DHHL Builds "Green" Communities
Continuing the Lingle-Aiona Administration's commitment to provide affordable housing opportunities for native Hawaiians and to build communities to benefit the entire state, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) recently awarded an additional 11 turnkey homes and five vacant lots in the 172-unit Pi`ilani Mai Ke Kai residential subdivision in Anahola, Kaua`i.
First selectee, John K. Lopes, Jr., selects a lot on behalf of his son, John K. Lopes, III.
All homes will come equipped with solar water heating systems, low-flow plumbing fixtures, energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, Energy Star appliances, and double E-rated windows and sliding doors for added insulation.
"Our Hawaiian Homes Commission just adopted an energy policy that recognizes the importance of energy-efficiency and using renewable/clean energy, as well as respecting our environment," said Micah Kane, chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission. "Moving away from imported foreign oil and increasing Hawai`i's energy independence is the priority focus of the Lingle-Aiona Administration's Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative. Providing our beneficiaries with energy-efficient homes will reduce the cost of living and make this project not only affordable to own, but more affordable to live in too."
In January 2009, the first increment of 36 lots were awarded, and consisted of 26 turnkey homes and 10 vacant lots, which are currently under construction.
The project is being developed in three phases under the department's Undivided Interest Awards program which provides a homestead lease without the need to financially qualify for a mortgage until the homes are ready for construction, usually in two to three years. That time is used by the lessees to financially qualify for a mortgage and by the department to build the infrastructure for the subdivision.
"This project provides affordable homes at a time when housing is out of reach for so many of Hawai`i's people," said Kane. "Almost three years ago, we awarded these Undivided Interest homestead leases with the promise to build homes here. We also asked the people who took these leases to take this time to financially prepare to qualify for a mortgage. We have fulfilled our promise and many who took the Undivided Interest lease have fulfilled their promise to get ready. Today, they are selecting their future home and that's exciting not just for these families, but for the entire community."
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Visit the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands website.
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Learn about the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative.
