Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2022

Final EA Published for Kēōkea Farm Lots Association Community Center

(Kula, Maui) – The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has published its final Environmental Assessment (EA) with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed Kēōkea Farm Lots Association Community Center in the Kēōkea Ahupuaʻa, Makawao, Maui.

A review of the significant criteria outlined in HRS Chapter 343 and HAR Section 11-200.1-13 on the development of the Kēōkea Farm Lots Association Community Center has not identified significant adverse effects on the natural or human environment.

The Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) evaluated the final EA and issued a FONSI determination at its July 2022 HHC meeting. The final EA and FONSI were published in the Environmental Review Program’s The Environmental Notice on August 8, 2022.

In 2013, the Kēōkea Homestead Farm Lots Association (KHFLA) received a month-to-month Right-of-Entry (ROE) permit for two parcels of Hawaiian Home Lands in Kēōkea, Maui. KHFLA began developing a master plan and environmental assessment in August 2020. As part of the planning process and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planning team conducted outreach to the homestead community via an online survey questionnaire. KHFLA incorporated responses from the survey results into its plans.

The KHFLA master plan includes the development of a cultural education center, native food and medicinal plant gardens, a child and senior care complex, a multipurpose community center complex, an amphitheater, and venues for small business and food vendors.

“This is an important milestone for Kēōkea Homestead Farm Lots Association,” said Deputy to the Chair Tyler Iokepa Gomes. “They are one step closer to meeting their goal of developing a community center for homesteaders by homesteaders.”

A draft Environmental Assessment was presented HHC at its April 2022 meeting, and a Draft EA was published in The Environmental Notice periodical on April 23, 2022.  The 30-day public comment period ended on May 23, 2022. KHFLA provided responses, and subsequent edits were made to the Final EA.

To learn more about the proposed Kēōkea Farm Lots Association Community Center and to view the final EA, visit dhhl.hawaii.gov/po/maui.

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About the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands:
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands carries out Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole’s vision of rehabilitating native Hawaiians by returning them to the land. Established by U.S. Congress in 1921, with the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, the Hawaiian homesteading program run by DHHL includes management of over 200,000 acres of land statewide with the specific purpose of developing and delivering homesteading.

Media Contact:
Cedric Duarte
Information and Community Relations Officer
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
(808) 620-9591
[email protected]