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Kauai residents warn DHHL/HUD plan may force essential workers off-island if relocation not revised
Summary
Residents of Courtenay’s at Waipoli told the commission they have not been shown a relocation plan that keeps households on Kauai and urged DHHL and consultants handling a HUD‑backed acquisition to provide island‑specific comparable housing options before the May closing date.
A testifier speaking on behalf of residents at Courtenay’s at Waipoli said the HUD‑related relocation plan produced by consultant InterWest Group did not include comparable on‑island replacement units and that residents received a response saying the plan would not be revised despite community feedback.
The speaker said the acquisition has a May 7 closing deadline and that residents — including health‑care workers whose jobs require them to live near Wilcox Hospital — would be forced off island if no suitable on‑Kauai housing is provided. The testifier and supporting Kauai County council members told the commission that they had asked InterWest Group to update the plan to include island‑appropriate comparables, but InterWest replied that it would not change the draft despite resident input.
Council members and the speaker said the lack of on‑island comparables poses risks to the local workforce and services, naming a nurse who plays a key role at Wilcox Hospital as an example of someone who could be forced to leave the island. HUD said it was conducting a preliminary review of InterWest’s plan, according to testimony, but residents and local officials asked the commission to seek an immediate update from DHHL, InterWest and HUD to ensure relocation options preserve essential workers’ ability to stay on Kauai.
Commissioners and staff said they would seek updates from HUD and InterWest and that they expect relocation plans tied to an acquisition to conform to the Uniform Relocation Assistance rules and to DHHL approvals. The commission did not take formal action during the public‑comment portion but indicated it would follow up with staff and HUD contacts.
