Breaking News Alerts

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

Press "Allow" to Activate

Search
Aloha, !
My Profile | Logout
Aloha, Guest!
Login | Register
  • News Topics
    • Front Page
    • Maui News
    • 2022 Election
    • Business
    • Food & Dining
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Real Estate
    • Crime Statistics
    • Local Sports
  • Weather & Surf
    • Weather Forecast
    • Surf Report
  • Lifestyle & Culture
    • Maui Arts & Entertainment
    • Food and Dining
    • On the Menu
    • Real Estate
    • Obituaries
  • Opinion
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Maui Discussion
    • Reader Survey
  • Events Calendar
    • Upcoming Maui Events
    • Map of Events
    • Post an Event
  • Job Listings
    • Maui Jobs
    • Recent Job Listings
    • Job Alerts
    • Post a Job
  • Special Sections
    • IMUA Discovery Garden
    • Medical Minute
  • Video
    • Latest Maui Videos
  • × Close Menu
  • About Maui Now
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Information
  • Get the App
  • Advertising
  • Meet the Team
Choose Your Island:
  • Kauai
  • Maui
  • Big Island
Copyright © 2023 Pacific Media Group
All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy | About Our Ads

Maui Now
Search
Aloha, !
My Profile | Logout
Aloha, Guest!
Login | Register
    Maui Now
  • Sections
  • Maui News
  • Business
  • Weather
  • Entertainment
  • Election
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion

Real Estate

Another Waiehu affordable housing project moves ahead — this one plans 752 units

By Kehaulani Cerizo
July 12, 2022, 6:00 AM HST
* Updated July 25, 8:20 AM
Play
Listen to this Article
3 minutes
Loading Audio... Article will play after ad...
Playing in :00
A
A
A

The proposed site for 752-unit Waiehu Residential Community is on the right and the proposed site for 120-unit Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua Affordable Housing Community is on the left of Kahekili Highway when facing west. PC: Kehaulani Cerizo
The proposed Waiehu Residential Community site is shown in purple. PC: Project final environmental assessment screenshot

Another affordable housing project is advancing in Waiehu, and this time the developer is pitching 752 units in a proposal called Waiehu Residential Community.  

The 100% affordable housing project by California-based Genova Construction Development would build single- and multi-family units, retail space and parks on roughly 160 acres of overgrown macadamia nut fields mauka of Kahekili Highway near Waiehu Beach Road.  

The project is separate but adjacent to Maui Economic Opportunity Inc.’s Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua Affordable Housing Community, which is planning 120 affordable units on less than 12 acres of vacant land makai of Kahekili Highway near Waiehu Beach Road.  

Waiehu Residential Community cleared a significant hurdle recently when the project received a Finding of No Significant Impact, according to “The Environmental Notice” published Friday by the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.  

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

This means that state law requiring environmental study was met by the project’s environmental assessment, and a deeper governmental review won’t be needed. The decision can be challenged within 30 days of Friday. 

However, Waiehu Residential Community still has a list of key approvals and permits needed — including the county’s fast-track affordable housing process that requires Maui County Council approval and a State Land Use District Boundary Amendment that needs state Land Use Commission approval — in order to break ground. 

If all goes according to plan, the project would be completed in phases, starting in 2024 and ending in 2032, the final environmental assessment said. Estimated development cost was not included. 

Waiehu Residential Community’s proposed 752 homes would comprise 184 multifamily units and 568 single-family dwellings. Also, 17,400 square feet in retail space and about six acres of parks would be built. 

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

While the study didn’t disclose income or price ranges for the homes, it said that all units in the proposed community are for sale at prices determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development annual price guidelines.  

Waiehu Residential Community would be developed on about 158 acres of a larger 238-acre parcel. The property is bounded by Free Church of Tonga vacant land and Ocean View Estates residential subdivision to the north; Kahekili Highway to the east; Wailuku Country Estates ag subdivision to the south; and Malaihili Road rural residential lands and Wahi Hoomalu Limited Partnership land to the west.  

Historically, the parcel has been used for sugar cane. Since the 1980s, macadamia nuts have been in cultivation there.  

Owners Pennsylvania-based Southwest 7 LLC in the study said that active farming hasn’t occurred in more than a decade, and the project will help alleviate Maui’s affordable housing crisis.  

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

The project site envelopes five smaller parcels that are not owned by the applicant and not part of the proposed project, according to the final environmental assessment. It added that the applicant and the consultant have talked with property owners there. 

“The applicant will ensure that vehicular access to the property is maintained and that access to the water is not impacted,” the study said.  

Other concerns, such as traffic congestion, water resources and flooding issues, were addressed by the project consultant in the final environmental assessment. 

Through the fast-track affordable housing process, the applicant is requesting exemption from a Maui County Community Plan Amendment, a change in zoning and compliance with the Maui Island Plan urban growth boundary. 

The project triggers an environmental review under state law due to its proposed amendment of the Wailuku-Kahului Community Plan from agricultural to urban use and offsite infrastructure work affecting state and county rights-of-way along Kahekili Highway. 

To view the Waiehu Residential Community final environmental assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact determination, visit “The Environmental Notice.”

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

Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel
IT Support Specialist | $2,000 Sign On Bonus
West Maui · 2 weeks ago
Hale Makua
Nurse Supervisor (Neighborhood Supervisor) - $2,000 Sign On Bonus
Central Maui · 3 weeks ago

Valley Isle Home Care
Care Team Member
Central Maui · 2 weeks ago
Andaz Beach Crew Maui
Beach Attendant and Ocean Sports
South Maui · 3 days ago
Looking for locally based talent?
Post a Job Listing

Sponsored Content

Subscribe to our Newsletter

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

Related Articles

  • Kuʻikahi Village's plans for 202 workforce homes in…
    May 24, 2022
  • Panel pulls requirement for N. Kīhei affordable…
    April 27, 2022
  • 100% Affordable Housing Project Proposed on 11 Acres…
    September 30, 2021
  • One Maui Family, One Cross-County Road Trip, One…
    January 10, 2021
  • 84 new senior affordable rental units at Kahului…
    March 4, 2022
  • Pulelehua developer to prioritize affordable units…
    October 15, 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
View All Events: List Circle List Map
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
Add Post an Event More Events Chevron Forward
Trending Now
1State Takes Control Of Vessel Grounded In Lahaina Maui Near Hauola Stone 2Maui Just Got Sweeter With New Momona Bakery And Coffee Shop In Kahului 310 New Officers Joined The Ranks Of The Maui Police Department 4Maui Brewers Festival Fundraiser Set To Return After 3 Year Absence 5Hawaiʻi Department Of Health Issues Red Placard To Restaurant In Paia 6Made In Hawaiʻi Branding Workshop March 29 At Hawaiʻi Convention Center
Arrow UpBack 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 © 2023. Pacific Media Group.
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | About Our Ads

Facebook YouTube Twitter Instagram