74 Rentals for Working Families on Beachfront Lots: The Latter-day Saints’ Land Arm Plans Homes in Laie

• Hawaii Reserves Inc., the Hawaii land management arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, plans 74 rental units in Laie, Oʻahu.
• The project, Na Hale Manai, would sit on 14 beachfront lots.
• Rents would range from $1,200 to $1,600 a month for one bedroom and $2,400 to $3,000 for three bedrooms.
• Construction would start in 2027 or 2028 at the earliest; some neighbours object to use of a private lane.

The Hawaii land company of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wants to build rental homes for working families on Oʻahu’s North Shore. Honolulu Civil Beat columnist Denby Fawcett reported that Hawaii Reserves Inc. (HRI), the Hawaii land management arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, plans dozens of rentals in Laie.

The project, called Na Hale Manai, would put 74 rental units on 14 beachfront lots at Laie Beach, in the Koʻolauloa area. It would include duplexes, multiplexes and some single homes with one, two and three bedrooms. One-bedroom units would rent for $1,200 to $1,600 a month and three-bedroom units for $2,400 to $3,000. The homes are aimed at local working people and smaller families, and would be built in phases, with construction starting in 2027 or 2028 at the earliest.

HRI president Eric Beaver said: “We are told that all most working families can afford are rental units.” He added: “Families want to raise their kids where they were raised. With this project, more families and individuals can have a roof.”

Not everyone is happy. Resident Faye Fukuyama said: “They were just going ahead and doing their own thing on our lane without our authorization.” Attorney William Saunders Jr. said HRI needs the “consent of the other private road owners to proceed.”

The Laie plan shows a church using its land company to add rental housing for people who might otherwise leave the area. Jamaican denominations with large rural or coastal holdings could consider similar mid-market rentals for teachers, nurses and other workers. The neighbours’ objection is a reminder to settle access rights early: a road that looks public may belong to others, and development can stall until they agree.

Follow Jamaica Homes on Youtube @jamaicahomes and Instagram @jamaica_homes and on Facebook @jamaicahomesnews Send us a message or email us at onlinefeedback@jamaica-homes.com or editor@jamaica-homes.com