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Votes at a glance: Commission approves housing plan, water subsidy, permits and property actions; defers Puʻukapu commencement
Summary
At its March 17 meeting in Kamuela, the Hawaiian Homes Commission approved the 2025–26 NAHASDA plan, a temporary water subsidy for Kailapa lessees, several land management dispositions and a North Kona wells FONSI; it deferred action on Puʻukapu lease commencement.
The Hawaiian Homes Commission took a series of formal votes during its March 17, 2025 meeting in Kamuela. Below is a concise record of the principal motions, outcomes and key details.
Votes at a glance
- C1 — Accept 2025–26 Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant annual plan: Approved (voice vote). Staff to submit the plan to HUD and to provide follow‑up reporting and expanded kupuna outreach. (See related article on the annual plan.)
- G1 — Temporary water bill subsidy for Kailapa homestead lessees: Approved. Commission waived the bimonthly base meter fee for residential lessees and directed staff to stabilize tiers 1–2 usage rates while pursuing cost‑of‑service studies and rule updates. (See related article on Kailapa subsidy.)
- D12 — Approval to amend lease commencement date for Puʻukapu pastoral lots (1990 awards): Deferred. Commission directed DHHL to conduct beneficiary consultations and coordinate with county departments on road maintenance, addressing and firefighting/resilience measures before returning with a plan.
- F1 — Amend Land Management Division FY2025 budget to acquire 787 Eisenberg Street (Oʻahu): Approved. Commission authorized the budget amendment so DHHL may complete acquisition and plan for development/leasing options.
- F2 — Issue revocable permit to Apollo Corporation for Lot 3, Chapter Flats industrial subdivision (Moanalua, Oʻahu): Approved.
- F3 — Issue right‑of‑entry permit to Kula No Na Poʻe Hawaiʻi for Puʻawaina (Papakōlea, Oʻahu) — Kupuna supportive living project: Approved; applicant presented project background and commissioners voted in favor.
- F4 — Issue three revocable permits in Shafter Factory Industrial Subdivision (Oʻahu) to CenterScale Automation, HBR Builders Corp., and Marihi LLC dba Hawaii State Construction: Approved; staff noted they are subleases under an existing lessee and recommended retention under current rent terms.
- G2 — Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for North Kona Wells Project (Kiaunalua/Wai‘a property, North Kona, Island of Hawaiʻi): Approved. Staff will proceed with property acquisition (scheduled to close in June) and next steps for test well and design work.
- H1 — Transfer of Hawaiian Home Receipts Fund balance to Hawaiian Home General Loan Fund (routine quarterly transfer): Approved.
Context and procedural notes: Several of the votes were unanimous voice votes; commissioners present earlier in the meeting established a quorum of six. The Puʻukapu item generated extended public testimony and substantive discussion; commissioners deferred the item to allow a structured beneficiary consultation and for staff to provide a concrete plan addressing short‑term safety fixes and funding options.
Where to get more information: Staff indicated they will circulate minutes, revised submittals (where applicable) and implementation timelines. DHHL also scheduled a community meeting this evening at the Kailapa Community Association Center (61‑4016 Kaiʻōpai Place) to discuss Kailapa water matters.
