Aerial view of the City-owned redevelopment site (highlighted in yellow) along Dillingham Boulevard. The property sits directly across from the future Mokauea (Kalihi) Skyline Station. The blue line represents the Skyline rail guideway, with markers showing the locations of upcoming stations extending toward Downtown Honolulu.

City takes next step to bring transit-oriented housing and community renewal to Dillingham Boulevard

News Release from DHLM, Aug 25, 2025

HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management (DHLM) has issued Request for Qualifications RFQ-DHLM-25-04, seeking a qualified development partner to transform two adjoining City-owned parcels in Kalihi into a vibrant, transit-oriented affordable housing community.

The 2.25-acre site—formerly home to the beloved Dee Lite Bakery—includes the bakery’s old building at 1930 Dillingham Boulevard and the adjacent parcel at 1907 Eluwene Street. Located directly across from the future Mokauea (Kalihi) Skyline Station, the site is ideally positioned for redevelopment, with excellent access to public transit, schools, small businesses, and civic institutions.

“This marks our seventh City-owned property we’ve brought to market though a Request for Qualifications in 2025 ,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Our housing team is building an incredible development pipeline, and this opportunity reflects our commitment to doing transit-oriented development the right way: housing our people near jobs, transit, and services. I’m very proud of the Department of Housing and Land Management’s exceptional work, and I look forward to seeing this project move forward with the urgency, purpose, and vision our communities deserve.”

“This is an opportunity to bring meaningful investment to a community that has long supported our island’s workforce,” said Kevin D. Auger, DHLM Director-designate. “This RFQ is about honoring that legacy—by creating quality, affordable housing for local families while respecting the neighborhood’s rich history and identity. With community workshops now underway to shape the design of the nearby Mokauea Station, the timing for this solicitation is ideal. These efforts are moving forward in tandem, ensuring the housing and transit investments complement each other and deliver the greatest benefit to the community.”

The current frontage of the former Dee Lite Bakery at 1930 Dillingham Boulevard.

Rendering of the future Mokauea (Kalihi) Skyline Station, which will connect to the adjacent City-owned property at 1907 Eluwene Street (yellow building).

The selected developer will be required to conduct robust community engagement throughout the planning and development process. This will include hosting and participating in meetings with neighborhood boards, the City Council, and community-based organizations, as directed by the City. A development schedule will be established in partnership with the selected developer, with additional timeline details to be announced after selection.

A non-mandatory virtual pre-proposal conference is scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2025, at 3:30 PM HST. Prospective offerors are strongly encouraged to attend to learn more about the project scope and to ask questions regarding the RFQ requirements.

Final submittals must be received by 1:00 PM HST on Friday, October 10, 2025.

The full RFQ (RFQ-DHLM-25-04) and submission instructions are available here.

—PAU—

LINK: OPEN: 1930 Dillingham Blvd and 1907 Eluwene Street (RFQL-DHLM-25-04) | Department of Housing and Land Management

BACKGROUND:

2017: Rail Stations Designed to Profit KSBE, HECO, First Hawaiian

2021: OHA Sinks $47M into Iwilei Real Estate Deal

2023: "An opportunity drops into OHA’s lap"

2024: $1.6B state plan aims to boost housing around rail stations in Iwilei, Kapalama | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

2025: OHA-Connected DTL Selected to Handle Iwilei Master Planning