COUNTY OF KAUAI
LEGAL PUBLIC NOTICE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
February 16, 2023
Responsible Entity: County of Kauai
Kauai County Housing Agency
4444 Rice Street, Suite 330
Lihue, Hawaii 96766
(808) 241-4444
Project Name: Lima Ola Phase I, Multi-Family Affordable Housing Development
Project Summary: New construction rental housing project consisting of 45 residential units in
12 residential buildings to provide affordable housing for Kauai’s workforce.
Non-residential improvements include parking stalls, onsite management office, community room and laundry room.
Lima Ola Phase I Multi-Family’s units will be affordable to households who are 80% and below Kauai’s median household income. The project will feature a mix of unit sizes and offer accessible units to those with mobility and sensory impairments.
Project Location: Project site is situated in the District of Koloa, Kauai, on approximately 2.67 acres identified as lot 45 in the Lima Ola Subdivision.
Funding: HOME Investment Partnership Program ($2,250,029.00)
National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Program ($3,369,981.00)
This Notice shall satisfy three separate but related procedural requirements for activities undertaken By the County of Kauai.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN
In accordance with 24 CFR 91 of the federal regulations relative to Citizen Participation for the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and other Community Planning and Development Programs (CPD) under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Kauai County Housing Agency (KCHA) give notice of the above mentioned project utilizing PY22 HOME and HTF funds.
Written comments may be submitted via email to sfranco@kauai.gov or via U.S. mail to Kauai County Housing Agency, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Lihue, Hawaii 96766, Attn: Steve Franco. The 30-day comment period will commence on February 16, 2023. All comments received by March 18, 2023 will be considered.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS (RROF)
On or about March 6, 2023, the County of Kauai will submit a request to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) for the Release of HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program funds authorized by Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended and National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Program funds authorized by Title I of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) of 2008, Section 1131 (Public Law 110-289).
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI)
The County of Kauai has determined that the projects 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 the Kauai County Housing Agency, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii 96766, and may be examined or copied weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or at www.kauai.gov/housing.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Kauai County Housing Agency, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Lihue, Hawaii 96766, Attn: Steve Franco or by email at sfranco@kauai.gov. All comments received prior to March 3, 2023, will be considered by the County of Kauai, prior to authorizing the submission of a request for the release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The County of Kauai certifies to HHFDC that Derek S.K. Kawakami, in his capacity as Mayor, 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. HHFDC’s approval of the certification satisfies their respective responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the County of Kauai to use Program funds for these projects.
OBJECTIONS TO THE RELEASE OF HOME AND HTF FUNDS
HHFDC will accept objections to its release of funds and the County of Kauai’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 basis: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the County of Kauai; (b) the County of Kauai has omitted a step or failed to make 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 release of funds by HHFDC; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project(s) is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sect. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, Attn: Keri Higa, Planner or keri.higa@hawaii.gov . Potential objectors should contact HHFDC at (808) 587-0577 to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
COUNTY OF KAUAI
(TGI1405193 2/16/23)
