Despite a growing senior population in Hawaii, nearly half of the rental units at the Franciscan Vistas Ewa are still available.

Jean Megofna, 84, lives alone, and that's how she wants it so she was thrilled to get this unit just a month ago.

"I was very, very hoo I was so happy and so I said thank you lord,” said Megofna.

Because it's affordable on a fixed income, it's quiet and safe, she says, and you get the amenities of a higher end facility. 

"Our pool is open, there's a beauty salon and there's an exercise room and a computer room,” she said.

The complex incorporates many green features like a water efficient landscaping system, solar water heating and they even used recycled gypsum wallboard for construction.

"It's also a place where they can get medical assistance, health assistance and anything to help keep them out of the hospitals and be able to continue to live a healthy lifestyle,” said Sister William Marie Eleniki of St. Francis Residential Care.

The Sisters of Saint Francis call it "holistic" homes.

The 149 apartments in six buildings face each other to encourage interaction, there's a laundry room to force residents to get out, move around and meet.

Some of the more than 100 residents who have moved in since January, donned a blue lei, at Tuesday’s blessing for the $40 million complex, a public-private collaboration in which the state provided $14 million in loans.

The one and two bedroom units rent for $745 to $885 per month.  And yet, only 52 percent of the units are occupied.

Applicants for the units must be 62 or older and with an income 60 percent of Honolulu’s median, about $42,000 for a single person.

For more information or an application, call #808-681-4000.