HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 Public Notice FONSI-NOIRROF - Kuakini Heights Updated
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS March 27, 2025 County of Hawaii
Office of Housing and Community Development 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 961-8379
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 April 14, 2025, the County of Hawaii will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) funds, authorized under section 8(o)(13) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)) and Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-
201), in the amount of $13,288,800.00, and to the State of Hawaii’s Housing Finance and
Development Corporation (HHFDC) for the release of HOME Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds, authorized under Section 3205 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2)(“ARP”), in the amount of $1,817,225.00 and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Program funds, authorized under Section 1131 of Title 1 of the Housing and Economic
Recovery Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-289), in the amount of $2,830,351.00, to undertake a
project known as Kuakini Heights for the purpose of new construction of a 100-unit multi-family residential development in Kailua-Kona Hawaii. The development will consist of 23 residential buildings with a total of 28 one-bedroom units, 60 two-bedroom units, and 12 three-bedroom units. The subject property is additionally proposed to be developed with a management office
and community room building, a maintenance building, storage shed, landscaping, concrete-
paved walkways, and asphalt-paved driveways and parking areas. 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) which 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 to
royce.shiroma@hawaiicounty.gov or contact Royce Shiroma by calling (808) 961-8379. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the County of
Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development, Attn: Royce Shiroma, 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawaii 96720; royce.shiroma@hawaiicounty.gov. Reference the project by name: Kuakini Heights Project in Kailua-Kona. All comments received by April 11, 2025,
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 Hawaii certifies to HUD that Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, 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/State of Hawaii will accept objections to its release of fund and the County of Hawaii’s
certification for a period of seven 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/State of Hawaii; 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 CPDHonolulu@hud.gov or addressed to 1003
Bishop Street, Suite 2100, Honolulu, HI 96813 for the PBV funds, and to the State of Hawaii’s HHFDC at Keri.higa@hawaii.gov or 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, HI 96813 for the HOME-ARP or HTF funds. Potential objectors should contact HUD/State of Hawaii to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Mayor C. Kimo Alameda County of Hawaii