Intent to Request Release of Funds
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
July 9, 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 July 21, 2025 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 VIIIHousing 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 41-209 Ilauhole St, TMK (1) 4-1-019:033, Moku of Ko’olaupoko, Island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi for the purpose of providing elderly people with safe, secure, and affordable housing.
The proposed project will repair an existing elderly housing facility. The proposed activities include the repair of existing sewer and water lines, as well as the repair of underground irrigation lines on an as-needed basis. Resurfacing and striping of internal roadways and parking areas will also be carried out. Exterior building maintenance, such as painting, window repair, roof repair, and the installation and repair of gutters and downspouts, will be performed as needed. Internal building system maintenance, including the repair and replacement of plumbing, electrical, and ventilation systems, will also be conducted on an as needed basis. Internal building maintenance tasks such as painting, door repair or replacement, wall repair, and flooring replacement will be done as necessary. The repair or replacement of appliances in individual units will be addressed on an as-needed basis. The funding amount is anticipated to be approximately $1,000,000.
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 hard copy as necessary from Shauna Mau, who may be contacted at (808) 730-0182.
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 July 18, 2025, 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