Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2014

• Dowlonad a PDF of the event program

HAWAIIAN HOMES BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW HOMESTEAD SUBDIVISION OF KA‘ULUOKAHA‘I IN KAPOLEI, O‘AHU

New Kapolei Subdivision Future Home to 160 Hawaiian ‘Ohana

KAPOLEI, O‘AHU — Gov. Neil Abercrombie, U.S Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, community leaders, government officials, and future homesteaders joined the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) in a groundbreaking ceremony today to begin construction on what will become the future home for 160 native Hawaiian families in the new Hawaiian homestead community of Ka‘uluokaha‘i in Kapolei.

The 24.5-acre project formerly known as East Kapolei II-B sits on the ‘Ewa Plain, mauka of the ‘Ewa Villages Golf Course and east of Kualaka‘i Parkway behind the Kroc Community Center. DHHL awarded future homeowners an undivided interest lease for a lot in this subdivision in October 2008. The undivided interest lease program is designed to provide lessees time to prepare for homeownership while the subdivision was developed.

“These homes not only represent an incredible opportunity for 160 Hawaiian Homes beneficiaries, but also a great opportunity for leveraging state monies with federal funds in a way that only our state department, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands can do,” said Gov. Abercrombie, “While in Washington, D.C., my colleagues and I were strong advocates of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act because it created real housing opportunities for Hawaiians.”

DHHL is the only Hawai‘i recipient of federal funds under NAHASDA, which is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. NAHASDA funds covered over 70 percent of the total infrastructure cost of this project. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Agency also awarded $3.7 million in loan and grant funds to the non-profit organization Nā Kūpa‘a O Kūhiō for the installation of sewer and water lines.

“Ka‘uluokaha‘i will provide homeownership opportunities to our native Hawaiian beneficiaries in the growing community of Kapolei. Much of the growth of our homestead communities has been accomplished over the years through the unwavering support of Governor Abercrombie, first as a valued member of our congressional team and now as our State’s chief executive.” said Darrell Young, Deputy Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, “We’re grateful for our continued partnerships with Nā Kūpa‘a O Kūhiō, HUD and USDA-RDA as well as the invaluable support of our Congressional delegation.”

DHHL chose the name Ka‘uluokaha‘i for the new Hawaiian homestead community. Translated as the-breadfruit-of-Kaha‘i, the name of the new subdivision honors the story of the first planting of ‘ulu in Hawai‘i. According to ancient mo’olelo, Chief Kaha‘i brought ‘ulu back to O‘ahu from Southern Polynesia and planted it nearby at Kualaka‘i, a place known today as Nimitz Beach in Kalaeloa.

The total infrastructure cost for the Ka‘uluokaha‘i subdivision is approximately $11.59 million. Infrastructure work includes grading; constructing roadways; and installing a sewer system, water system, telecommunications, and other utilities. Telecommunications infrastructure is being financed by Sandwich Isles Communications, Inc.

Construction is expected to begin late next month and be completed by August 2015, with home construction to follow. Royal Contracting Co., is the contractor. Bowers + Kubota Consulting will provide construction management services, and PCS Consultants, LLC providing geotechnical engineering services. Engineering design consultation services are being provided by Community Planning and Engineering, Inc.

Ka‘uluokaha‘i is the first phase of development for the 404-acre master-planned community of East Kapolei, which also includes the Kroc Community Center, developed and operated by The Salvation Army. Future development in East Kapolei includes another 800 single-family residential lots, 1,000 multi-family residential units, a Special Olympics multipurpose center, and an elementary and middle school.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Punialoha Chee
Information & Community Relations Officer
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
808.620.9510 | 808.282.9031 c
[email protected]
dhhl.hawaii.gov