This is to give notice that The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 and 11990, to determine the potential effect that its activity in the flood plain and wetland will have on the human environment for Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program under HUD grant numbers 23HBGI001, 24HBGI002, and 25HBGI003, among others.

The proposed project is the expenditure of Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) funds for the rehabilitation, demolition/re-construction, as well as infill new construction of up to 1,375 buildings on single-family residential lots within the established mixed-use neighborhood of Nanakuli and Princess Kahanu Estates on Hawaiian Homestead lands. The purpose of the proposed project is to provide people of native Hawaiian ancestry with safe and secure housing. The proposed work may involve the renovation of existing residential buildings, including interiors, exteriors, and associated infrastructure to serve Hawaiian families, as well as the demolition and new construction or reconstruction of a similar home in the same location. The proposed work may also involve or infill new construction of additional housing on vacant lots. Project improvements would include the evaluation of the existing infrastructure and repair and/or replacement of infrastructure to meet current county standards. It would also involve the conversion of any existing cesspools to Department of Health-approved Individual Wastewater Systems (IWS) or connection to public sewers. These infrastructure improvements may require digging and trenching in the location of the current utility services.

The proposed project is located within the established mixed-use neighborhoods of Nanakuli and Princess Kahanu Estates, moku of Waianae, island of Oahu, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, on tax plats 87033, 87042, 87043, 89002, 89002, 89003, 89004, 89005, 89006, 89007, 89009, 89010, 89011, 89012, 89013, 89012, 89013, 89014, 89015, 89016, 89017 on approximately 468 acres of Hawaiian Homestead lands. The vast majority of lots are comprised of residential buildings and serve the purpose of providing people of native Hawaiian ancestry with safe and secure housing.

Although much of the project area is located in Zone X (Outside 0.2%-Annual-Chance Floodplain, which is also the lowest risk flood zone in the state of Hawaii), parts of the project may be located near/adjacent to or overlap with special flood hazard areas, including Zone A (1%-Annual-Chance-Flood, no BFE), Zone AE
(1%-Annual-Chance Flood, with BFE), Zone AEF: (Floodway Areas in Zone AE), and Zone D (Unstudied Areas).

A number of wetlands occur throughout the project area, including Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland, Freshwater Emergent Wetland, Riverine, Estuarine and Marine Wetland, and Estuarine and Marine Deepwater. However, no work is anticipated to occur within a wetland. If any projects or necessary work included within the project activities as detailed above are determined to occur within 100 ft of a USFWS-designated wetland, DHHL will initiate further consultation with USFWS to assess and avoid/mitigate any potential impacts to wetlands and species common to wetland habitats as a part of the Tier 2 site-specific NEPA review process.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in wetlands and/or flood zones, and people who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas.

Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information about wetlands and flood zones can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in wetlands and flood zones, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by DHHL at the following address on or before May 23rd.

DHHL, PO Box 1879
Honolulu, HI 96805
Attention: Malia Cox, NAHASDA Compliance Specialist,