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Committee forwards Kaiolu Kapiolani affordable-housing time-extension to full council with favorable recommendation
Summary
The committee voted 8–0 to forward Bill 88 — a request to extend construction deadlines for a 64‑unit, 100% affordable rental project near the Hilo Police Station — after planning staff and the applicant described funding delays and completed site work steps including drainage reporting.
The Committee of Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions voted Thursday to forward Bill 88 to the full Hawaii County Council with a favorable recommendation after the Planning Department and the project applicant outlined reasons for a requested construction deadline extension.
Bill 88 would amend a change‑of‑zone ordinance affecting a 5.05‑acre site at 350 Kapiolani Street in South Hilo to allow a multi‑family residential development. The applicant requested a five‑year extension to its construction completion condition — proposing a new deadline of March 2031 — because of delays in securing state and federal tax credits and federal tax‑exempt bond financing. The committee voted 8–0 to forward the bill with a favorable recommendation; Councilmember Ashley Kirkwitz was excused.
Planning Director Jeff Darrow said the applicant had sought $40,720,000 in state and federal tax credits and $38,330,000 in federal tax‑exempt bond financing from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; an award decision originally expected in August was delayed into October. Darrow described the proposed development as a 64‑unit, 100% affordable rental project: 63 income‑restricted units at 30–60% of area median income and one unrestricted managerunit. The approved site plan includes 28 two‑bedroom, 29 three‑bedroom and seven four‑bedroom units across nine two‑story buildings, plus a community center, play area, two laundry facilities, two community gardens and 117 parking stalls, including five accessible stalls.
The applicant representative, Mr. Bigley, told the committee the drainage report has been completed and that plan approval was issued previously. Bigley said civil engineers and hydrology studies informed adjustments to building placement and circulation, and that the project team has the remaining approvals up to the building‑permit stage. “Wehave done extensive work, multiple civil engineers, hydrology reports...the drainage will not be an issue,” Bigley said. Director Darrow confirmed the Windward Planning Commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation.
A motion by Councilmember Kaguata, seconded by Councilmember Galimba, to forward Bill 88 to council with a favorable recommendation passed unanimously.
