DHHL revives long-stalled Leali'i home development

This Maui News article discusses the Department of Hawaiian Homelands' plans to resume development of 104 lots in West Maui, and also some problems with the project and DHHL's process, and objections raised by Na Kupuna O Maui.

The Maui News
Friday, July 02, 2004

DHHL revives long-stalled Leali'i home development

By VALERIE MONSON, Staff Writer

LAHAINA - A portion of the long-delayed Villages of Leali'i has been resurrected by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), which expects to award 104 lots at the end of the year with building to follow in early 2005.

"What a blessing!" cried Ezekiela "Zeke" Kalua when told of the news. "As a Native Hawaiian, I know there are so many people out there who are hurting. It's a blessing to hear that 104 families will be awarded lots."

But because many of those families might not be from West Maui, objections have been raised by Na Kupuna O Maui, a group of Native Hawaiian elders who want an agency other than DHHL to develop the project.

"We're not happy about it," said Patty Nishiyama. "We want this for the people of Lahaina, both Native Hawaiians and others who were born and raised here. Let DHHL do their homes at Mahinahina."

Lloyd Yonenaka, public information officer for DHHL, said two parcels of the Leali'i project are close to being transferred from the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii (HCDCH). The Lahaina lands were part of a larger package of state properties across Hawaii for which DHHL agreed to pay HCDCH $33 million over 15 years.

"We're moving to put people on the land and we can't move fast enough," said Yonenaka. "This offers us an opportunity to accelerate the process."

Once the lots next to the Lahaina Civic Center are awarded to the Native Hawaiians who are on the list of applicants who have asked for leases on Maui, building could begin immediately, said Yonenaka. Much of the infrastructure - streets, curbs, gutters and sewer lines - was completed a decade ago and needs only to be reinspected.

The deal between DHHL and HCDCH still must be approved by the Hawaiian Homes Commission later this month, but Yonenaka expects no problems. He said HCDCH adopted the proposal last month.

"We don't see that as an issue because we initiated it," said Yonenaka.

The agreement would include the 25-acre parcel that's almost ready for house building and a second parcel probably at least as big that still needs site work, said Yonenaka.

For more than 10 years, the Villages of Leali'i has been stalled by legal challenges from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs because the 1,200-acre project district, planned for a final build-out of 4,800 units, is on ceded lands.

Ceded lands are former government and crown lands appropriated by the Republic of Hawaii after the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1893. The land was "ceded" to the United States when the islands were annexed, but the annexation resolution specified that the proceeds from the lands "shall be used solely for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands for educational and other public purposes."

Both OHA and Native Hawaiian sovereignty advocates say that ceded lands should be restored to a Native Hawaiian sovereign entity. When the state housing agency proposed to sell the house lots in Villages of Leali'i, OHA objected to sale of any ceded lands.

HCDCH proceeded with development of the first phase, intended to be an affordable-housing project similar to Waiehu Terrace, which was developed by the agency in the 1980s. But OHA was able to block construction of houses over the ceded lands claim.

Ground was broken on the West Maui site in November 1992, and $30 million worth of infrastructure was put in place by the state. The series of villages was originally intended to include a variety of housing along with parks, a golf course, two elementary schools, a church/day care facility and a commercial town center.

The first parcel - known only as 1A at this point - will feature lots that range from 5,317 square feet to 11,261 square feet with an average size of 6,736. Under Hawaiian Homes, eligible Native Hawaiians will lease the land for $1 a year for 99 years and be responsible for building their own house.

Nishiyama said her group objects to DHHL getting involved because it "divides our people" on blood quantum. She also said too many other homesteaders live on their lots for just a couple of years, then sell to the highest bidder.

Yonenaka said lessees are permitted to sell their homes and transfer their leases, but only to those who qualify according to standard blood quanta. Descendants must be 25 percent Hawaiian and anyone else must be 50 percent.

Nishiyama said by not restricting the lots to people born and raised on the West Side, more outsiders move in and lifelong residents continue to suffer from the lack of available housing. She said another entity should be brought in to provide the housing and DHHL should focus on its lands at Mahinahina.

But Yonenaka said the 793 acres at Mahinahina are a long way from turnkey while the preliminary work already done at Leali'i makes it a natural.

"The reason Leali'i is so attractive is that we can go now," said Yonenaka.

Planning Director Mike Foley also welcomed the addition of the much-needed housing to the desperate West Maui market. Foley said the new subdivision would fit right in with Lahaina because traffic would enter and exit on a four-lane stretch of Honoapiilani Highway at a signalized intersection that's already in place.

Foley said the administration has been trying to work with developers to locate their projects near existing infrastructure (such as traffic signals) and services (such as fire protection), to reduce negative impacts on the community.

Kalua, who is executive director of the West Maui Taxpayers Association but was speaking on his own behalf, said he felt the 104 units would make a noticeable difference in the need for housing on the west side.

"I think it will," he said. "And it's about time."

Valerie Monson can be reached at vmonson@mauinews.com.

Copyright © 2003 The Maui News

Posted: Sat - July 3, 2004 at 04:12 PM

getBlogName(); > getCategoryName("C1295638618"); >

DHHL revives long-stalled Leali'i home development

> >