The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has issued a final notice and public explanation for a proposed project in Waimānalo focused on housing development and environmental considerations. Funded through the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program and other sources, the project proposes renovations to existing homes and construction of new housing on Hawaiian Homestead lands to serve Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.
On the island of Oʻahu, the proposed plans include rehabilitation, demolition and reconstruction, infrastructure upgrades, and new construction. DHHL identified multiple tax map parcels for the project, some of which are located within a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and adjacent wetland areas. These locations were identified through analysis using preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map updates and data from the National Wetlands Inventory, according to the DHHL.
The project focuses on renewing aging homes and infrastructure and is designed to proceed on a lot-by-lot basis to address health, safety, and infrastructure needs. Proposed activities on parcels located within the FFRMS floodplain or wetland areas will undergo site-specific review to ensure compliance with applicable environmental requirements under Executive Orders and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations.
DHHL evaluated potential alternatives, including developing housing at other locations, which the department said may not meet current housing needs, and a no-action alternative, which it said would likely allow existing housing conditions to continue. According to DHHL’s assessment, no other practical alternatives were identified for meeting beneficiary needs while complying with environmental requirements. The evaluation also includes measures intended to minimize potential impacts and to maintain or restore floodplain and wetland functions.
The public has been invited to submit comments on the proposed development as part of the review process related to floodplain and wetland management. DHHL stated that public input is intended to support transparency in government actions affecting these areas. Comments will be accepted through Jan. 3, 2026, and may be submitted to Malia Cox, a NAHASDA compliance specialist with DHHL, or by email as outlined in the public notice.
