NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS Governor of the State of Hawai’i Office of the Governor, Capitol Executive Chambers 415 South Beretania Street Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 586-0034 On or about April 1, 2021, the State of Hawai’i will authorize the Hawai’i Public Housing Authority (HPHA) to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to convert federal public housing assistance for 347 units at the project known as Kuhio Park Terrace High-Rise (Project) to Section 8 Project Based Voucher assistance under the HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program (authorized in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012). Estimated annual RAD Section 8 Project Based Voucher funding for the Project is $5,306,172. The Project is located at 1475 Linapuni St, Honolulu, HI 96819. The HPHA has initiated a RAD program conversion of the public housing units in the Project’s two residential towers along with other associated areas (e.g. parking) and facilities with KPT Towers I, LLC (subsidiary of The Michaels Organization), the leasehold owner of the Project, and HUD. Of the project’s 555 total units, 347 public housing units will be converted to Section 8 Project-Based Voucher assistance through the RAD process. The remaining 208 units will remain affordable per low-income housing tax credit limits. No construction or rehabilitation work is required or will be completed as part of the RAD conversion. The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at and may be examined on the HPHA website http://www.hpha.hawaii.gov/. The HPHA’s offices located at 1002 North School Street, Honolulu, HI 96817 remain closed during the National Emergency concerning COVID-19. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR by emailing them to: Kevin D. Auger Redevelopment Officer Hawai’i Public Housing Authority 1002 North School Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96817 Kevin.d.auger@hawaii.gov All comments received by notice date plus seven days; will be considered by the State of Hawai’i prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The State of Hawai’i certifies to HUD that The Honorable Governor David Ige in his capacity as Governor of the State of Hawai’i 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 HPHA to use HUD Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the State of Hawai’i’s certification for a period of fifteen (15) 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 State of Hawai’i; (b) the State of Hawai’i 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. Due to HUD staff working remotely during the National Emergency concerning COVID-19, objections must be prepared and submitted via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Mr. Jesse Wu, HUD Honolulu Field Office at Jesse.Wu@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the HUD Honolulu Field Office via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period. David Y. Ige, Governor State of Hawai’i (SA/HTH/WHT/TGI1314638 2/10/21)