County of Hawaiʻi
Office of Housing and Community Development
1990 Kinoʻole Street, Suite 102
Hilo, HI 96720
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 March 9, 2026, the County of Hawaii will submit a request to the State of Hawaii’s Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) for the release of HOME Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds, authorized under Section 3205 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2)(“ARP”), in the amount of $1,882,621 and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Program funds, authorized under Section 1131 of Title 1 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-289), in the amount of $2,830,351, to undertake a project known as Kuakini Heights for the purpose of new construction of a 100-unit multi-family residential development in Kailua-Kona Hawaii. The development will consist of 23 residential buildings with a total of 28 one-bedroom units, 60 two-bedroom units, and 12 three-bedroom units. The subject property is additionally proposed to be developed with a management office and community room building, a maintenance building, storage shed, landscaping, concrete-paved walkways, and asphalt-paved driveways and parking areas.
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) by request via email to royce.shiroma@hawaiicounty.gov or contact Royce Shiroma by calling (808) 961-8379.
Public Comments
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development, Attn: Royce Shiroma, 1990 Kinoʻole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawaii 96720; royce.shiroma@hawaiicounty.gov. Reference the project by name: Kuakini Heights Project in Kailua-Kona. All comments received by March 8, 2026, will be considered by the County of Hawaiʻi prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
Environmental Certification
The County of Hawaiʻi certifies to HUD that Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, in his capacity as Mayor of the County of Hawaii, 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 County of Hawaiʻi to use Program funds. The County of Hawaiʻi 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) which will be available upon request via email to royce.shiroma@hawaiicounty.gov or contact Royce Shiroma by calling (808) 961-8379 or available on HUD’s website: https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews.
Objections to Release of Funds
State of Hawaiʻi HHFDC 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 State of Hawaiʻi HHFDC; 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 State of Hawaiʻi’s HHFDC at Keri.higa@hawaii.gov or 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, HI 96813. Potential objectors should contact State of Hawaiʻi/HHFDC to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Mayor C. Kimo Alameda
County of Hawaiʻi
Please click here to view the full Public Notice.
