NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
June 17, 2025
County of Hawaiʻi
Office of Housing and Community Development 1990 Kinoʻole Street, Suite 102
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-8379
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the County of Hawaiʻi.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about July 3, 2025 the County of Hawaiʻi will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Program funds under CFR 24 Subtitle B, Chapter IX Part 983, to undertake a project known as Kuakini Heights for the purpose of developing 100 affordable rental units for qualifying low income households to reside in within TMK plat (3) 7-5-003:007, located 75-3085 Kupaka Street in Kailua-Kona within the County of Hawaiʻi. The proposed project is a new affordable rental housing complex and will be comprised of 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom, garden style units. This project targets low income households earning at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) and includes rental assistance for 20 qualifying residential households.
Total funding from all sources is expected to be Seventy-Nine Million Five Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Seven Hundred Niney-One Dollars $79,536,791.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The County of Hawaii has determined that the 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) on file at www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development, Attn: Kehaulani Costa, 1990 Kinoole St, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720; kcosta@hawaiicounty.gov. Reference the project name: Kuakini Heights. All comments received by July 3, 2025, will be considered by the County of Hawaii prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The County of Hawaii certifies to HUD that Kimo Alameda, in his capacity as Mayor of Hawaii County, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brough 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 County of Hawaii to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the County of Hawaiʻi’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 County of Hawaiʻi; (b) the County of Hawaiʻi 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 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Honolulu Field Office,1003 Bishop Street, Suite 2100, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 or by email at OPHHonolulu@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Dr. Kimo Alameda, Mayor
County of Hawaiʻi
