ground floor, targeting eight (8) one-bedroom units per residential floor for a total of 40 one-bedroom units. The single-loaded corridor faces mauka to maximize daylight and views while enhancing privacy from neighboring buildings. The mid-rise form is intentionally modest to preserve view corridors and neighborhood scale while delivering workforce homes for kamaʻāina close to jobs. The building structure is anticipated as precast concrete for durability, speed, and reduced neighborhood disruption. The project’s simplicity—regular spans, repetitive unit stacks, and minimal excavation—supports cost control and a shorter construction window, reducing impacts to neighbors.
The site is within FEMA Flood Zone AE with a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) of 7 feet. Habitable space is elevated above BFE, and ground-level enclosures will utilize flood-resistant construction. An existing sewer easement at the makai end of the lot constrains building length. The plan retains the existing angled surface parking along the private drive off Lipeʻepeʻe Street - approximately 6–7 stalls - and does not add a new curb cut on Ala Wai Boulevard. The lobby and elevator is positioned off of Ala Wai Boulevard to encourage pedestrian flow from that direction to encourage interface with TheBus and nearby Biki bikeshare stations.
We recognize Waikīkī’s deep cultural history and will proceed with utmost sensitivity to iwi kūpuna. The team will comply with HRS Chapter 6E and SHPD procedures, including submission of the appropriate applications, and, if requested by SHPD, implementation of an Archaeological Inventory Survey (AIS) and/or an Archaeological Monitoring Plan (AMP) with qualified monitors on site. We will follow inadvertent discovery protocols, consult with SHPD and cultural stakeholders, and adjust construction practices to protect cultural resources, honoring lineal and cultural descendants.
As Cardinal o Ala Wai moves forward, we will continue to be proactive in engagement and updating the community here.
Drawing from our efficient, single-loaded prototype at Cardinal o Waikīkī, the concept envisions a six-story mid-rise with five residential levels above a ground floor, targeting eight (8) one-bedroom units per residential floor for a total of 40 one-bedroom units. The single-loaded corridor faces mauka to maximize daylight and views while enhancing privacy from neighboring buildings. The mid-rise form is intentionally modest to preserve view corridors and neighborhood scale while delivering workforce homes for kamaʻāina close to jobs. The building structure is anticipated as precast concrete for durability, speed, and reduced neighborhood disruption. The project’s simplicity—regular spans, repetitive unit stacks, and minimal excavation—supports cost control and a shorter construction window, reducing impacts to neighbors.
The site is within FEMA Flood Zone AE with a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) of 7 feet. Habitable space is elevated above BFE, and ground-level enclosures will utilize flood-resistant construction. An existing sewer easement at the makai end of the lot constrains building length. The plan retains the existing angled surface parking along the private drive off Lipeʻepeʻe Street - approximately 6–7 stalls - and does not add a new curb cut on Ala Wai Boulevard. The lobby and elevator is positioned off of Ala Wai Boulevard to encourage pedestrian flow from that direction to encourage interface with TheBus and nearby Biki bikeshare stations.
We recognize Waikīkī’s deep cultural history and will proceed with utmost sensitivity to iwi kūpuna. The team will comply with HRS Chapter 6E and SHPD procedures, including submission of the appropriate applications, and, if requested by SHPD, implementation of an Archaeological Inventory Survey (AIS) and/or an Archaeological Monitoring Plan (AMP) with qualified monitors on site. We will follow inadvertent discovery protocols, consult with SHPD and cultural stakeholders, and adjust construction practices to protect cultural resources, honoring lineal and cultural descendants.
As Cardinal o Ala Wai moves forward, we will continue to be proactive in engagement and updating the community here.
Timeline
March 2025: Team Responded to City & County RFQ-DLM-25-01
May 2025: Team Selected as Preferred Negotiating Partner
May – November 2025: Exclusive Negotiation Period
November 4, 2025: Waikīkī Neighborhood Board Presentation
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Q4 2025: Public Hearing hosted by City & County
Q1 2026: Presentation to City Council Committee on Housing, Homelessness & Parks
Q1 2026: City Council Approval of Development Contract and Ground Lease
Q4 2026: Target Groundbreaking and Construction Start
Q4 2027: Target Completion Date
May 2025: Team Selected as Preferred Negotiating Partner
May – November 2025: Exclusive Negotiation Period
November 4, 2025: Waikīkī Neighborhood Board Presentation
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Q4 2025: Public Hearing hosted by City & County
Q1 2026: Presentation to City Council Committee on Housing, Homelessness & Parks
Q1 2026: City Council Approval of Development Contract and Ground Lease
Q4 2026: Target Groundbreaking and Construction Start
Q4 2027: Target Completion Date
*Timeline subject to change.
Project Team
Frequently Asked Questions
How Tall is the proposed building and how many units?
The proposed project is a six-story building - approximately 60 feet in height - with five residential levels above a ground floor, targeting eight (8) one-bedroom units per residential floor for a total of 40 one-bedroom units. The project will be comprised of moderate-income rental units, as opposed to for-sale condominiums.
How much parking will be provided?
The concept design retains the existing angled surface parking along the private road off Lipeʻepeʻe Street - approximately 6–7 stalls - and does not add a new curb cut on Ala Wai Boulevard. On-site secured bike and moped storage is anticipated to be included. The lobby and elevator is positioned off of Ala Wai Boulevard to encourage pedestrian flow from that direction to encourage interface with TheBus and nearby Biki bikeshare stations.
How will trash be serviced?
The proposed project is anticipated to have a trash chute and enclosed trash room.
What type of Residents is the project targeting?
The project is targeting kama'āina residents at 60% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In 2025, 80% AMI is $85,120 for an individual and $121,600 for a family of four; 60% AMI is $63,840 for an individual and $91,200 for a family of four.
When is construction estimated to start and how long will it last?
City Council approvals and building permits are anticipated to take until the second half of 2026, at which time construction can commence. Due to the anticipated pre-cast concrete construction method, construction is expected to take no longer than 12 months.
Will the private road be utilized for construction?
While we are unable to make a determination at this point regarding the construction logistics, we will ensure that the private road is restored, if needed, to its prior condition upon completion of the project and will strive to minimize as much disruption to neighbors to the extent possible. We recognize that it is everyone's best interest that the private road is well-maintained and clean.
Will there be a professional property manager upon completion?
Yes, the anticipation is that the project will be professionally managed.
How can I provide comments?
As the project moves through the approval process, there will be opportunities to provide comments at various public hearings. To provide online comments, please email [email protected].
