(AP) — A county affordable housing committee voted to recommend approval of a rental project on Lanai, where no new affordable homes have been built in 30 years. The Hokuao 201H Housing Project was proposed by billionaire Larry Ellison’s company Pulama Lanai. It includes the development of 150 two-bedroom rental homes on former pineapple fields. Half the units would be market priced. Council Chairwoman Alice Lee says the project is “desperately needed.” The Maui News reports the Maui County Council’s Affordable Housing Committee voted 8-0 to recommend giving the project the green light after multiple meetings packed with public testimony and hours of discussions.

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