Growth is still happening in West Oʻahu, according to industry leaders in housing, retail and health care. But there have definitely been challenges.
DR Horton’s master-planned community, Hoʻopili, closed on its 1,000th home this year, according to Ryan Gross, vice president of sales and marketing and principal broker.
The development also made headway on amenities, such as a festival street designed for block parties, community murals, and a “bark and ride.” That last one combines a bark park with a Honolulu rail transit station.
All that and more is happening despite supply chain issues that have slowed down construction supplies.
Also delayed by supply chain issues, the forthcoming MINI of Hawaii dealership, which will be Kapolei’s first new car dealership.
Dennis Short, president of BMW of Honolulu and MINI of Hawaii, now describes the project as “opening soon.”
When it does, it will make automotive history for the MINI brand in North America as Short spent years convincing BMW to allow this new MINI dealership to also service BMWs. If successful, the model could go nationwide.
Labor has been a bigger challenge than supplies for Hawaiʻi Pacific Health. The hospital system has had a wave of retirements just as they see a rush of patients. Not COVID patients, but people who had put off care and screenings through COVID for fear of going out.
David Underriner, executive vice president of Oʻahu operations, says one result is these patients are sicker than they might’ve been. To help alleviate COVID concerns, HPH has taken vaccinations out into the community, administering more than 28,000 in West Oʻahu alone.
