NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS January 27, 2021 William J. Aila, Jr., Chairman Department of Hawaiian Home Lands P.O. Box 1879 Honolulu, Hawai’i 96805 (808) 620-9501 On or about February 4, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will submit a request to the 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 Single-Family Home New Construction, TMK (3) 2-5-004:043 for the purpose of demolition and reconstruction of the existing single family dwelling at 2044 Uhaloa Rd, Hilo, HI 96720, in the County of Hawai’i, State of Hawai’i. The HUD funding amount is expected to be $400,000. No other funds are expected to be utilized. The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. A copy of the Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is available at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/environmental-review/environmental-review-records/, or upon request via email or hardcopy if necessary from Cynthia Rezentes, who may be contacted at (808) 620-9228 or Cynthia.Rezentes@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 Chairman, Attn: Cynthia Rezentes Uhaloa Road Project, P.O. Box 1879, Honolulu, HI 96805. All comments received by February 3, will be considered by the DHHL prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The DHHL certifies to HUD that William J. Aila, Jr in his capacity as Chairman 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 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 via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Honolulu Field Office, Office of Native American Programs at claudine.c.allen@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Honolulu Field Office, Office of Native American Programs via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period. William J. Aila, Jr., Chairman, DHHL