HALE KAWILI APARTMENTS

The Hale Kawili (HK) Apartments is the only dedicated apartment-style housing on the UH Hilo campus that specifically serves students, faculty, and staff with families. With 25 two-story residential buildings, a community center/office, surface parking, a basketball court, and a children’s play area, this unique housing option is vital for supporting family life within the academic community.

CDAC's Role

The Community Development Alliance Corporation (CDAC), our nonprofit organization committed to community and economic development across Hawaii, was selected by the University of Hawaii as the most qualified respondent following a rigorous evaluation. CDAC now holds ownership of the HK Apartments through a long-term ground lease with the University and assumes full responsibility for:

• Property management and operations
• Utilities and maintenance
• Capital improvements and eventual redevelopment

Project Objectives

• Preserve Affordable Family Housing: Maintain access to affordable apartment-style housing for UH Hilo and Hawaii Community College students, faculty, and staff with families.
• Support University Mission: Enhance recruitment, retention, and overall student success by addressing the unique housing needs of family-serving populations.
• Enable Long-Term Revitalization: Subject to financial feasibility, CDAC plans to redevelop the site into modern, replacement rental housing aligned with evolving campus needs.

University Support

The University of Hawaii has committed to promoting the HK Apartments as part of its student housing offerings and will assist CDAC with necessary data to meet reporting and disclosure obligations. This includes demographic, enrollment, financial, and occupancy information to support transparency and performance evaluation.

Community & Economic Impact

This partnership aligns with CDAC’s mission to strengthen communities by improving access to housing and economic opportunity. For the University, it directly supports academic success and access to higher education, especially for students balancing family responsibilities. The effort also contributes to broader economic development goals by enhancing the pipeline of college-educated residents and future leaders in Hawaii.

CDAC is honored to support UH Hilo by preserving and improving much-needed housing for students and families. This initiative directly aligns with our mission to foster community development and economic opportunity across Hawaii and the rest of the U.S.