Hawaiian housing finally ready for renters
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
WAIMANALO — Six months after the blessing of a $11.5 million kupuna rental complex on Hawaiian Home Lands, 80 percent of the units remain unoccupied. But owners finally have resolved paperwork issues, and elderly Hawaiians should be moving in soon.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
Four renters are expected in September, and applications are being taken by the apartment manager for both market-priced and affordable units at Kulanakauhale Maluhia o Na Kupuna in Waimanalo.
Waimanalo resident Tammy Skeen peeks into one of the empty units at Kulanakauhale Maluhia O Na Kupuna. She's thinks it might be a good place to move her father, who lives downtown. Applications are being taken for the apartments, whose rent is based on income.
Most of the 85 units remain empty in the affordable housing complex, six months after it was blessed, as owners resolved tax matters. Thirty applicants are still waiting to have their applications approved, leaving 34 units potentially available.
Ironing out language about tax credits for financial supporters delayed the process, said Marvin Awaya of Pacific Housing Assistance Corp, the project developer. Papers have been signed, and approved renters can now move in.
Seventeen of the 85 units are rented, four more have approvals and 30 are on a wait list, leaving 34 units unspoken for, he said.
Francis Apoliona of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands said the delay caused concern. "A lot of people are getting anxious," he said. "It's going to hurt people who cannot just wait around."
Apoliona said DHHL had forwarded applications to the management company, but many people might not be able to wait for an apartment.
The pilot project is the result of a partnership between government and financial institutions. Tax credits were given to organizations financing the project, which helped reduce rent.
"Without the tax credit, there was no way to bring down the cost so these kupuna could afford it," Apoliona said.
To qualify for the apartments, renters must be 62 or older and have 50 percent Hawaiian blood. Rents will be based on income. Some of the units are being set aside for the homeless, Awaya said.
Property manager Jody Sakai said some people on the wait list would have to be reprocessed, since their verifications had expired. But she did not expect that to take long.
Anyone wishing to apply should call the resident manager, Constance Rohas, at 426-1400.
