New low-income housing project planned for Hilo

Construction of a 64-unit low-income housing development in Hilo is expected to begin early next year.

An environmental assessment for a proposed housing development near the intersection Kukuau Street and Kapiolani Avenue found that the project will have no significant environmental impacts, with construction anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2022 and continue through the end of 2023.

The development, proposed by a California-based company called A0705 Hilo, L.P., is aimed at households earning 60% or less of the area’s median income.

The complex — called the Kaiaulu O Kapiolani Housing Development — will include nine residential buildings containing a total of 32 two-bedroom units, 24 three-bedroom units, and eight four-bedroom units, as well as a community center and at least 80 parking stalls.

The cost of the project is estimated at $46.4 million. It has been awarded tax-exempt bonds and tax credits from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, and Hawaii County may grant approximately $1.5 million in support of the development.

Grant Bigley, a representative of A0705 Hilo, said the company expects to put the project out to bid soon and hopes to close a deal with a contractor and secure any remaining permits by the end of the year.

Groundbreaking should take place early next year, with construction taking anywhere from one to 1½ years, he said.

With the project’s environmental assessment completed, the project is now subject to a 30-day public review and comment period. The assessment can be viewed at tinyurl.com/5c6j337t, and comments can be sent to julie-ann.cachola@hawaii.gov.

Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.