• Download a  PDF version of this meeting notice letter
• Visit the Anahola Renewable Energy Project Beneficiary Consultation page

Aloha Anahola Beneficiaries:

As many of you know, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has been in negotiations with Green Energy Team LLC (Green Energy) to general lease 2,143 acres of land at Anahola, which includes all lands mauka of Kealia Road. At a special meeting of the Hawaiian Homes Commission (Commission) held last Friday, June 14,2013, Green Energy notified the Commission that they were not able to continue negotiations beyond June 30, 2013. To accommodate Green Energy’s deadline, the Commission chose to modify its initial timeline, moving up both the informational meeting and decision-making dates.

As a result, I invite you to attend and participate in two meetings next week:

I. Informational Meeting – Thursday, June 27, 2013
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Kapa’a Elementary School
Proposed terms oflease agreement to be presented
Members ofthe Commission will be in attendance

II. Special Meeting of the Hawaiian Homes Commission – Friday, June 28, 2013
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Kapa’a Elementary School
Decision-making on Green Energy’s General Lease Agreement

To summarize and review this issue, Green Energy wants a 20-year general lease to establish a tree plantation which will supply fuel to Green Energy’s biomass-to-energy facility located in Koloa. In return, DHHL will receive monetary and other benefits including improvements to DHHL’s Anahola lands. In March of this year, DHHL conducted a beneficiary consultation meeting and two Hawaiian Homes Commission Public Hearings on the proposed project.

Mahalo to all of you who attended the meetings. You gave clear and thoughtful testimonies about your concerns and recommendations. A special meeting of the Commission was planned for April 2013 to approve the lease; however, due to the many comments and concerns raised in your testimonies, the special meeting was postponed. In addition, due to the concerns raised, I committed to conduct an informational meeting for Anahola beneficiaries on the terms of the lease prior to any decision-making by the Commission. I also explained at the March Public Hearings that we are required by law to conduct the decision-making Commission meeting on the island of Kauai.

As a result of your input in March, we were able to propose important changes to the lease terms, and I look forward to the opportunity to present this information to you next week. In order to prepare for the meeting, we encourage you to visit our website (dhhl.hawaii.gov under Beneficiary Consultations) where we will post the most up-to-date information we have. You can access more detailed information, including:

• The Beneficiary Consultation Report which includes a summary of the major concerns raised during the three  meetings conducted in March, as well as the meeting handouts, maps, and detailed notes for each meeting.
• Staff responses and recommendations for each of the major issues raised in the Consultation Report.
• A clrronology of activities that have occurred from February 2013 to June 14, 2013.
• Green Energy’s website address where you can review Green Energy’s detailed responses to the concerns raised in the March meetings.

After you review the information on our website, if you have further questions or if you feel there are major issues that still need to be addressed, in the interest of having a productive informational meeting on June 27, I invite you to submit your additional questions and issues by June 25 to the Planning Office via email: dhhl.planning@hawaii.gov.

Aloha and mahalo,

Jobie M. K. Masagatani, Chairman
Hawaiian Homes Commission

HUD funding critical to support hundreds of counseling agencies nationwide

FOR RELEASE
Tuesday, June 18, 2013

WASHINGTON – As part of its continuing effort to assist families and individuals with their housing needs and to prevent future foreclosures, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced more than $40 million in housing counseling grants to 334 national, regional and local organizations.  As a result of these grants and the additional funding they help leverage, more than 1.6 million households will have a greater opportunity to find housing, make more informed housing choices or keep their current homes.  See list of all counseling agencies awarded funding today.

“Make no mistake: these grants will do a lot of good,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.  “The HUD-approved counseling agencies this funding supports are crucial in helping families manage their money, navigate the homebuying process, and secure their financial futures. The evidence is clear that housing counseling works.  These grants are a smart investment to help families and individuals find and keep housing which helps promote neighborhood stability in the long term.”

More than $38 million in grant funds will directly support the housing counseling services provided by 27 national and regional organizations, 8 multi-state organizations, 22 State Housing Finance Agencies (SHFAs) and 277 local housing counseling agencies.  In addition, HUD is awarding $2 million to two national organizations to train housing counselors who will receive the instruction and certification necessary to effectively assist families with their housing needs.

Working in consultation with housing counseling industry stakeholders, HUD’s new Office of Housing Counseling substantially streamlined the application process for these grants.  A number of procedural improvements were made to the application process and program requirements, which encourage the development of efficient and effective counseling programs and reduce the administrative burden on applicants. HUD awards annual grants under the housing counseling program through a competitive process. Organizations that apply for grants must be HUD-approved and are subject to monitoring and oversight to maintain their HUD-approved status.

National and regional agencies distribute much of HUD’s housing counseling grant funding to community-based organizations that assist low- and moderate-income families to improve their housing conditions. In addition, these larger organizations help improve the quality of housing counseling services and enhance coordination among counseling providers. Read a summary of each grant, organized by state.

HUD studies show the effectiveness of housing counseling.  Last year, HUDreleased two reports on the impact of HUD-approved housing counseling for families who purchase their first homes and those struggling to prevent foreclosure.  In both studies, HUD found housing counseling significantly improved the likelihood homeowners remained in their homes.

Grant recipients utilize funding to address the full range of families’ housing counseling needs.  This includes helping homebuyers and homeowners realistically evaluate their readiness for a home purchase, understand their financing and downpayment options, and navigate what can be an extremely confusing and difficult process.  Grantees also help households find affordable rental housing and offer financial literacy training to individuals and families struggling to repair credit problems that restrict their housing options.  In addition to providing counseling to homebuyers and renters, these organizations assist homeless persons in finding the transitional housing they need to move toward a permanent place to live. Finally, grantees also assist senior citizens seeking reverse mortgages or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM).  These agencies provide counseling for the rapidly growing number of elderly homeowners who seek to convert equity in their homes into income that can be used to pay for home improvements, medical costs, and other living expenses.

Housing counseling agencies support fair housing by assisting borrowers in reviewing their loan documentation, to avoid potential mortgage scams, unreasonably high interest rates, inflated appraisals, unaffordable repayment terms, and other conditions that can result in a loss of equity, increased debt, default, and even foreclosure.  Likewise, foreclosure prevention counseling helps homeowners facing delinquency or default employ strategies, including expense reduction, negotiation with lenders and loan servicers, and loss mitigation, to avoid foreclosure.

HUD’s new mobile app allows smartphone and tablet users to locate housing counselors in their own area.

Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation
Honolulu, HI
$21,460.00 – Comprehensive Counseling

The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) is the State’s primary agency charged with overseeing affordable housing finance and development in Hawaii. Its mission is to increase and preserve the supply of workforce and affordable housing statewide by providing leadership, tools, and resources to facilitate housing development. HHFDC, in collabo-ration with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, whose mission is to manage the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust effectively and to develop and deliver land to native Hawaiians, will partner with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency to provide housing counseling services to residents in the County of Maui (comprised of the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai). Hale Mahaolu has served residents in the County of Maui for more than 40 years, and has partnered with HHFDC under the NFMC and EHLP programs.

More information on HHFDC, can be found online at: http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/hhfdc.

Cecilia A. Fong
Management Analyst
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Honolulu Field Office – Field Policy and Management
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1400
Honolulu, HI  96813
Phone:  808.687.6931
Fax:  808.457.4694

Click here to download a PDF of the presentation

This presentation was given by Department of Hawaiian Home Lands staff at the community meeting for our beneficiaries in Kalāwahine, Kewalo, and Papakōlea, held Monday, June 17, 2013. The presentation includes an update on the Oʻahu Island Plan, development projects in the Papakōlea community, as well as the five areas of focus for the current DHHL administration.

Click to download a PDF version of this flier.

Notice of Annual
Hawaiian Homes Commission
Regular Meetings Held on Oʻahu

On Monday, June 17, 2013, at 9:00 a.m.
and Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at 12:30 p.m.

at Hale Ponoʻī, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
(91-5420 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, Hawaiʻi)

Hawaiian Homes Commission Meeting agendas are available approximately one week in advance on the HHC Meetings page on our website, dhhl.hawaii.gov

Annual Hawaiian Homes Commision
Kalāwahine, Kewalo, & Papakōlea
Homestead Community Meeting

On Monday, June 17, 2013 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

at Papakōlea Community Center
(2150 Tantalus Drive, Honolulu, Oʻahu)

COMMUNITY MEETING AGENDA

• 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. DHHL Update
• 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Homestead Community Update
• 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Open House*
• 9:00 p.m. Adjournment

* During Open House, representatives from DHHL divisions will be available for one-on-one consultation and to answer any questions.

For further information or special accommodations for a sign language interpreter or accessible parking (must be made five days prior to the meeting date), please contact : Information and Community Relations Office on O‘ahu at 808-620-9590.

• Please see the Hawaiian Homes Commission Meetings Page for more information

Click to download a PDF version of this flier.

HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
91-5420 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, Hawaiʻi
Friday, June 14, 2013, 12:30 p.m.

ORDER OF BUSINESS
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda

PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDIZED ITEMS

OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
C-1     Update of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands – Green Energy Team Negotiations (For Information)
C-2     Review of Strategic Plan Priorities (For Information)
C-3     Proposed Action on Hawaiian Homes Commission Revocable Permit Review & Response (Resolution)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENT

1. Next Meeting – June 17, 2013, Kapolei, Hawaiʻi
2. Other Announcements
3. Adjournment

Special Accommodations (such as sign language interpretation, large print, taped materials) can be provided five days prior to meeting. Please contact the Information and Community Relations Office (ICRO) on Oʻahu at (808)620-9590.

• Please see the Hawaiian Homes Commission Meetings Page for more information

Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association among recipients

NEWS RELEASE

NEIL ABERCROMBIE
Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2013

• Download a PDF version of this release

HONOLULU – Spurring continued job growth and positive economic momentum, Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $41.2 million for capital improvement projects (CIP) ranging from state health and agriculture facility improvements to business and information technology upgrades.

“Since taking office, this administration has released more than $1.5 billion for capital improvement projects across the state, investing in priority improvement and upgrades that will directly benefit the people of Hawaii,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “These projects are contributing to Hawaii’s improving employment and economic growth, predicted to outpace the national growth rate over the next year.”

Allotment of funds for the following priority projects, identified by members of the state Legislature, has been approved by the Governor:

Health/Hospitals

• $2,923,000 – Department of Health Facilities, statewide – Additional design and construction to fund reroofing and an emergency generator connection at Kamauleule Building on Maui, and reroofing and improvements at the Waimano Ridge, Building 5, on Oahu, and other miscellaneous improvements
• $2,200,000 – Kohala Hospital, Hawaii Island – Design and construction for hospital renovations, including parking lot improvements, installation of an air conditioning system, replacement of doors and windows, and fire and safety upgrades
• $1,303,000 – Department of Health (DOH) Facilities, statewide – Additional design and construction for office space and accessibility improvements at Halawa Vector Control Facility, building and site improvements at various DOH Oahu facilities (includes installation of perimeter barriers at Waimano Hale Complex to prevent vehicles from driving on the grass and behind buildings), construction of new sidewalks at Windward Health Center, and other building and site improvements
• $452,330 – Hawaii State Hospital, Oahu – Additional design and construction for the replacement of deteriorated doors and frames in 12 buildings, as well as the replacement of windows and frames in seven buildings on the property
• $173,000 – Hawaii State Hospital, Oahu – Design for the demolition of the Goddard Building; the building was built in 1950 and has not been in active use since 1990
• $149,500 – Leahi Hospital, Oahu – Completion of repair and renovation of various structures and buildings, including the lobby flooring, sewer line repairs, bathroom renovations, and various roof repairs
• $104,500 – Department of Health, Waimano Ridge Feasibility Study for Army and Air Forces Exchange Services (AAFES) Building Staff Relocation, Oahu – Additional planning funds necessary for preparation of an environmental assessment at Waimano Ridge; the AAFES building was recently transferred to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and DOH intends to transfer 325 employees to various facilities at Waimano Ridge and the Halawa Vector facility
• $20,000 – Leahi Hospital, Oahu – Completion of remodeling of several antiquated laboratories that are no longer in use for alternate use as office space (Additional funds were requested to cover added construction costs)

Agriculture

• $3,600,000 – State Packing and Processing Facility, Oahu – Land acquisition to purchase agricultural lands and infrastructure owned by Castle and Cooke in Wahiawa; the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) is facilitating the acquisition of a total of 24 acres of land in conjunction with the ADC’s land acquisition of the Galbraith Estate Land (This project will involve acquiring the property and retrofitting the present Dole facilities to become the processing facility for farmers in the region)
• $1,000,000 – Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant, Hawaii Island – Design and construction for improvements to the plant, which is a large processing facility owned by the state Department of Agriculture and operated by the Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative; improvements may include replacement of aging cooling chambers that are used to cool down and extend the shelf-life of Waimea-grown agricultural products before being shipped to market

Technology

• $3,692,200 – Statewide Financial System Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), statewide – Planning of the first phase of the ERP project that will reengineer and transform the statewide financial management processes; includes identifying the business requirements associated with a new integrated system to support the financial management activities within the state and develop the documents needed for procurement actions for an integrated financial management system

• $2,725,000 – Information Technology/Information Resource Management (IT/IRM) Transformation Project, statewide – Program management and subject matter expertise to continue the state’s Chief Information Officer’s ability to manage and oversee the multiple programs and projects associated with state business and the IT/IRM Transformation process to include the Enterprise Resources Planning program
• $1,930,500 – Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Program, statewide – Enterprise architecture services to aid in the development and deployment of ERP by capturing detailed models of the current processes, technologies, and information exchanges in the organizations and/or business areas that will interface with proposed planning and provide other support services
• $75,000 – Statewide Financial System Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), statewide – Procurement of contract services for the State of Hawaii’s new ERP solution for all organizations; the funds will be used to finalize the development of the request for proposal for the ERP system
• $75,000 – High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) Facility, Oahu – Preparation of a project development report (PDR) and miscellaneous planning tasks for a new HTDC facility; the existing lease with the University of Hawaii Manoa Innovation Center expires in April 2015, and the PDR will clarify the long-term objectives and identify the infrastructure requirements needed before proceeding with the site selection
• $65,344 – Uniform Chart of Accounts, statewide – Consultant services to work with the Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCOA) Ad Hoc Work Group to prepare a project plan incorporating critical success factors, risk and risk mitigation, and key milestones for the preparation of a UCOA structure for the State of Hawaii

Civil Defense

• $475,000 – State Civil Defense, Building 303, Oahu – Design and construction to replace/upgrade the existing air conditioning system and make accessibility improvements for Building 303 administrative office spaces; a structural assessment on Building 303 will be conducted prior to design to ensure that any improvements will be lasting and appropriate for this building
• $256,566 – State Civil Defense, Birkhimer Tunnel, Oahu – Design and construction for plumbing improvements to the restrooms for staff and visitors

Correctional Facilities

• $668,980 – Kauai Community Correctional Center, Kauai – Funding for an air conditioning system in the administration building; the current equipment is severely corroded and some of the structural supports have failed (The building provides space for the warden, secretary and case workers, and also houses 87 medium-security inmates)
• $66,720 – Maui Community Correctional Center, Maui – Additional construction funds for replacement of central boiler system

Other

• $6,500,000 – Dams Assessments, Maintenance & Remediation, Kauai and Maui – Design and construction for various dam and reservoir maintenance and remediation improvements

• $4,573,000 – Public Libraries, statewide – Design and construction at various public libraries; improvements include roof replacement, air conditioning replacement, foundation stabilization, termite tenting, painting, and flooring
• $3,500,000 – Rockfall and Flood Mitigation, statewide – Design and construction for rockfall mitigation projects to address areas where boulders and rock outcroppings on state lands have fallen and caused damages or have a high potential for becoming dislodged and threatening public health and safety or property; includes Menehune Road and Hanapepe on Kauai and Kaluanui Stream, Wailupe Stream and Mokuleia on Oahu, as well as other areas statewide that are deemed necessary to address
• $1,500,000 – Maui County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Maui – Capital improvement grant for repairs and improvements primarily to Camp Maluhia, the largest Boy Scout camp in Hawaii
• $1,000,000 – Mana Drag Strip, Kauai – Construction to repair the facilities on the site and remove and resurface the pavement at Kauai Raceway Park, also known as Mana Drag Strip, located on state property (The track was last resurfaced in 1972)
• $660,000 – Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association, Inc., Maui – Capital improvement grant to complete Phase I of the Waiohuli Community Center
• $610,000 – Moanalua Gardens Foundation, Oahu – Capital improvement grant to the Moanalua Gardens Foundation for construction for road improvements to the Kamananui Valley Road in Moanalua Valley; part of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve, Kamananui Valley spans 3,700 acres and is classified as “restricted preservation property,” scattered with cultural artifacts and serving as a sanctuary for several endangered and rare forest bird species
• $275,000 – Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) Facilities, Hawaii Island – Planning and preparation for a project development report, site evaluation report, environmental assessment, and other miscellaneous planning tasks
• $260,000 – Aloha Stadium, Oahu – Planning to assess optimal usage of the stadium property and facility; project scope includes data collection and solicitation of community input
• $200,000 – Mala Boat Ramp and Loading Dock, Maui – Construction to replace existing concrete loading docks and launch ramps and construct parking lot improvements and other related improvements; total project cost is $1,109,300: $277,325 in state funds; $831,975 in federal funds

• $120,000 – Lump Sum Improvements at Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Office/Baseyard Facilities, Maui – Replacement of roofs and flooring as well as upgrades to electrical systems at the DOCARE Maui facility
• $106,500 – Aiea Public Library, Oahu – Furniture and equipment acquisition for the new Aiea Public Library, which will serve the Aiea, Halawa, Waiau, Pearlridge, Newtown and Royal Summit communities; this new library will replace the existing library and the present library staff will be brought over for its operations

# # #

For more information, contact:
Louise Kim McCoy, Director of Communications / Press Secretary, (808) 586-0012
http://hawaii.gov/gov

HILO, HAWAIʻI – Ten Hawaiian homesteaders were among a group of East Hawaiʻi leaders planting native Hawaiian trees at the Panaʻewa Zoo last month.

The planting project aimed to increase awareness of the cultural legacy tied to our native Hawaiian plants, and as a result, strengthen community pride and inspire future generations to mālama ʻāina.

The Panaʻewa Zoo offered a place where native plants could be appreciated by both kamaʻāina and malihini alike.

The community project was the culmination of leadership training these community leaders received through the Ford Institute Leadership Program (FILP). Over the course of four months, participants covered courses in leadership development, effective organization, and community collaboration.

Congratulations to our Hawaiian homestead leaders and FILP graduates!

Representing the Makuʻu Farmers Association were Pua Fernandez, Shirley Pedro, and Danielle Tejada. Mele Spencer represented the Keaukaha-Panaʻewa Farmers Association. Patlynn Kaui and Donna Madrid represented the Panaʻewa Hawaiian Home Lands Community Association. Donna & Jeffrey Kekoa represented the Kaʻū Community Association. Our Piʻihonua Community Association was represented by Doreen & China Kodani.

This is the first time FILP was offered on Hawaiʻi Island through a partnership between FILP and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in collaboration with the County of Hawaiʻi – Department of Research and Development, Hawaiʻi Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development, Harold K. L. Castle Foundation, Hiʻilei Aloha LLC, The Atherton Family Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development, and the Waimānalo Community Association.

For more information on the Ford Institute Leadership Program, click here.

Today, six Hawaiian ʻohana celebrated the start of construction on their self-help homes in the Kumuhau subdivision of Waimānalo.

Congratulations to Nina Ah Yee & Micah McClinton, Kala & Shanti Gomes, Levi & TJ Joseph, Henry & Florita Kam, Kahala Kane & Sharownn Wong, and Angie, Nolan, & Alyssa Lai and Relda Palenapa!

The Ah Yee, Gomes, Joseph, Kam, Kane, and Lai ʻOhana were joined by State Senator Laura Thielen, Councilman Ikaika Anderson, Hawaiian Homes Commissioner Kama Hopkins, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Deputy to the Chair Darrell Young, Honolulu Habitat board members, staff, and volunteers, at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The Kumuhau project is the biggest build to date for Honolulu Habitat, and today’s event marks their 25th anniversary. Since 1988, Honolulu Habitat has built 67 affordable homes for Oʻahu families.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

• DHHL Application Wait Lists

For information on applying for a Hawaiian Homestead award, please see:

• Applying for Hawaiian Home Lands

Click to download a PDF of the DHHL slide presentation to the Senate Committee on Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs on May 23, 2013.

•  Click to download a PDF of the DHHL slide presentation to the Senate Committee on Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs on May 23, 2013

STATE OF HAWAII

DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS

May 20, 2013

To: Chairman and Members, Hawaiian Homes Commission

Through: Darrell Yagodich, Planning Program Manager

From: Bob Freitas, Planner

Subject: Approval of Criteria, Process and Next Steps to Remove the Moratorium on Subdivisions and Transfer of Agriculture and Pastoral Leases

• View the complete document and download a PDF, including exhibits and attachments

ITEM NO. G-1

RECOMMENDED MOTION/ACTION

That the Hawaiian Homes Commission:

1) Approve Criteria to allow Subdivisions and Transfer of Agriculture and Pastoral Leases pursuant to HAR 10-3-26(f) (see section “C” of submittal);

2) Accept Beneficiary Consultation Report (see appendix);

3) Approve Next Steps to implement HAR 10-3-26(f) (see section “F” of submittal) .

• Read more

Another brand new home has been designed and constructed by Hawaiʻi Community College students in Hilo, Hawaiʻi.

This is the 46th home built by the college since the school launched its Model Home Program in 1965. The best part of the program, according to students and organizers: the annual ceremony where the house keys are officially turned over to the new homeowner.

“Oh it felt great,” said Fred Palea, the lucky Hawaiian Home Lands lessee right after he walked into his new home for the first time. “I am really ecstatic and excited about this house and it feels warm, welcoming, and I think our family is really going to enjoy this house.”

The three-bedroom, two-bath, 1,800-square-foot home includes a carport, solar water heating, a photovoltaic system, landscaping with native plants and an aquaponics garden.

Read the entire article and watch the video on the UH News Site:

• http://www.hawaii.edu/news/2013/05/10/46th-family-home-built-by-hawaii-cc-students/

Click to download a PDF version of this flier.

Notice of Annual
Hawaiian Homes Commission
Regular Meetings On Moloka’i

On Monday, May 20, 2013, at 9:30 a.m.
and Tuesday, May 21, at 11:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. (Time changed as of 5/14)

at Kūlana ‘Ōiwi Multi-Purpose Conference Room
(600 Maunaloa Highway, Kalamaula)

Hawaiian Homes Commission Meeting agendas are available approximately
one week in advance on the HHC Meetings page on our website, dhhl.hawaii.gov

Annual Hawaiian Homes Commision
Moloka‘i Homestead Community Meeting

On Monday, May 20, 2013 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
at Lanikeha Community Center (Farrington Ave., Ho‘olehua)

COMMUNITY MEETING AGENDA

• 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. DHHL Update
• 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Homestead Community Update
• 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Open House*
• 8:30 p.m. Adjournment

* During Open House, representatives from DHHL divisions will be available for one-on-one consultation and to answer any questions.

For further information or special accommodations for a sign language interpreter or accessible parking (must be made five days prior to the meeting date), please contact : Information and Community Relations Office on O‘ahu at 808-620-9590.

Department Responds To Star-Advertiser Articles

The following is the un-edited opinion piece which was submitted
to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in response to their recent
series of articles critical of our Department

May 8, 2013

The Star-Advertiser’s three day series highlights a critical challenge facing this Administration: how to effectively manage DHHL’s land resources with severely limited resources until the lands can be homesteaded.

While we appreciated the opportunity to respond to questions posed by the Star-Advertiser, it appears that the complexity of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act caused some of the important information that we shared to be left out that, perhaps, would have helped to better clarify and frame the challenges facing our department and our beneficiaries. In the interest of providing that clarity, please allow us the opportunity to again share these facts:

A revocable permit (RP) allows use of certain DHHL lands on a month-to-month basis and can be cancelled at any time upon a 30 day notice. An RP is not a long-term revenue generating commercial lease. It is not a long-term license, nor is it a 99-year homestead lease. The RP program was intended to be principally a land management tool.

This is because some of the DHHL acreage that is not currently in homesteading or in general commercial leases are large undeveloped and remote properties. These lands are subject to illegal dumping, trespassing, illegal uses, or overgrowth that can lead to fire hazards if there is no presence on the land. Fencing, signage, cutting vegetation, monitoring, etc. is very expensive to maintain over thousands of acres.

In light of severely limited staffing and financial resources, the RP program was one option the department developed years ago to provide presence on these lands, to maintain the lands, and deter dumping and other challenges, at no cost to DHHL. The RP program does provide for some revenues from DHHL lands that are “as is” (for example, raw, undeveloped land with minimal infrastructure) instead of simply being a major land management cost item in DHHL’s budget. However, as much of the liability and responsibility shifts to the permit holder, the RP program also reduces DHHL’s risk and the risk to DHHL’s limited financial trust assets.

By contrast, 99-year Homestead lease awards require a reliable source of adequate funding. Without the capital improvement funding, homesteads are just not developed. Without the use of sufficient general funds for operations, DHHL must fund its operations from the revenue it generates.

Both of these enormous challenges, maintaining DHHL’s inventory of lands across six islands until the lands are awarded for homesteads, and generating revenue on these lands using commercial ground leases that must go through a strict and complex multi-step approval process are handled by the same small Division made up of five land agents and a Division Administrator. Are they overwhelmed? Yes. Are they understaffed? Absolutely. But this is all we can afford.

The last time DHHL received general funding for its administrative costs was in 2010, when it received $1 million, a small fraction of the overall costs of operations. On the development side, the Act 14 land settlement reached in 1995 has provided for a stream of payments to DHHL of $30 million over the past 18 years. But, we have used these funds to develop thousands of residential homestead over that time. These payments come to an end in 2015 leaving DHHL’s future funding uncertain.

The ultimate solution for DHHL and its beneficiaries would be for the State to allocate sufficient financial resources to provide every eligible native Hawaiian beneficiary with a lot equipped with adequate infrastructure including water, along with the maintenance and upkeep of the infrastructure in our existing communities. This cost, which easily runs into the billions of dollars, could be funded at one time if the State faced no other critical needs. However, since the state faces a myriad of other concerns and issues, resources for DHHL over its long history has come from the State in fits and starts.

However, even with all these challenges before us, all is not doom and gloom. This year, for the first time, Governor Abercrombie’s budget included a request for $14.7 million in general funding for DHHL’s administrative expenses in response to the Nelson lawsuit, and the Legislature engaged in a discussion regarding what is “sufficient” to fund the operations and administration of DHHL. The outcome? We received $9.6 million in general funding for operations for DHHL, more than has ever been provided in DHHL’s history. It’s a good beginning, but a dialogue that is far from over.

Going forward, it is the intention of this Administration to assess the current state of our program, identify areas of weaknesses, and implement the proper reforms. But change often requires more than just DHHL. We are extremely grateful for the unwavering support of Governor Abercrombie and the assistance of key cabinet officials who have pledged their support in helping us achieve the improvements we desire.

Can the RP program be improved? Yes, by establishing clear policies and procedures; adequate and timely enforcement; and prudent decision-making regarding the way DHHL lands are used as they await development for homesteads. These are the goals the DHHL’s new Administration will strive for.

Jobie M.K. Masagatani
Chair, Hawaiian Homes Commission and
Director, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

New renderings of Ka Makana Ali’i released today.

DEBARTOLO DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES LARGER 700,000-SQUARE-FOOT DEPARTMENT STORE-ANCHORED PHASE ONE FOR KA MAKANA ALI‘I

First phase of 1.4 million-square-foot mixed-use regional shopping center will feature
75 shops and restaurants, a cinema, department store, hotel and supermarket

• FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
• May 3, 2013
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TAMPA, FL (May 3, 2013) – DeBartolo Development, LLC announced today Ka Makana Ali‘i will be constructed in two phases, beginning with a larger 700,000-square-foot department store-anchored phase one featuring 75 shops and restaurants, a cinema, department store, hotel and supermarket on approximately 50 of the site’s 63 acres.  Phase two of the 1.4-million-square-foot mixed-use regional shopping center will include over 200,000 square feet of LEED-certified office space.

Located between Kapolei Parkway, Roosevelt Avenue and Kualakai Parkway (formerly known as North-South Road), Ka Makana Ali‘i will be the first regional shopping center built in Oahu in over 30 years. The $350 million project is expected to provide an economic boost for the region and become a gathering place for the West Oahu community.  Upon completion, Ka Makana Ali‘i will be the third largest regional mall in Hawaii.

New renderings of Ka Makana Ali’i released today.

“We are excited to be pushing ahead towards breaking ground on Ka Makana Ali‘i and bringing a great new shopping experience to the communities of West Oahu,” said Edward Kobel, President and Chief Operating Officer of DeBartolo Development.  “We have been working hard with some of the most creative minds across the country to deliver a world class shopping, dining and entertainment complex the region has been asking for.  Together with the leadership of Governor Abercrombie, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the community associations that surround our project and have supported us from the beginning, we look forward to making Ka Makana Ali‘i West Oahu’s community hub.”

Ka Makana Ali‘i is surrounded by numerous master-planned communities, a half-mile south of the new University of Hawai‘i West Oahu campus, with its 7,600 students and 550 faculty and staff, and the new Kroc Center.  Nearby are Ko Olina Resort, the five-star J. W. Marriott, Ko Olina Beach Club and Disney’s Aulani Resort.

DeBartolo is leasing land from the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), and under the agreed-upon terms, will pay more than $140 million in rent over 65 years.  According to DHHL officials, revenues from the master lease will finance the construction of thousands of homes for Hawaiian homesteaders adjacent to the center, along with other programs for Native Hawaiians.

“The partnership between the Department and DeBartolo Development has been great and we look forward to the promise and possibilities that Ka Makana Ali‘i brings to the community and our beneficiaries,” said Darrell Young, Deputy Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

In February, DeBartolo completed the Land Use Commission process designating Ka Makana Ali‘i a mixed-use development and is currently proceeding with obtaining entitlement permits needed to break ground.

For more information about Ka Makana Ali‘i, please visit www.kamakanaalii.com.

About DeBartolo Development, LLC

Built on a legacy of more than six decades, the DeBartolo name is recognized as an icon in the real estate industry.  Since our beginnings in 1944 when legendary entrepreneur Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. pioneered the first shopping mall concept and developed some of the most well-known and nationally-recognized shopping landmarks, our legacy has been synonymous with success.  Continuing the family tradition with the same entrepreneurial spirit, Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr., former owner of the five-time Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers and two-time Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, and his brother, Edward Kobel, have evolved DeBartolo Development into one of the largest private real estate investment and development companies in the country. Today, DeBartolo Development invests in real estate assets of all sizes and scopes, specializing in opportunistic acquisitions and market-driven, ground-up development of multifamily, hospitality, retail and mixed-use projects throughout the United States. DeBartolo Development combines experience, sound research and market foresight with institutional partnerships and strong lender and broker relationships to meet the unique challenges of today’s real estate environment.  For more information about DeBartolo Development, please visit our Website at www.debartolodevelopment.com.

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CONTACT:

Lynette Lo Tom
808.275.3004
lynette@brightlightmarketing.com

Valerie Panou
813.263.7284
vpanou@debartolodevelopment.com