Developers and government officials held a blessing for a new 324-unit housing development that will offer long-term workforce rentals and a community/recreation center on 14.4 acres in Wailuku.

Kaulana Mahina will include studios and one- to three-bedroom units and amenities such as a gym, pool, yoga room, resident lounge, lawn area for a playground and a dog park — all included in monthly rent, according to a news release.

Kumu Kapono’ai Molitau led the blessing ceremony for the project and the construction crew on Monday. The site is bound by Waiale Road to the east, Kuikahi Drive to the north and Honoapiilani Highway to the west.

“This will be the first workforce apartment project developed on Maui in more than 20 years,” Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Breaking ground on this new development is another important milestone in our efforts to provide more affordable rentals for our hard-working residents.”

The development is 60 percent affordable and is a 201H affordable housing project, meaning it went through the county fast-track process that allows certain exemptions for affordable projects.

The developer is BIT Wailuku LLC, which is comprised of PNC Realty Investors Inc., Legacy Partners, Pacific Coast Capital Partners, Dowling Company, Pier Investments and Schatz Collaborative LLC, according to a news release.

The project is a collaboration with the Maui County Mayor’s Office and the Maui County Council, as well as the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.