186 Affordable Apartments Proposed in Kīhei Project

Kenolio Apartment proposed project site. South view, looking at the proposed project site from the intersection of Kaʻonoʻulu Street and Piʻilani Highway. Photo courtesy state of Hawaii, draft environmental statement prepared by Chris Hart & Associates.

By Wendy Osher

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

The Kenolio Apartment project calls for the construction of 186 units on two parcels located makai of the Piʻilani Highway at the intersection of Kaʻonoʻulu and Kenolio Streets. The Kūlanihākoʻi Gulch is located in the neighboring property to the south.

The site is currently vacant with a portion being used as a temporary office and storage site for Betsill Brothers Construction.

During an Archaeological Assessment Survey conducted by Xamanek Resarchers, LLC, in 2013, there were no significant material cultural remains located, according to information compiled in the draft environmental assessment.

A Cultural Impact Assessment of the site and surrounding area was conducted in April 2007 and January 2013 by Jill Engledow. According to the DEA, the the study found no signs of permanent habitation or agriculture on the project site despite its location a half-mile mauka of the Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond cultural feature.

The 186 units includes: 63 one-bedroom units, 100 two-bedroom units, and 23 three-bedroom units. On-site amenities planned at the site also include a swimming pool, covered picnic area, and community building with laundry facility.

According to the DEA, infrastructure improvements planned at the site include: paved roadways, concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks, onsite parking, drainage systems, water systems, sewer system, underground utilities, irrigation well for landscape planting and offsite roadway improvements along Kenolio Road fronting the project site.

A 30 day public review and comment period is underway on the project’s Draft Environmental Assessment, with comments due by Aug. 22, 2014.

The project proposed by Pacific West Communities, a subsidiary of The Pacific Companies. The privately-held group has successfully completed more than 125 multifamily housing and charter school facilities in the western US since 1998, according to the company website. The Kenolio project will be the first for the company in the state of Hawaiʻi.