New West Oʻahu housing development will include on-site preschool funded by KS Kaiāulu

Local government officials and representatives from various organizations involved in the Parkway Village at Kapolei project gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony. Waiʻaleʻale Sarsona, vice president of Hiʻialo at Kamehameha Schools, is pictured on the far right. Ground blessing photos courtesy: Kobayashi Group

The $199 million project will include two early education centers and 405 rental units

Oct. 26, 2023

An affordable housing project in West Oʻahu that broke ground in September will offer two on-site preschools, including one that is being built with funds from Kamehameha Schools.

Kahu Kelekona Bishaw KSK’74 performed the blessing at the groundbreaking ceremony for Parkway Village at Kapolei. The $199 million mixed-use development will feature 405 rental units as well as early education facilities. Kamehameha Schools has been working with other partners on this project for the last three years.

“Kapolei is a growing community. We are pleased to be a partner in this new model of development where early learning opportunities are part of the housing complex, making it easier for families to access this critical educational need,” said Waiʻaleʻale Sarsona, vice president of Hiʻialo at Kamehameha Schools.

Providing access to high-quality early learning is a priority area for KS Kaiāulu, which helps to support Native Hawaiian keiki and ʻohana through investments in community programs. Kamehameha Schools will provide the funding to create a four-classroom facility that will be operated by an early learning provider. Kamehameha Schools wholeheartedly supports the state’s vision to provide access to all three- and four-year-old children in Hawaiʻi by 2032.

“Equity and social justice begin with access to foundational early learning opportunities in all of our communities,” said Sarsona. “Achieving this goal will take a lot of work, but it is a lifelong investment in our keiki who will lead our lāhui in the future.”

Construction for Parkway Village is expected to be finished in fall 2025. The project is being developed by Kobayashi Group and Āhē Group in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, CREA LLC, and Bank of Hawaiʻi.

“Parkway Village serves as an example of the government and the private sector collaborating to benefit O‘ahu families,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “We are creating opportunities for our keiki to thrive in school and in life in this community.”

Waiʻaleʻale Sarsona poses for a photo with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and Kahu Kelekona Bishaw KSK’74.