Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a FFRMS Floodplain and a Wetland

Date: November 19, 2025

To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands(DHHL) under 24 CFR Part 58has determined that the following proposed action under Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program for HUD grant number 25HBGHI0001, among others, is partially located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and adjacent to a wetland. DHHL will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and wetland and the potential impacts on the floodplain and wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by E.O. 13690 and E.O. 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands.

The proposed project is located on the Island of Oʻahu, within the established Hawaiian Homestead lands of Waimānalo in the Moku of Koʻolaupoko, Ahupuaʻa of Waimānalo. The project area is generally bounded by Kalanianaole Highway, Kumuhau Street, and Hihimanu Streets and is located within tax plats 41003, 41008, 41009, 41016, 41017, 41019, 41020, 41021, 41029, 41030, 41031, 41036, 41037, 41038.

The proposed project is the expenditure of Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) funds for the rehabilitation, demolition/re-construction, on-site infrastructure improvements, and infill new construction of single-family dwellings at various locations on Hawaiian Homestead lands in Waimānalo, Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve health and safety, address long-standing infrastructure deficiencies, and expand housing opportunities for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. Through both the rehabilitation of aging homes and infrastructure, and infill new construction on vacant parcels within the project area, this project will enhance the livability, resilience, and cultural integrity of the Waimānalo homestead community. The proposed work may involve the renovation or demolition and reconstruction of existing individual homes and residential buildings, including interiors, exteriors, and associated infrastructure. The proposed work may also involve infill new construction of additional housing on available vacant lots within Hawaiian Homestead lands in Waimānalo. Project improvements may include the evaluation of the existing infrastructure including water, sewer, drainage, electrical, and communication lines and repair and/or replacement of infrastructure to meet current county standards. It would also involve the conversion of any existing cesspools to Department of Health-approved Individual Wastewater Systems or connections to sewer. These infrastructure improvements may require digging and trenching.

The location and extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using a 0.2 percent flood approach, meaning that flood zones throughout the 208-acre project area were determined by identifying 0.2% chance floodplain areas utilizing preliminary updates to Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) as proposed by FEMA and available through the City and County of Honolulu website. Although much of the project area is located in Zone X (Outside 0.2%-Annual-Chance Floodplain, which is also the lowest risk flood zone in the state of Hawaiʻi), some home lots may be located adjacent to or overlap with special flood hazard areas, including Zone AE (1%-Annual-Chance Flood, with BFE), Zone AEF: (Floodway Areas in Zone AE), and Zone XS (0.2%-Annual-Chance Flood). Floodway areas are extremely hazardous areas as they denote the watercourse in which the base flood is discharged. There are 13 lots adjacent to or overlapping Zone AEF. No project development activities will be proposed on any project located within the floodway.

The location of wetlands throughout the project area was determined by utilizing data from the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). About 1.1 total acres of various wetland types also occur within the Waimānalo Homestead lands, including Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland, Freshwater Emergent Wetland, and Riverine. However, no work is anticipated to occur within a wetland. If any projects or necessary work included within the project activities as detailed above are determined to occur within 100 ft of an NWI-designated wetland, DHHL will initiate further consultation with US Fish and Wildlife Service to assess and avoid/mitigate any potential impacts to wetlands and species common to wetland habitats.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in wetlands and/or flood zones, and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain/wetland, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the floodplain/wetland. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information about wetlands and floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in wetlands and floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by DHHL at the following address on or before December 5th.

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

Attention: Malia Cox, NAHASDA Compliance Specialist

PO Box 1879

Honolulu, HI 96805

Comments may also be submitted by email via DHHL’s consultant at [email protected].