HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 Public Comment for FONSI-NOI to Request Release of Funds — Kukuiola Phase 2
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS April 10, 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 28, 2025, the County of Hawaii will submit a request to the State of Hawaii Office of Planning & Sustainable Development Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) for the release of Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) funds, authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, as amended, (42 USC 5301 et seq.), in the amount of $1,500,000.00,
and to the State of Hawaii’s Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) for the release of HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds, authorized under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.), in the amount of $2,250,000.00 to undertake a project known as Kukuiola Phase 2 Permanent Supportive Housing
for the purpose of new construction of a 50-unit multi-family residential development in Kailua-
Kona, Hawaii. The development will consist of 20 duplexes made up of one-bedroom units and 10 single-family one-bedroom units. The subject property is additionally proposed to be developed with a management office and community room building, 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: Kukuiola Phase 2 Permanent Supportive Housing in Kailua-Kona. All comments received by April 25, 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 The State of Hawaii DBEDT and HHFDC 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 the 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 State of Hawaii’s DBEDT at seiji.ogawa@hawaii.gov or 235 S.
Beretania Street, 6th Floor Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 for the PRO Housing 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 funds. Potential objectors should contact State of Hawaii to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Mayor C. Kimo Alameda County of Hawaii