Home ownership for 51 Native Hawaiian families is getting closer to becoming a reality on Kauai, with construction of infrastructure on the second phase of the Pi‘ilani Mai Ke Kai subdivision in Anahola slated to begin in November.

State and Kauai County officials announced the schedule at a ceremonial groundbreaking event Wednesday at the site of the subdivision being developed by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

"Today’s ceremony reminds us of the commitment we’ve made to the native people of this aina, a commitment to work toward the betterment of the Native Hawaiian people," Gov. Neil Abercrombie said in a written statement.

Others attending the event included Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho and DHHL Director Jobie Masagatani.

The subdivision will occupy 14 acres of former sugarcane land on the northeastern side of Kauai.

DHHL awarded leases for 10,000-square-foot lots in the planned subdivision in April 2006.

Infrastructure construction is projected to be completed by July 2013, after which home construction can proceed.

The infrastructure work is costing $4.7 million, and includes grading, roads, drainage and utilities.

DHHL and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are funding much of the work. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Agency awarded a grant to nonprofit organization Na Kupa‘a O Kuhio for work on a potable water system. Telecommunications infrastructure is being financed by Sandwich Isles Communications Inc.

Carvalho called the start of infrastructure work a significant milestone in making Kauai more vibrant. "I am proud to see the Anahola Hawaiian homestead community growing and thriving," he said in a statement.

Pi‘ilani Mai Ke Kai is ultimately planned for 172 homes on 71 acres. A first phase with 26 homes and 10 vacant lots was launched in 2009, offering four models of homes ranging from a three-bedroom, two-bath model with 1,056 square feet of living space for $201,000 to a four-bedroom, two-bath model with 1,539 square feet for $260,000.

DHHL envisions developing the subdivision in three phases, and awards homestead leases often years in advance of home construction to give lessees time to qualify for a mortgage. Presently, four homes in the first phase are under construction.