NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
5/6/2024
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 May 24th, 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 Waipouli Acquisition for the purpose of providing people of native Hawaiian ancestry with safe, secure, and affordable housing. The State of Hawai’i is experiencing a housing shortage across all demographics, including DHHL Beneficiaries. This project would help contribute to a reduction of the growing DHHL beneficiary waitlist, which has grown to include over 29,400 individual native Hawaiians who are waiting for housing to become available. The applicant waitlist for beneficiaries waiting for residential housing awards on just Kaua’i is 1,735 as of April 2024. Forty percent of beneficiaries surveyed in 2020 reported that they had been on the list awaiting housing for over 20 years.
The proposed undertaking will include the expenditure of federal funds for the acquisition of land and improvements as well as repair of existing units. Unit repair activities may include interior and exterior repair, and repaving of roadways and parking (no change in depth of base course). The project will include an evaluation of existing on-site infrastructure and repair and/or replacement of infrastructure improvements.
The infrastructure improvements may require digging, trenching, repair, and/or replacement of current utilities and structures including but not limited to electrical, water, wastewater, communication and storm water. The undertaking includes maintenance of the residential buildings, grounds and other on-site structures, but no changes in site layout are planned. The undertaking may also include financial activities such as rental assistance, financing, and refinancing assistance for residents. The HUD funding amount is expected to be $25,000,000.
The proposed project includes the expenditure of federal funds for the acquisition of land and improvements as well as repair of existing units, located at 401 Papaloa Road (TMK (4) 3-001-014:0000), Town of Waipouli, Moku of Puna, Island of Kauai, Hawaii 96746. The 82-unit multi-family residential complex is known as ”Courtyards at Waipouli”. The 5.84-acre site is developed with 10 residential buildings, laundry and office buildings, parking areas, landscaping, and associated improvements. The complex was constructed in 2009.
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 or malia.m.cox@hawaii.gov.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Office of the Chair, Attn: Malia Cox, malia.m.cox@hawaii.gov. Reference the project by name: Waipouli Acquisition. All comments received by May 23rd, 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
(SA/HTH/WHT/TGI1453699 5/6/24)
