Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

 

 

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

 

January 30, 2025

 Kali Watson, Chairperson

Hawaiian Homes Commission

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

P.O. Box 1879

Honolulu, Hawai‘i, 96805

(808) 620-9500

 

On or about February 7, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) will submit a request to the HUD for the release of Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant funds under Title VIII-Housing Assistance for Native Hawaiians of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA), to undertake a project known as NAHASDA Home Repair Program, located at 853 Puʻupe‘elua Ave, Ho‘olehua, HI, TMK (2) 5-2-022:021 for the purpose of providing people of native Hawaiian ancestry with safe, secure, and affordable housing.

The proposed project is expenditure of federal funds for a new construction of a single-family home and necessary infrastructure. The project site is approximately 1.5 acres on the west and north side of the 5-acre lot fronting Puʻupe‘elua Ave. The infrastructure improvements will require digging and trenching to install utilities and structures including but not limited to electrical, water, wastewater, communication, and storm water. A driveway to the home is anticipated to be constructed, however the type of surfacing proposed has not yet been determined. The funding amount is anticipated to be approximately $625,000.

The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project will be posted on the HUD Exchange website, and may be viewed and/or downloaded online at URL Link: https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews or upon request via email or hard copy as necessary from Malia M. Cox, who may be contacted at (808) 620-9500.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Office of the Chairperson, Attn: Malia Cox via their consultant PBR HAWAII & Associates, Inc. at [email protected]. Reference the project by name: NAHASDA Home Repair Program. All comments received by February 6th will be considered by the DHHL prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

 ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

 The DHHL certifies to HUD that Kali Watson in his capacity as Chairperson, 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 DHHL to use Program funds.

 OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

 HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the DHHL’s certification for a period of fifteen 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 DHHL (b) the DHHL 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 HUD; 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 HUD Honolulu Field Office at 1003 Bishop Street, Suite 2100, Honolulu, HI 96813.  Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Kali Watson, Chairperson, DHHL