Kenolio Apartments Proposed for Fast Track Approval

Kenolio landscape plan. Image credit: Chris Hart & Partners via Office of Council Services. Click on image to view in greater detail.

By Wendy Osher

An affordable housing multi-family apartment project is proposed for construction on eight acres of land in the South Maui community of Kīhei.

The Maui County Council’s Land Use Committee will conduct a site inspection at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, to view the location for the proposed Kenolio Apartments affordable housing project.

Committee Chair Robert Carroll made the announcement today saying, “I am pleased to facilitate consideration of another fast-track affordable housing application in my committee and look forward to receiving testimony from the public.”

Kenolio Apartment proposed project site. Photo courtesy state of Hawaii, DEA document prepared by Chris Hart & Associates.

The project is proposed for fast-track approval under Chapter 201H, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes.  County officials say Chapter 201H “provides developers of qualified affordable-housing projects the opportunity to seek exemptions from certain laws relating to planning, zoning, construction, and development.”

In a press release statement Carroll said, “While the county is in need of more affordable housing, I urge careful review of the project and the applicant’s request for several exemptions from certain permitting and development requirements.”

The Kenolio Apartments project calls for 186 housing units on two parcels located makai of the Piʻilani Highway at the intersection of Kaʻonoʻulu and Kenolio Streets.  County officials say this includes up to two on-site manager units, consisting of 63 one-bedroom units, 100 two-bedroom units and 23 three-bedroom units.

The plans also include amenities such as a community center, pool, fitness room, computer center, common laundry, centralized trash and recycling areas, and recreation areas for picnics and barbecues.

The project is proposed by Idaho-based real estate and financing firm Pacific West Communities, Inc., a subsidiary of The Pacific Companies. The Kenolio project will be the first for the company in the state of Hawaiʻi.

Under the fast-track proposal, the council’s deadline to act on the proposal is Oct. 23, 2015.

The site inspection will convene at the southern end of Kenolio, approximately 150 feet from its intersection with Kaʻonoulu Street, makai of Piʻilani Highway in Kīhei.  A meeting will also be held on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.