Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has approved a zone change for a project that would add 3,500 new houses to Koa Ridge in central Oahu.

“There is a great need for housing for Hawai‘i residents, not just for today, but for our future generations – our children and grandchildren,” said Bruce Barrett, executive vice-president of the developer Castle & Cooke, in a statement. “With Koa Ridge, we will develop a master-planned community that will meet the future needs of our residents.”

The company is now finalizing the master plan for the community and the project is scheduled to break ground in 2015.

The development has been in the works for 12 years but Castle & Cooke has faced significant resistance from environmental and community groups.

Critics say that the development will create surburban sprawl and that the proposal isn’t in line with the city’s commitment to focus development along its planned rail line. 

The homes would be at least two miles away from the nearest rail station. 

Critics also worry that the development will use up prime agricultural land and increase traffic. 

But advocates for the proposal, who include union leaders and city council members, argue that the project will provide much-needed housing.

It is also expected to generate 1,000 construction jobs along with another 1,600 jobs. In addition to 3,500 homes, the development will include a hospital and commercial space.

To read more about the Koa Ridge development, click here. 

This agricultural land in central Oahu is the site of what could one day become the new Koa Ridge community. (Michael Levine/Honolulu Civil Beat)

— Anita Hofschneider