Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to
Request a Release of Funds for Leali’i Fire Rehabilitation Project     

April 3, 2025

Kali Watson, Chairperson   
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands   
P.O. Box 1879
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96805
808-620-9500

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL).

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about April 21, 2025, the DHHL will submit a request to The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (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 ) of 1996, as amended, to undertake a project known as Leialiʻi Fire Rehabilitation Project for the purpose of providing people of native Hawaiian ancestry with housing financing and general home-ownership assistance. The State of Hawai‘i is experiencing a housing shortage across all demographics, including DHHL beneficiaries. This housing shortage has been exacerbated on Maui as a result of the August 2023, Lahaina and Kula fires which resulted in destruction or damage to approximately 2,200 structures, many of which were residential. The proposed project would facilitate the recovery and rehabilitation of 104 single-family dwellings from the damage caused by the August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina. All 104 dwellings are located within the existing Villages of Leialiʻi, Village 1-A residential subdivision for DHHL beneficiaries. Upon completion, the project would allow residents of the damaged structures to safely reoccupy their homes.

The proposed project is located on lands totaling approximately 16.17 acres and includes 104 existing residential lots and a DHHL managed area within an existing residential subdivision on TMKs (2)4-5-036:001-105 located in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. The project area is bounded by Leialiʻi Parkway to the north, with the future site of the Villages of Lealiʻi Phase 1-B development and the Lahaina Civic Center beyond. Honoapiʻilani Highway and the ocean are located to the west, existing fire-damaged residential development and a religious institution to the south, and vacant agricultural lands to the east.

The Leialiʻi Fire Rehabilitation Project is limited to the demolition, removal, and reconstruction of single-family residential structures on two (2) existing lots, roof repair and/or replacement of 102 existing single-family residential units and rehabilitation of community fencing. The demolition and removal of two (2) single-family residential units which were destroyed in the 2023 wildfires will take place at the parcels addressed 92 Aupuni Street (TMK (2)4-5-036:015) and 84 Aupuni Street (TMK (2)4-5-036:016). Following demolition and removal, construction of new single-family residential units will take place on the same parcels, including replacement of infrastructure to meet current County requirements. Infrastructure improvements may include digging and trenching to access existing underground utility services. Roof rehabilitation on 102 existing single-family residences will include evaluation of wildfire damage and identification of necessary repairs, followed by the repair and/or replacement of roofs. Roof rehabilitation will be conducted on lots identified as TMKs (2)4-5-036:001-014 and 017-104. Fence rehabilitation will include evaluation of wildfire damage and identification of necessary repairs, followed by the repair and/or replacement of up to 550 linear feet of community fencing providing safe separation of homes in the community from Honoapiʻiliani Highway located on TMK (2)4-5-036:105. In addition, the project may also provide services such as homeowner assistance, which may include assistance with down payment and closing costs, mortgage, utilities, and insurance payments. The project may also provide rental and utility assistance and housing counseling to beneficiaries. The HUD funding amount is expected to be $4,400,000.00.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The DHHL has determined that the proposed project will have no significant impact on the human environment.  Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required.  Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) and will be posted on the HUD Community Planning and Development website. The ERR may be viewed and/or downloaded online at URL Link: https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews. A hard copy will be made available for examination upon request to Kuʻupua Kiyuna, who may be contacted at (808)620-9500.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the DHHL’s consultant, Munekiyo Hiraga at [email protected] or to the DHHL by mail at 91-5420 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, HI 96707 attn: Kuʻupua Kiyuna. All comments received by April 20, 2025, will be considered by the DHHL prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

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 also consider objections to its release of funds 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, 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.

(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 HUD Honolulu Field Office at 1003 Bishop Street, Suite 2100, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813.  Potential objectors should contact HUD/State to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Kali Watson, Chairperson, DHHL