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Kapolei tenants seek time, direct leases after DHHL orders parcel cleared
Summary
Multiple Kapolei tenants and small-business owners told the Hawaiian Homes Commission they received 30-day vacate notices after subleasing through third parties and asked DHHL for relocation help, lease conversions or longer move-out windows as staff said the parcels must be cleaned for long-term leasing.
Several tenants who occupy industrial parcels in the Kapolei community base yard told the Hawaiian Homes Commission on March 17 that they received 30-day notices to vacate and urged the department to provide more time or offer direct leases.
Wayne Hirakawa said tenants received a notice giving them 30 days to leave their subleased site at Enterprise Street (TMK 1-9-001-013) despite on-time rent payments and environmental inspections. “We got 30 days to get out…There was no contact from DHHL to reach out and say, here we can help you find another place,” Hirakawa said, asking whether DHHL could roll subleases into direct leases.
Frank Hall, DHHL’s land-management administrator, explained the department’s rationale: the parcel is being cleared to allow a long-term lease bidding process and to require any future long-term lessee to be responsible for cleanup. Hall said DHHL is converting short-term month-to-month arrangements into long-term leases to support financing and improved site conditions, but staff will consider reasonable short extensions where appropriate and asked tenants to meet with land-management staff and identified Richard Hoke and Clay Young as onsite points of contact.
Other tenants described personal and business hardship. Ryan Aslava, who identified himself as a part-time member of the Hawaii Air National Guard, said the Kapolei site sustained his family after COVID job losses and asked for “a hand up” to continue operating. Perry Mason, who said he has passed every environmental inspection and employs many family members, said 30 days to relocate was unrealistic for his operations and requested additional moving time or a direct lease. Gary Mauser, owner of Revlimen Auto Center, recounted loss of power in 2025, a past shutdown and recent reinvestment; he asked DHHL to consider a direct lease that would accommodate an automotive repair facility’s infrastructure needs.
DHHL staff reiterated the department’s environmental and trust obligations and said the clearing is intended to allow long-term leasing and development that can support beneficiaries. Staff offered to meet tenants onsite to discuss potential relocations or the timing of cleanup and to explore whether tenants who are in good standing could be accommodated in future developments.
What happens next: DHHL staff asked affected tenants to meet with land-management representatives to discuss relocation, potential direct leases and timing for cleanup. Commissioners did not vote on tenant-specific relief at the March 17 meeting.
