Hawaiian Homes Commission approves Kamehameha Schools lease

Posted on Jun 21, 2012 in Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Media Releases

DHHL and KS Kapua Logos

NEWS RELEASE

Hawaiian Homes Commission approves Kamehameha Schools lease

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2012

As part of its Ka Pua Initiative across the Wai‘anae Coast, Kamehameha Schools will build a Learning Center at Mā‘ili in full integration with new DHHL homesteads

The Hawaiian Homes Commission has approved a general lease to Kamehameha Schools (KS) to develop a state-of-the-art learning center on 40 acres in Mā‘ili as part of the Ka Pua Initiative, the schools’ long term commitment to excellent education, strong community, and a committed presence on the Wai‘anae Coast.

Located on the larger 80-acre former Voice of America site, The Kamehameha Schools Learning Center at Mā‘ili is part of their larger Ka Pua Initiative that traverses the Wai‘anae Coast and includes partnerships with community schools and providers, all with the same goal in mind – to build and sustain a vibrant community through education. Fully integrated with the KS Learning Center will be a native Hawaiian residential community developed by the State of Hawai‘i Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL).

“With a solid commitment by both trusts, Kamehameha Schools and Hawaiian Home Lands can now move forward to realize the vision of this place,” said Dee Jay Mailer, KS’ CEO. “We are grateful to the communities on the Wai‘anae Coast for their hard work and passion and welcoming us to their home. We all believe in the potential of this great Coast, beginning with children and families. And there is no better way to realize that potential than with partners like the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Ka Pua lives!”

“The general lease approved by the Hawaiian Homes Commission is a commitment by both trusts to create opportunities for the native Hawaiian community on the Leeward Coast of O‘ahu to enhance their well-being and improve their lives.” said Jobie Masagatani, Chairman-Designate of the Commission. “The impact we can have working together in partnership is so much greater than the impact we would have working separately.”

KS and DHHL will also enter into a Joint Development Agreement for coordinated development of the 80-acre parcel. As part of that development, KS has agreed to develop and construct a 60-foot wide roadway at a cost not to exceed $2.5 million within the parcel that both organizations will utilize.

Under the terms of the 65-year lease, KS will pay $73,720 a year in lease rent but will have up to two years to complete its due diligence for its Learning Center including planning, engineering, permitting and community outreach.

During the lease period, both DHHL and KS will also work toward a fee simple land exchange of the 40 acres at Mā‘ili with another property.

Both organizations have committed to keeping the Wai‘anae Coast communities updated on the progress of the project. Earlier this year, both Kamehameha and DHHL held meetings along the coast to receive comments and ideas from residents and service providers in the community.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Crystal Kua (DHHL) — 808-620-9591
[email protected]
Kekoa Paulsen (KS) — 808-523-6369
[email protected]

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KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS is a private, educational, charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The year 2012 marks the 125th anniversary of the opening of Kamehameha Schools, which today operates a statewide educational system enrolling over 6,900 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i and 31 preschool sites statewide. Over 40,000 additional Hawaiian learners and caregivers are served each year through a range of other Kamehameha Schools’ outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawai‘i and across the continental United States. www.ksbe.edu | www.ksbe.edu/kapua

HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS is part of the ali‘i legacy of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole who lobbied for passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921 as a delegate to the U.S. Congress. Governed by the nine-member Hawaiian Homes Commission and administered by the State of Hawai‘i Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the trust oversees the management of 200,000 acres of land and serves nearly 40,000 native Hawaiian homestead lessees and applicants. dhhl.hawaii.gov | dhhl.hawaii.gov/ka-pua-at-maʻili