NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
August 4, 2022
County of Hawaii
Office of Housing and Community Development
1990 Kinoole Street, Ste 102
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808) 961-8379
On or about August 15, 2022 the County of Hawaii’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of $685,000.00 of 2022 Community Development Block Grant program funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as Hamakua Youth Community Center Improvements for the purpose of converting the historic Okada Hospital to a Youth Community Center. The proposed project improvements include hazardous material abatement and foundation repairs, rehabilitation of all essential civil work and systems within the building (roof reinforcement or replacement, electrical, plumbing), and certified kitchen upgrades. The proposed project location is on 45-3400 Mamane Street, Honokaa, Hawaii. The total cost of this project is estimated at approximately $1.7 million.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at County of Hawaii’s Office of Housing and Community Development, 1990 Kinoole Street Ste. 102, Hilo Hawaii 96720 and
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building B, 2nd Floor, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 and may be examined or copied weekdays 7:45 A.M to 4:30 P.M. The ERR will also be posted online at https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the County of Hawaii, Office of Housing and Community Development, Grants Management Division or via email at ohcdcdbg@hawaiicounty.gov . All comments received by August 12, 2022 will be considered by the OHCD prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The OHCD certifies to HUD that Susan K. Kunz in her capacity as Housing Administrator consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Hamakua Youth Foundation to use the 2022 CDBG Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the OHCD’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the OHCD; (b) the OHCD has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by OHCD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be emailed to CPDHonolulu@hud.gov attention Mark A. Chandler, Director Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Honolulu Office. Potential objectors should contact HUD via the email address to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
County of Hawaii
Office of Housing and Community Development
By: Susan K. Kunz
