The 11,750-home Ho’opili project received a 5-0 initial approval from the Honolulu City Council Zoning Committee Thursday morning.

The project, on mostly agricultural lands sandwiched between Kapolei and Ewa, is the largest rezoning plan to come before the Council in at least two decades.

Dozens of people testified for and against the project at a meeting Monday night that was continued Thursday morning. Supporters of the D.R. Horton/Schuler Inc. plan say the homes and jobs are badly needed. Opponents argue the project takes away prime agricultural lands and would add to existing West Oahu traffic woes.

The proposal still needs two more readings of the full Council and at least one more go-around before the Zoning Committee.