NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

7/17/2024

Kali Watson, Chairperson
Hawaiian Homes Commission
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
P.O. Box 1879
Honolulu, Hawai’i 96805
(808) 620-9500

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the DHHL.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about August 5, 2024, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will submit a request to HUD for the release of Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant funds under Title VIII-Housing Assistance for Native Hawaiians of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) of 1996, as amended,
to undertake a project known as Hale Makana O Uluwehi (formerly known as
Ulu Ke Kukui) for the purpose of providing people of native Hawaiian ancestry
with safe, secure, and affordable housing. The island of O’ahu is experiencing a housing shortage across all demographics, including DHHL Beneficiaries.
As noted in the Oahu Island Plan (State of Hawaii, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, 2014), incorporated herein by reference and available online at https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/po/oip/, and in hard copy at DHHL’s planning library, an additional 1,390 acres of land suitable for residential development are needed to meet the homesteading needs of applicants on the residential waiting list for the island of Oahu. This project would help contribute to a reduction of the growing DHHL beneficiary waitlist. Forty percent of beneficiaries surveyed in 2020 reported that they had been on the list awaiting housing for over 20 years. As of April 1, 2024, the DHHL waitlist has grown to include over 24,079 applicants who are waiting for residential housing to become available.

The project as proposed will repurpose the existing Ulu Ke Kukui transitional apartments located on approximately five-acres into long-term affordable rentals and/or rentals with the option to purchase. Ulu Ke Kukui was originally designed for 30-day stays for homeless families. The current complex configuration includes
80 residential units, (40 2-bdrm, and 40 studios) within 5 buildings. In addition, it includes paved parking facilities and an administration building with offices, classrooms, a cafeteria, a commercial kitchen and two early childcare centers.
To make the complex more suitable for long-term rentals, all five residential buildings will be reconfigured into 40 renovated two-bedroom units, reducing the current density potential. The administration building will be reconfigured into a community center for residents. The parking will be expanded and community amenities will be added to the grounds. The redevelopment of the structures and grounds will occur as part of Phase I.

Phase I- Relocation/Redevelopment
The property is currently occupied by 1 tenant and 6 security, maintenance and management staff living on the property. Prior to redevelopment, The Uniform Relocation Act requirements will be followed for all eligible tenants remaining on the property. The following actions are proposed to renovate the interior of residential units as part of Phase I: interior space redesign with increased storage and closet space; replacement of flooring, plumbing, and fixtures; renovation of bathrooms and kitchens, installation of air conditioning, energy efficient windows, washer/dryer hook ups and new paint. The residential buildings will also include exterior additions of awnings and lanai to improve shade and cooling as well as individual electric meters for each unit. If feasible, the project will incorporate a greywater system. The condition of each building will be assessed. If based on the assessment a building is in a condition where renovation is infeasible, the building may be demolished and replaced with similar sized building with same unit count.

Phase I will also include construction of additional parking, landscaping, walking and exercise paths, bicycle parking facilities, recycling stations, fencing with access gates, security cameras, as well as carports for new and existing parking. Photovoltaic panels to provide power to the site are planned to be roof mounted on the carports. The redevelopment of the administration building will also be conducted during phase I to provide community spaces for the residences that are separate from social services that will be accessed outside of the community areas.

DHHL may install a pool or splash park at its discretion. Ground disturbing activities are expected to include necessary infrastructure repair/replacement for utilities (water, sewer, electrical, communication) as required to meet current code requirements, existing parking and internal roadways as well as installation of landscaping, new parking, ground mounted PV installations, and utility improvements as required for the installation of graywater systems, broadband, and/or water features if installed.

Phase II- Rental/Lease and Facility Management

The rental of units may begin as soon as the first residential building has been redeveloped. However, DHHL may choose to complete all of phase I prior to initiating phase II. DHHL and its agents will develop and administer a program for the rental of the 40 residential units. This program could include rental and utility assistance, housing counseling and other supportive services. Facility management will include both maintenance and rehabilitation activities to ensure the rental units and grounds are a safe and healthy environment. DHHL may choose to convert rental units to residential homestead leases at its discretion. Should this conversion occur, DHHL may offer financial assistance in the form of down-payment assistance, and other financial support services. Should this conversion occur, DHHL may offer financial assistance in the form of down-payment assistance, and other financial support services. The HUD funding amount is expected to be $9,600,000.00.

The proposed project is located on approximately five acres on a portion of TMK (1) 8-7-001:030 (also shown on some tax records as TMK (1) 8-7-010:007) and is bounded by Kula’aupuni Street and Holt Road on the west and south respectively. South and East of the project area is vacant land owned by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands that is planned for development into a residential homestead community. The northern perimeter of the project area is bounded by a canal. Land uses to the north and west of the site include single family residential uses and a child care facility. Other land uses near the site include an aggregate quarry and a Navy radio transmitting facility.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The DHHL has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) and will be posted on the HUD Exchange website. The ERR may be viewed and/or downloaded online at URL Link: https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews or upon request via email and/or hard copy as necessary from Malia M. Cox, who may be contacted at (808) 620-9500.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to DHHL’s consultant PBR HAWAII & Associates, Inc. at sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com. Reference the project by name: ‘Hale Makana O Uluwehi’. All comments received by August 3, 2024 will be considered by the DHHL prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The DHHL certifies to HUD that Kali Watson, in his capacity as Chairperson, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the DHHL to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the DHHL’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the DHHL; (b) the DHHL has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Honolulu Field Office at 1003 Bishop Street, Suite 2100, Honolulu, HI 96813. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Kali Watson, Chairperson, DHHL
(SA1461558 7/17/24)