The measure comes as the Building Board of Appeals contemplates a case regarding the revocation of a permit at an alleged monster home under construction in Kaimuki.

According to the Department of Planning and Permitting in their position statement, the developer of the project allegedly provided incorrect information on her permit application, and misrepresented the building density, and violated the thresholds established for setbacks and the number of bathrooms, among other things.

DPP chose to revoke the permit as a result – a decision that the developer is currently appealing.

Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam said, “We need to start going after these monster home developers. They can’t just lie and get away with it. That means we need to start strengthening penalties. We need to impose fines, community service, jail time. We need to take decisive action.”

Bill 44 would make it illegal to intentionally provide inaccurate information to a city official, or to influence others to do so. Violators would be handed a misdemeanor and could face a number of penalties, including:

• Up to a $2,000 fine;
• Up to 80 hours of community service; and/or
• Imprisonment for up to one year.

Dos Santos-Tam represents City Council District 6, which spans from Kakaʻako to Kalihi, and includes portions of Kakaʻako, Chinatown, Downtown, Punchbowl, Papakōlea, Pauoa Valley, Nu‘uanu, Iwilei, Liliha, ‘Ālewa Heights, Kalihi and Kalihi Valley.

*Cover photo: file general image of construction not related to the home discussed in this article.

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  Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility and onsite Soil Aquifer Treatment basin. PC: Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice / prepared by Munekiyo Hiraga for: County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management
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  Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility and onsite Soil Aquifer Treatment basin. PC: Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice / prepared by Munekiyo Hiraga for: County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management
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  Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility and onsite Soil Aquifer Treatment basin. PC: Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice / prepared by Munekiyo Hiraga for: County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management
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  Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility and onsite Soil Aquifer Treatment basin. PC: Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice / prepared by Munekiyo Hiraga for: County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management
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  Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility and onsite Soil Aquifer Treatment basin. PC: Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice / prepared by Munekiyo Hiraga for: County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management
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  Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility and onsite Soil Aquifer Treatment basin. PC: Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice / prepared by Munekiyo Hiraga for: County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management

An Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice has been filed for the proposed development of a new Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility and onsite Soil Aquifer Treatment basin in Waikapū.

A public scoping meeting will be held Aug. 16, 2023 at 6 p.m. Waikapū Community Center, and a 30-day public review and comment period on the document has begun. Comments are due by Aug. 22, 2023, and should be sent to the accepting authority, with a copy sent to the consultant. (Contact information is posted below):

• Accepting Authority: County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management, 2200 Main Street, Suite 610, Wailuku, Hawaiʻi 96793. Contact: Juan Rivera, P.E., Capital Improvements Projects Program Manager, Phone: 808-270-7268
• Consultant: Munekiyo Hiraga, 305 High Street, Suite 104, Wailuku, Hawai‘i 96793. Contact: Yukino Uchiyama, AICP, Senior Associate, Phone: 808-983-1233, email: CentralMauiWWRF@munekiyohiraga.com

The project is planned on approximately 14.9 acres of former agricultural lands between the Honoapi‘ilani Highway and Kūihelani Highway as well as related offsite infrastructure improvements.

Offsite improvements consist of:

• A wastewater pump station near the existing master-planned Kehalani community;
• A sewage pipeline from the Kehalani Wastewater Pump Station to the Wastewater Reclamation Facility;
• Portions of sewage pipeline and R-1 recycled water transmission line that connect the Wastewater Reclamation Facility and the future Waikapū Country Town development; and
• A Wastewater Reclamation Facility access road.

The proposed Wastewater Reclamation Facility will service existing and planned developments throughout the Waikapū/Wailuku area, as well as State of Hawai‘i projects in Pūlehunui.

According to the EISPN, implementation of this new Wastewater Reclamation Facility will reduce wastewater flows currently being handled by the Wailuku-Kahului Wastewater Reclamation Facility, the main wastewater treatment facility servicing the Central Maui region.

The proposed development of a Wastewater Reclamation Facility and related improvements involving use of County lands and County/State funds and a Community Plan Amendment are triggers for compliance with environmental review requirements. 

Due to the scale and potential impacts of the proposed Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility Project, the Department of Environmental Management has determined that an Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared. In addition, the use of federal funds may be pursued for the proposed project.

The Wastewater Reclamation Facility and Soil Aquifer Treatment basin project site is located on lands designated: “Agricultural” by the State Land Use Commission; “Agriculture” use in the Wailuku-Kahului Community Plan; and “Agricultural” district by the County of Maui. Development of the Wastewater Reclamation Facility and Soil Aquifer Treatment basin project will require: a State Land Use Commission District Boundary Amendment; Community Plan Amendment; and Change of Zoning approvals.

A Cultural Impact Assessment study for the project area will be prepared as part of the environmental review process. A copy of the Cultural Impact Assessment report will be included and its findings will be discussed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

The proposed project will be developed over a multi-phased time horizon, according to the EIS Preparation Notice. A project phasing plan and estimated project construction cost will be presented in the Draft EIS.

*Maui Now’s Wendy Osher contributed to this report.

The June median is down nearly 20% from last month’s $1,252,500 median. There were 70 homes that closed in June 2023, down from the 86 that closed at the same time a year ago.

The greatest number of homes in June were sold in Kahului, where 15 single family homes were sold for a median of $935,000. Dollar volume was $13,969,888, according to the RAM data.

There were also 10 single family homes sold in Wailuku for a median price of $957,500, and dollar volume of $10,375,000, according to RAM.

The greatest median prices were in Olowalu and Kapalua where median were listed at $7.5M and $6.04M respectively.

The days on the market and monthly supply of inventory increased for both single family homes and condominium homes according to data compiled by RAM:

• Days on Market increased 4.5% for single family homes and 71.6% for condominium homes.
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 33.3% for single family homes and 68.8% for condominium homes.

The RAM report also noted the following data for new listings, pending sales and inventory:

• New Listings decreased 46.2% for single family homes and 25.5% for condominium homes.
• Pending Sales decreased 6.3% for single family homes but increased 1.2% for condominium homes.
• Inventory decreased 14.6% for single family homes and 8.6% for condominium homes.

The full Realtors Association of Maui report is posted online here.

*Cover photo: File Maui Now

Field work for the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation’s 2024 Housing Planning Study was completed recently.

Since the fall of last year, more than 7,200 surveys were completed and compiled by consultant SMS Research and Marketing, Inc. (SMS).

Participants were selected randomly to participate in the survey via the telephone, US Postal Service mail, or email, according to SMS president and CEO Tim Carson, who thanked members of the public for their willingness to participate.

HHFDC Interim Executive Director Dean Minakami noted that Governor Josh Green, M.D., had declared the construction of housing to be his administration’s biggest priority.

“The data that we’ve collected will help HHFDC and others in the affordable housing community to identify the greatest areas of needs,” Minakami said. “This will allow us to make more informed decisions about how we can best maximize our resources.”

Survey results and other data are being analyzed. The completed report is expected to be released next year.

Hawaiian Community Assets has been awarded $903,168 by American Savings Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to expand housing counseling and financial education support for its Kahua Waiwai Homebuyer Program.

“We are immensely grateful to American Savings Bank for their generous support through The FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund,” said Chelsie Evans Enos, Executive Director of Hawaiian Community Assets. “Their commitment to our mission of housing readiness and financial education will enable us to reach more individuals and families in need. This funding will empower us to expand our programs for more rent to own options, increase those reached through personalized housing ready counselors, and equip Hawai‘i’s people with the knowledge and resources necessary to achieve stable and sustainable housing.”

The FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund, which provided a nearly $3-to-$1 matching award, turned ASB’s commitment of $250,000 and FHLB Des Moines’ matching grant of $653,168 into a total of $903,168 for HCA. 

“We are honored to support Hawaiian Community Assets and their dedication to providing affordable and sustainable housing solutions for Hawaii,” said Ann Teranishi, president and CEO at ASB. “Collaboration is essential to everything we do at ASB. It’s important that we continue working together to provide workforce development, financial education and affordable housing programs and opportunities that will make a meaningful and lasting impact for generations to come.”

The HCA Kahua Waiwai Homebuyer Program offers free homeownership resources to assist low- and moderate-income individuals and families in Hawai‘i, contributing to the overall well-being and stability of the community. As a nonprofit organization and HUD-certified housing counseling agency, HCA is committed to helping local families build generational wealth, establishing economic empowerment and financial stability.

The fund’s matching award amplified ASB’s commitment to supporting affordable housing and community development initiatives by turning ASB’s donation of $500,000 and FHLB Des Moines’ matching grant of $1.3 million into a total of $1.8 million for eight local nonprofits. The grants aim to tackle critical challenges in Hawai‘i and provide much-needed support to residents facing high living expenses and a shortage of affordable housing. 

HCA received the largest grant among the awardees, highlighting their dedication to affordable housing and community development. This recognition aligns with ASB and FHLB Des Moines’ shared vision for empowering local communities, according to the announcement.

To celebrate this achievement, ASB hosted an award event on July 7 to recognize HCA and the other nonprofit recipients.

The Nā‘iwa Homesteaders Program announced its upcoming virtual workshop on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Farm Plan for agricultural lessees. This workshop, presented by Nā’iwa Agricultural Subdivision Alliance and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, will provide valuable insights and guidance for 58 individuals and their families interested in agricultural pursuits on their Hawaiian home lands.

The workshop will take place on Monday, July 17, 2023, at 5 p.m. HST. Attendees can join the workshop via Zoom using this link. The session will feature a presentation followed by a dedicated Q&A session, allowing participants to interact with the presenters and gain a deeper understanding of the DHHL Farm Plan.

The Nā‘iwa Homesteaders Program hopes to empower individuals and families with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate the DHHL process effectively. Over the past few months, the program has successfully organized three workshops, covering topics such as gaining a better understanding of the DHHL Nā‘iwa Agricultural Lease Agreement and preparing for homeownership through comprehensive Financial Counseling Services provided by Hawaiian Community Assets.

The project will train native Hawaiians as owner-builders, assisting them in navigating the permitting, approval and construction process unique to Hawaiian Home Lands as well as build their capacity to move their agricultural land leases into production. HCL will provide consumer and affordable housing loans for credit building, debt consolidation, and interim construction financing so families can obtain mortgage financing. Native Hawaiian homebuilders will also receive technical assistance and lines of credit to increase their capacity to build package homes on Hawaiian Home Lands using federal financing.

Each of the partners has an important role in the project. 

Nā’iwa Agricultural Subdivision Alliance is native Hawaiian beneficiary-led will form a community advisory committee, recruit community members, host workshops including agricultural trainings for the lessees and coordinate with HCL for quarterly meetings. 

Hawai‘i Community Lending is Native Hawaiian-controlled and provides grants and loans to help families qualify for construction and mortgage financing. HCL will also create an owner-builder handbook focused on the needs of native Hawaiian beneficiaries. 

HCA is Native Hawaiian-controlled and provides HUD housing counseling to assist families with budgeting, saving and reducing debt. 

1^stTribal Lending will offer affordable mortgage options to native families nationwide. 

Honsador Lumber is committed to native Hawaiians and will provide building supplies with value-engineered home packages that will be affordable for the families. 

Ozzy’s Construction is native Hawaiian-owned and will build homes and hire and train on-island workers.

An in-person Financial Assessment gathering is scheduled for the end of July, aimed at assisting families in their farm and home lot development.

Hawai‘i Community Lending is a nonprofit native community development financial institution serving Native Hawaiians residing in Hawaiʻi. Started in 2002 as a mortgage broker under Hawaiian Community Assets and founded as a subsidiary nonprofit in 2014, HCL provides financial education and affordable loans to help Native Hawaiian families get back to the land through homeownership. For more information, visit www.HawaiiCommunityLending.com.

Nā’iwa Agricultural Subdivision Alliance is an organization made of up volunteer lessees and successors of Nā’iwa and committed to helping the Nā‘iwa Agricultural Subdivision (58 lots) lessees and their beneficiaries toward homeownership and active subsistence farming through home-owner builder programs and farm development programs for improved quality of life and generational sustainability.

American Savings Bank, in collaboration with Hawaiʻi Community Lending, made a $4.3 million investment in homeownership opportunities for Native Hawaiians eligible to reside on Hawaiian home lands.

Hawaiʻi Community Lending, a nonprofit community development financial institution, will use $4 million of American Savings Bank’s investment to offer interim construction loans requiring no down payment to Native Hawaiians across the state.

American Savings Bank’s investment comes at a time when the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, under the leadership of new director Kali Watson, plans to spend $600 million in state funds for housing.

“We mahalo American Savings Bank for their commitment to housing Hawaiians,” said Jeff Gilbreath, executive director at Hawaiʻi Community Lending. “This $4.3 million is just the beginning. It represents a down payment on what we believe will grow into the largest investment of private capital into housing Hawaiian home land beneficiaries since the creation of the trust lands more than 100 years ago.”

In addition to the investment, American Savings Bank will provide a $365,000 grant to Hawaiʻi Community Lending to support operations of the construction loan fund.

American Savings Bank leveraged a 2.6x match from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines under the Member Impact Fund, a $15 million initiative aimed to increase resources for affordable housing in Hawai‘i and other underserved states and territories.

According to Gilbreath, nearly 800 Native Hawaiians with paper leases under Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’s Undivided Interest Lessee Program are unable to build homes due to lack of affordable construction financing and infrastructure.

“This type of partnership does not happen overnight,” Gilbreath said. “It requires us to be upfront and clear with one another about our intentions. As we move forward, American Savings Bank and Hawaiʻi Community Lending continue to have many conversations about how to best support the community.”

“I feel confident that we can provide interim construction loans to Hawaiian families who deserve them, and over time develop a larger, more extensive partnership that always puts community at the forefront,” Gilbreath added.

With Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ plan to use part of the $600 million allocation from the State for critical infrastructure needs, American Savings Bank’s investment in Hawaiʻi Community Lending will give native Hawaiians new capability to construct and own a home in Hawai‘i.

“We are committed to building on our efforts to expand access to affordable homeownership,” said Ann Teranishi, president and CEO at American Savings Bank. “It is our obligation and privilege to give back to the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with Hawai‘i Community Lending to create positive change for Hawai‘i.”

Native Hawaiian families in need of a construction loan on Hawaiian home lands are encouraged to sign up for Hawaiʻi Community Lendingʻs interest list so they can apply for a loan once funding becomes available.

To join the interest list, call Hawaiʻi Community Lending at 808-587-7656 or visit HawaiiCommunityLending.com/buy-a-home to complete the contact form.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, marking the start of a $17 million capital improvement project to install infrastructure for the planned Puʻunani subdivision in Waikapū.

The project will provide infrastructure in support of the subdivision, which will comprise 161 residential lots for DHHL native Hawaiian beneficiaries. This includes 137 turn-key homes and 24 improved vacant lots. 

DHHL reports the funding is the first from the $600 million appropriated under Act 279 to serve beneficiaries on the DHHL waitlist.

A Final Environmental Assessment for water system storage improvements was published in October 2022. That portion of the project was projected to cost $4.2 million, according to an FEA document.

The estimated direct project construction cost for the subdivision was estimated at $72.3 million for lot development, installation of infrastructure, and construction of turn-key homes. That estimate was included in the subdivision’s 2020 Final Environmental Assessment.

The subdivision will be located mauka of the Honoapiʻilani Highway, between the Waiolani and Kehalani subdivisions.

Dowling Company, Inc. will work on grading, construction of roads, and utility improvements for the homestead community. Project improvements include internal roadways, potable water, sewer, drainage detention basin, utility connections, and roadway frontage improvements along Honoapiʻilani Highway. 

DHHL reports construction is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the first of 137 turn-key homes expected to be offered in the third quarter of 2025, pending the completion of an additional water tank. 

DHHL reportedly acquired an approximately 48-acre parcel in Waikapū in June 2019 that would become the future Puʻunani Homestead Subdivision based on an agreement to transfer Affordable Housing Credits to the developer.

Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair Kali Watson said the Department “will need to continue to explore these types of opportunities to execute on the Hawaiian Home Commission Act’s fiduciary commitment to put Hawaiian families in homes.” 

A Final Environmental Assessment for the subdivision was published in 2020. At the time, DHHL reported that upon project competition, the Residential lots would be offered to Waiohuli Undivided Interest lessees in their original selection order based on a 2019 HHC decision allowing the relocation of these leases; and any remaining lots would be offered to the Maui Island Residential Waiting List.

*This story was updated with visuals and additional information from the groundbreaking event.

Held at Kīhei Community Center, 303 E. Lipoa St., the tax sale will open doors at 8:30 a.m., and the auction will start at 9:30 a.m.

As of May 18, there were seven properties scheduled to be sold. Properties may still be removed from the tax sale list if all taxes, penalties, interest and costs have been paid in full prior to the date of the sale.

Each parcel will be sold to the highest bidder with a certified or cashier’s check. Individuals bidding at the auction must register and verify funds before the auction starts. Representatives or agents of others are required to provide notarized documents showing authorization to bid on behalf of parties they represent.

More information on the tax sale, including a list of the properties being sold and frequently asked questions, may be found by selecting “delinquent tax accounts” on the real property tax website, www.mauicounty.gov/RPT.

Armstrong Builders recently received a 2023 Gold Nugget Merit Award in the Best Multi-Family Housing Community category for Makali‘i at Wailea. Located in Wailea, Maui, the 68 townhomes are spread across 17 acres overlooking Maui’s southeastern coast.

“We’re extremely proud to receive this national recognition for Makali‘i at Wailea,” said James Keller, president of Armstrong Builder in a news release. “As one of only three Hawaiʻi projects recognized, it’s a true testament to the quality of craftsmanship and service for which our company is known.”

Designed in a style described as “Mid-Century Modern Hawaiian,” these two- and three-bedroom homes highlight indoor/outdoor living. “The clean lines blend into the hillside with open floor plans mimicking the expanse of the island itself,” according to the announcement. The project architect was G70 and landscape design was done by Walters Kimura Motoda.

There are four different floor plans featuring open living areas, an expansive lānai and ceilings sloping upward from nine feet at the entrance to 13 feet culminating in a full glass wall facing the ocean. Some of the unique finishes include a copper roof, ipe courtyard deck, a ceramic tile lānai, breezeway windows and coral exterior accents. 

Every unit has an entry courtyard and lānai. The kitchen is designed for efficiency and casual dining and features a Viking range, dishwasher and in-cabinet microwave. 

The gated community also has a private Makali‘i Residents’ Club, which offers views, a reflective infinity pool, a culinary area and pavilion, a gym with locker rooms and a sauna, and walking paths leading to micro parks planted with native vegetation.

Renowned artist Satoru Abe created a sculpture for Makali‘i, which is displayed at the entry to the Club.

The Gold Nugget Awards recognize excellence and innovation in architectural design. Currently in its 60th year, the Gold Nugget Awards are open to builders, architects, and land planners with communities and projects in the US and all international countries.

Makaliʻi at Wailea was the only Maui property recognized at the award event. There were two other Hawaiʻi properties that earned awards–both on the island of Oʻahu: Kaʻalawai Place in Honolulu, developed by Nicholson Companies; and Līlia Waikīkī, developed by Brookfield Properties.