PUBLIC NOTICE
COUNTY OF HAWAII
FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the County of Hawaii.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about February 3, 2023, the County of Hawaii will submit a request to the HUD administering agency for the release of Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Funds administered by HUD under CFR 24 Subtitle B, Chapter IX Part 983, to undertake a project known as the Na Hale Makoa Affordable Rental Housing Project (formerly known as Kamakoa Nui Workforce Housing) for the purpose of providing 140 much-needed affordable multi-family housing units in the County of Hawaii.
The proposed project is located at TMK: (3) 6-8-042:022 and is at the south-west corner of Paniolo Avenue and Kamakoa Drive, within the Office of Housing and Community Development’s (OHCD) Kamakoa Nui project in the Waikoloa Ahupuaa. The proposed project area is bounded by Paniolo Avenue and undeveloped land to the east, Kamakoa Drive and Kamakoa Park to the north, Iwikuamoo Drive and an existing residential subdivision to the west and an existing residential subdivision to the south (see the Regional Location Map enclosed within the NEPA EA). The HUD funding amount is expected to be $30,155,012.
Na Hale Makoa will be a 140-unit affordable workforce housing development intended to serve Hawaii County residents who are employed in the surrounding area. Rental opportunities will be limited to households with incomes ranging from 30 percent to 140 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). More specifically, Pacific Housing plans to cater to a mix by AMI as follows: 5 percent (7 units) to households earning up to 30 percent AMI. 63 percent (89 units) of the units will be affordable to 60 percent AMI. 14 percent (20 units) to 60 percent – 80 percent AMI. 16 percent (23 units) to 81 percent – 140 percent. The mix of units by size and type was designed to be competitive and appropriate to market demand.
The project will also include a recreation center, 257 parking stalls, with 175 stalls for residents (1.25 per unit), 18 for guests, 9 for the recreation center, and 7 accessible parking stalls.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The County of Hawaii 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 https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews and available for review at the Office of Housing and Community Development, 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawaii.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to
the County of Hawaii’s Office of Housing and Community Development,
Attn: Susan Kunz, 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawaii 96720; ohcd@hawaiicounty.gov. Reference the project by name: Na Hale Makoa Affordable Rental Housing Project. All comments received by February 2, 2023, will be considered by the County of Hawaii prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The County of Hawai’i certifies to HUD that Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, in his capacity as Mayor of the County of Hawaii, 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 County of Hawaii to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the County of Hawai’i’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 County of Hawaii; (b) the County of Hawaii 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 emailed to the HUD Honolulu Field Office at Jesse.Wu@hud.gov or addressed to 1003 Bishop Street, Suite 2100, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COUNTY OF HAWAII
BY: SUSAN K. KUNZ
HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR
MITCHELL D.ROTH, MAYOR
COUNTY OF HAWAII
(HTH1401220 1/18/23)
