HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP LAAC 003 2025-01-21 2024-2026REPORT OF THE
LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE
DATE: January 21, 2025
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 3:45 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 74/Res. No. 51-25
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions, to which was referred Resolution
No. 51-25, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 51-25, transmitted by Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa, via Communication
No. 74, dated December 23, 2024, authorizes the exemption of certain code requirements, pursuant to
Section 201H-38 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the Hualalai Court Affordable Housing Project
in Hilo, Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key: 2-4-028:009 (Area: 3.2920 acres).
In this resolution, the applicant requests for an exemption from Single -Family Residential District
7,500 feet zoning requirements, to be replaced with Multiple -Family Residential 1,000 square feet
requirements, to allow for greater density and an exemption from Sections 5-7-1 and 5-7-3 of the
Hawaii County Code regarding permit plan reviews and permit fees to reduce costs for the production
of 104 affordable residential rental units, to be located at 364 Hualalai Street in South Hilo.
Hualalai Court Chief Executive Officer Carlos Morales and Business Manager Demarco Morales
presented a PowerPoint presentation on the project. Mr. Morales explained that Hualalai Court is one
of only four applicants, and the only neighbor -island project, to be awarded funding from the Hawaii
Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) Rental Housing Revolving Fund (RHRF)
Tier 2 Initiative, in the sum of $25.5 million for the affordable housing project with both two and three
bedroom options, all which will coincide with 60-100 percent area median income.
Committee Members James Hustace, Michelle Galimba, and Jenn Kagiwada all shared same
sentiments on the need for such community workforce housing projects across the island.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi inquired further on concerns relating to prior flooding
issues at the neighboring property as well as third -party property management services, maintenance
expenses going forward, and the opportunity for those on fixed incomes to be able to afford to live and
thrive at this housing project years after its completion.
LAAC Report No. 3
LAAC-3 Page 2 January 21, 2025
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution No. 51-25, and recommends its adoption.
• •
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
X
HUSTACE
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
ONISHI
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE
APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS
i
FATHER L. IMBALL, CHAIR
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