Breaking News Alerts

We'd like to send you alerts when breaking news happens. Hide this Message

Press "Allow" to Activate

×
  • News Topics
    • Maui News
    • Maui Business
    • Maui Discussion
    • Maui Coronavirus Updates
    • Maui Arts & Entertainment
    • 2022 Election
    • Crime Statistics
    • Maui Sports
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Maui Real Estate
  • Weather & Surf
    • Maui Weather Forecast
    • Maui Surf Report
  • Maui Lifestyle
    • Maui Job Listings
    • Food and Dining
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Real Estate
    • Obituaries
    • Events Calendar
    • What’s Open
  • Latest Maui Videos
    • Make-A-Wish Hawaii Hosts Wish Reveal for Maui Boy
      Malaihi fire - Maui - 6.28.22
  • Special Sections
    • Medical Minute
    • IMUA Discovery Garden

 
 
 
 
Maui Now
Aloha, !
My Profile | Logout
Aloha, Guest!
Login | Register
    Maui Now
  • Sections
  • Maui News
  • Business
  • Weather
  • Election
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Obituaries
  • COVID-19
  • Letters to the Editor
  • News Topics
    • Maui News
    • Maui Business
    • Maui Discussion
    • Maui Coronavirus Updates
    • Maui Arts & Entertainment
    • 2022 Election
    • Crime Statistics
    • Maui Sports
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Maui Real Estate
  • Weather & Surf
    • Maui Weather Forecast
    • Maui Surf Report
  • Maui Lifestyle
    • Maui Job Listings
    • Food and Dining
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Real Estate
    • Obituaries
    • Events Calendar
    • What’s Open
  • Latest Maui Videos
    • Make-A-Wish Hawaii Hosts Wish Reveal for Maui Boy
      Malaihi fire - Maui - 6.28.22
  • Special Sections
    • Medical Minute
    • IMUA Discovery Garden

Real Estate

Real Estate Maui Now is
brought to you in part by

Residents mixed over 100% affordable housing plan Hale Waipu’ilani in S. Maui

By Kehaulani Cerizo
June 7, 2022, 6:30 AM HST
* Updated June 7, 5:48 AM
Listen to this Article
4 minutes
Loading Audio... Article will play after ad...
Playing in :00
A
A
A

The proposed site for 100% workforce housing project Hale Waipuʻilani in Kīhei is outlined in red. PC: Alaula Builders

Saying they’re for affordable housing — just not in this area — at least a dozen opponents to proposed Hale Waipu’ilani 100% workforce project in Kīhei pointed to flooding and traffic concerns Monday during the Maui County Council’s Affordable Housing Committee meeting.

However, a handful of other residents, including the leader of Maui’s affordable housing plan, said the 28-unit affordable project is sorely needed, even if the neighbors don’t want it in their backyards.

Another 400 Maui residents signed a petition by Kahului-based Alaula Builders, saying the project should be built, according to county documents.

The meeting Monday was recessed until 9 a.m. June 13.

Developed by Alaula Builders, Hale Waipu’ilani is seeking the county’s fast-track affordable housing process to create 28 for-sale units on 1.53 acres at 16 E. Waipu’ilani Road, an area that’s surrounded by residential properties. 

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Under the county’s 2.97 residential workforce housing policy, developers may request exemptions or modifications to county code in order to build 100% affordable projects quickly. 

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

After receiving the application, council has 60 days to decide the project’s fate.

Hale Waipu’ilani’s proposed homes range from one bedroom, one bathroom at 430 square feet to three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms at 1,360 square feet. 

Buildings would be on post-and-pier foundations and stormwater retention areas would be created under and around the buildings. Also, 59 parking spots would be included.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Eight units would go toward 80% to 100% of the Area Median Income, 14 units would be for 100% to 120% AMI and six units would be sold to 120% to 140% AMI. 

Developers during the meeting Tuesday said they want affordable housing, but if it doesn’t go through, they may have to look at alternatives. One option would create four lots and up to 12 market-rate homes there, which would need governmental review but not public input. 

“With this plan there will be no community outreach, no council approvals would be required, no Planning Commission approval and no affordable housing,” said Vince Bagoyo, lead project consultant. 

Many opponents against the project said during the meeting Monday that they live near the proposed project site and it suffers from severe flooding. 

“I’m opposed to this project because of how it infringes on my privacy, but I don’t expect that to move you,” neighbor Lloyd Johnson said. “I’ve already heard one person say that we’re just a bunch of NIMBYs, Not In My Backyard, but there’s much more to it than that.”

“This site is subject to frequent flooding, predictably the property owners there will have to trudge ankle deep water from home to car for several days following seasonal heavy rains,” he added.

Mike Moran, Kīhei Community Association president, said he supports the developers and other projects they do, but not this one because of the flood-riddled location.

“This one is just not a good fit,” he said. 

Vernon Kalanikau said the area is part of a wetland, water builds up on the property and there are waterways that run below the site. 

“You go two feet on that proposed project, you’ll hit water, and we all know that place floods,” he said. 

In response to a committee question about those concerns, Doyle Betsill, Alaula Builder president, said he built a subdivision next to this project 10 to 15 years ago.

“As you know we’re surrounded by homes on all four sides . . . there are some challenges with building in this area, but it is all solved by normal construction techniques,” he said.

“So groundwater in a nutshell is not an issue for us as far as the construction’s concerned,” Betsill added.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch in a 2021 letter to the applicant determined that the project site does not contain waters of the U.S., including wetlands or navigable waters of the U.S., defined by its rules.

Others testified in support of the project, including Jeff Gilbreath of Hawaiian Community Assets, which was commissioned by the council to create the Maui County Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan submitted to council in 2021.

He said the project was vetted and part of the plan’s priority projects list.

“It’s important to have conversation with community; you’re obviously going to have weigh concerns of traffic and the priorities of existing homeowners, with the real need of families needing some place to live on island,” he said. “And you will continue to hear affordable housing is great, just not in my backyard.”

Alaula Builders is also working on 100% workforce housing projects Kuikahi Village in Wailuku and Hale Kaiola in North Kihei. Forty Maui families were selected during a lottery in March for Hale Kaiola, which is slated to open in September.

Kehaulani Cerizo
Kehaulani Cerizo was born and raised on Maui and worked for nearly 15 years as a news reporter, copy editor and features editor at daily newspapers. She earned awards at The Maui News in Wailuku and at Today’s Local News in San Diego.
Read Full Bio
Maui Jobs View All Jobs Chevron Forward
CALLY L ADAMS, DDS, LLC
DENTAL HYGIENIST
South Maui · 2 weeks ago

Hale Makua
Certified Nursing Assistant
Central Maui · 1 month ago

Home Builders Institute
Building Construction Technology Instructor
East Maui · 3 weeks ago

Hale Makua
Certified Nursing Assistant
Central Maui · 1 month ago
Looking for locally based talent?
Post a Job Listing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in-the-know with daily or weekly
headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Cancel
Mahalo for Subscribing
×

Related Articles

  • Rally Touts Affordable Housing Plan Amid "Housing Crisis"
    July 21, 2021
  • 100% affordable project Hale Waipuʻilani in Kīhei advances
    June 13, 2022
  • Nā Hale O Maui Completes Kahoma, Lahaina Affordable…
    November 18, 2020
  • Hale Pilina Family Affordable Rental Housing Project…
    January 4, 2021
  • FONSI Filed for Proposed Hale Pilina Family…
    July 14, 2021
  • Maui council may adjust metrics to make affordable…
    May 26, 2022
Make the most of your Maui vacation with these top-rated activities: Maui Top 20: Maui Visitor & Tourism Information

Comments

This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Maui Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments
Trending Now
1California Man Drowns While Snorkeling At Black Rock In Kaʻanapali 2Council Committee Recommends That Maui County Acquire Controversial Napili House 3Teen Boy Falls 80 Feet Off North Shore Cliff Into Ocean Transported To Maui Memorial 4Half Acre Burned In Fire At Homeless Encampment In Waiehu Maui 5Owners Give Lahaina Crossroads Tenants More Time Protesters Decry Housing Woes 6Gov Ige Unveils Veto List Including Renewable Energy Bill That Could Jeopardize Lanaʻi Project
Back to Top
  • Maui News
  • Maui Business
  • Weather
  • Entertainment
  • Maui Surf
  • Maui Sports
  • COVID-19 Updates
  • Crime Statistics
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Maui Activities
  • Maui Discussion
  • Food and Dining
  • Real Estate
  • Events
  • What’s Open
  • Maui Jobs
  • About Maui Now
  • Contact Information
  • About Our Ads
  • App
  • Newsletter
  • Terms of Service

Copyright © 2022 Pacific Media Group. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | About Our Ads