The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is moving forward with a proposed housing rehabilitation project located in Nānākuli and Princess Kahanu Estates, situated on the leeward coast of Oʻahu.
With funding through the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program (NAHASDA) under HUD grant 24HBGHI0001, the project aims to provide safe and secure housing for people of native Hawaiian ancestry.
This initiative has been announced on June 23, 2025, as part of compliance with Executive Orders 11988 and 13690, which govern floodplain management and wetlands protection.
Evaluations have revealed that portions of the proposed project area lie within the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) designated floodplain and mapped wetland regions.
The project scope includes the rehabilitation, demolition, and reconstruction of up to twenty percent of 1,375 residential buildings, as well as community function buildings in Nānākuli and Princess Kahanu Estates.
This effort aims to increase the beneficiary housing supply while preserving existing DHHL communities.
To adhere to floodplain and wetlands guidelines, a site-specific review will be conducted for activities in the FFRMS floodplain or wetlands.
The primary focus is the rehabilitation of existing single-family dwellings, allowing for a more immediate response to housing needs on a lot-by-lot basis.
However, if specific activities are proposed within the floodplain or wetlands, DHHL is committed to minimizing, avoiding, or mitigating potential impacts.
The need for safe, affordable housing is pressing, as many aging homes in the community are deteriorating and risk becoming uninhabitable.
An analysis of alternative strategies demonstrates that relocating housing development outside of flood-affected areas is not practicable, given Oʻahu’s existing housing shortage.
According to the Oʻahu Island Plan, 1,390 additional acres suitable for residential development are required to meet the demands of applicants on the residential waiting list.
DHHL is focused on maintaining and rehabilitating existing homes in older communities such as Nānākuli while pursuing infill construction.
The no-action alternative would exacerbate the deterioration of homes, leaving many families with unsafe living conditions.
This situation contradicts DHHL’s objectives as outlined in its long-term plans.
Ultimately, DHHL concludes that there are no practical alternatives that meet the fundamental goal of increasing housing supply while serving their community’s needs.
Public engagement is crucial in the context of this project.
The notice serves multiple purposes, including encouraging public input from those affected by potential flood zone or wetland activities, as well as educating the public about the significance of floodplain and wetland management.
It also aims to ensure fairness by informing residents of risks associated with the federal government’s involvement in flood-prone or wetland areas.
DHHL has made environmental files regarding compliance with the necessary Executive Orders available for public review upon request at specified times and locations.
This ensures transparency in the project’s environmental considerations and allows for community engagement in the decision-making process.
The announcement underscores the DHHL’s commitment to providing safe, secure housing for the native Hawaiian community while adhering to federal regulations concerning flood risk management and wetlands protection.
With many residents chronically facing housing insecurities, this project represents a significant step toward improving living conditions in Hawaiian Homestead communities.
image source from：dhhl
