NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to Sections 91-3 and 92-41, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA), Department of Human Services, hereby provides notice that it will hold public hearings to consider proposed emergency rules entitled, “Emergency Rules Relating to Preferences for the Hawaii County Waiting List”.
Background: On May 3, 2018, the Governor of the State of Hawaii issued a Proclamation and subsequent Supplementary Proclamations dated May 9, 2018, June 5, 2018, and August 3, 2018, which proclaimed an emergency related to the Pu`u `O`o vent in the East Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano located in the County of Hawai`i. The Emergency Proclamation suspended, as allowed by law, numerous Hawaii statutes for the “speedy and efficient relief of damages, losses, and suffering resulting” from the lava flows and volcanic activity.
The lava flow, earthquakes, volcanic gases and ash that have been caused by the volcanic eruptive process have caused extensive damage to property, utilities, and infrastructure, caused great suffering and displaced individuals, families, and businesses.
The emergency rules assist eligible individuals and families in Hawaii County directly impacted by the destructive lava flow and other volcanic impacts and are necessary to provide priority housing assistance to affected individuals and families. Based on the above, there is an imminent peril to the public health, safety or morals, or to the natural resources caused by the volcanic activity in the County of Hawaii requiring immediate adoption of these emergency rules upon less than thirty days’ notice of hearing.
Emergency Rules: The emergency rules shall only apply to HPHA waiting lists on the County of Hawaii. An applicant involuntarily displaced by natural disaster in Hawaii County shall be given priority preference before any other applicant regardless of other applicants’ preference. The remaining three preference groups: (1) Involuntarily displaced by government action or action of the housing owner for reasons beyond the applicant’s control; (2) victims of domestic violence who are participating in a program with case management through a domestic violence shelter, program, or clearinghouse; and (3) homeless persons who are participating in a federally or state funded homeless transitional shelter or program, and who are in compliance with a social service plan, are of equal weight, and eligible applicants shall be given preference in the order of the dates of their applications if, at the time they are seeking housing assistance, they fall within the preference priority groups.
The complete rules are available on the HPHA website at Hyperlink: http://www.hpha.hawaii.gov/referenceinformation/admin_rule.htm
Public Review: The proposed Emergency Rules are available for public viewing at the HPHA City and County of Honolulu and Hawaii County site management offices at the following locations between 7:45a.m. to 4:30p.m.
HPHA’s Administrative Offices, 1002 N. School Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Puuwai Momi Office, 99-132 Kohomua Street, Aiea
Oahu: Kalihi Valley Home’s Office, 2250 Kalena Drive, Honolulu
Oahu: Mayor Wright Homes Office, 521 N. Kukui Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Kalakaua Homes Office, 1545 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu
Oahu: Punchbowl Homes Office, 730 Captain Cook Avenue, Honolulu
Oahu: Hale Poai Office, 1001 N. School Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Waimaha Sunflower Office: 85-186 McArthur Street, Waianae
Oahu: Koolau Village Office: 45-1027 Kamau Place, Kaneohe
Oahu: Palolo Valley Homes Office: 2107 Ahe Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Kuhio Homes Office: 1475 Linapuni Street, Honolulu
Hawaii Office: 600 Wailoa Street, Hilo
Hawaii Office: 78-6725 Makolea Street, Kailua-Kona
Hawaii Office: 65-1191 Opelo Road, Kamuela
Public Hearings: Public hearings will be held at the following locations on
Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.:
Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) Kealakehe Housing Project
1002 N. School Street, Bldg. “A” Resident Association Meeting Room
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 74-991 Manawalea St. #A101
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
Lanakila Homes Conference Room
600 Wailoa Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
All interested persons are invited to provide comments relating to the proposed Emergency Rules.
Oral comments should be presented at the public hearing. All oral and written testimony presented at the public hearing will be considered in preparing the Emergency Rules. Persons who cannot attend the hearing and prefer not to provide written comments may phone (808) 721-3512 and leave their comments as a voicemail message.
Written comments may be presented to the presiding officer at the public hearing, or mailed to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Attention: PHA Plan, at 1002 North School Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. Written comments may also be faxed to (808) 832-4679, or sent by electronic mail to hpha@hawaii.gov. Written comments not presented at the public hearing should be received at HPHA office in Honolulu by 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 23, 2017.
Any person requiring assistance to participate, such as large print, taped materials, interpreters for sign language or limited English proficiency, etc., should make a request to HPHA at least two working days prior to the public hearings in order to allow time to make arrangements. Requests can be made by writing to HPHA at the email or standard address above or by calling (808) 832-4693.
Hakim Ouansafi
Executive Director
Hawaii Public Housing Authority
Department of Human Services
HPHA does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, ancestry, age, marital status, or HIV infection.
August 20, 2018
(SA1124675 8/20/18)
