D.R. Horton – Schuler Division’s Hoopili
When one of the nation’s largest home builders, D.R. Horton-Schuler Division (DRH), needed to build community support for its Hoopili project—a proposed, 1,554 acre, mixed-use, sustainable development in East Kapolei — it retained Bennet Group to assist with each stage of the entitlement and approval process.
With Bennet Group’s assistance, DRH created Hoopili’s Community Task Force, inviting community leaders and active residents from the greater Ewa region to come together to share their visions for the area’s future. Now approaching its sixth year as partners with DRH, the Task Force continues to serve as an advisory group for many planning elements for the project, including land uses, the relationship to rail and other issues such as traffic, transportation and connectivity to the existing, surrounding neighborhoods.
Bennet Group also manages Hoopili’s entire community relations effort, which entails building support throughout the community using various communications tools, including monthly e-newsletters, website management and media relations.
Additionally, Bennet Group is responsible for directing the community outreach program which involves ongoing interaction with key stakeholders from the community – such as residents, business partners, elected officials and key government entities.
Another key component to strengthening DRH’s brand is the company’s community giving program. Bennet Group ensures that the company – along with DRH’s philanthropic arm, the Schuler Family Foundation – is recognized as one of the state’s most generous corporate donors.