Native Hawaiian beneficiaries who have lost hope of attaining homestead land after decades of waiting might soon get a chance through a new project.
The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands initiated the Kauhale pilot project, which will give beneficiaries on Hawaii island, primarily those who have been on the waiting list for 40 years or more, a chance to design and move into a home by the end of next year.
HOMESTEAD MEETINGS
The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will hold community meetings on Hawaii island this week to discuss a new homestead initiative with beneficiaries, primarily those who have been on the waiting list for homestead land for 40 years or more. Both meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m.
>> Wednesday: Hawaiian Home Lands Kuhio Hale, 64-756 Mamalahoa Highway, Waimea
>> Thursday: Keaukaha Elementary School Cafeteria, 240 Desha Ave., Hilo |
"We expect families to move in in 2012," said Hawaiian Home Lands Chairman Alapaki Nahale-a. Several possible locations are available in Waimea and Hilo. One or two lots will be selected for the pilot project.
One of the concepts the department envisions is an affordable, multigenerational family complex design on each lot. "It’s a traditional concept brought to modern-day society," Nahale-a said. "This really, for us, is using a cultural solution, making living more affordable."
Nahale-a said if the department finds that 50 homesteaders are interested in the concept during the pilot project, the department will develop ways to replicate the design on a large scale to accommodate them. Officials hope to launch the concept statewide.
"We’re doing this to serve our beneficiaries. We believe it’s going to meet our needs," he said.
Two meetings will be held on Hawaii island this week to allow officials to obtain comments from beneficiaries. Nahale-a said the agency is reaching out to the top 100 applicants on Hawaii island, where some have been on the waiting list for four or five decades.
Some have previously declined homeownership opportunities for reasons such as financial challenges or lot locations.
"We feel that those families have lost hope," Nahale-a said. "We want to give them a sense of hope based on real opportunities."
The project is in its early stages. Officials hope to get comments from beneficiaries on the design of the home.
"We want them to be hands-on," Nahale-a said. The architectural firm homesteaders will have a chance to work with will be announced shortly.
As of Nov. 30, Hawaii island had 5,619 residential applicants on the waiting list, second to Oahu’s 9,510 applicants.
