Posted on: Sunday, October 3, 2004

47-unit rental apartment planned for elderly

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A nonprofit group is moving ahead with plans to develop its sixth affordable rental apartment building for elderly O'ahu residents.

The Hawai'i Housing Development Corp. is proposing the 47-unit Pi'ikoi Vista, an eight-story building planned on a 10,809-square-foot lot on Kina'u Street. The $8.5-million project would be adjacent to another HHDC project, the 62-unit Kina'u Vista, which should be ready for occupancy early next year.

An environmental assessment is being prepared for Pi'ikoi Vista and the deadline to submit comments is Oct. 23. Keith Kurahashi, with the consulting firm Kusao and Kurahashi Inc., said if all goes as planned construction could begin in the middle of 2005 and the units ready for occupancy by early 2006.

Plans call for 47 one-bedroom units that will be available to people at least 62 years old whose incomes are at or below 50 percent to 60 percent of the area median income. The amenities will include a multi-purpose room, laundry facilities, 20 parking stalls, and 2,500-square-feet of open space, which will include a "victory garden" for the residents.

Pi'ikoi Vista will be the HHDC's smallest project, but will help to alleviate the huge shortage of affordable senior housing.

"There's a strong demand," Kurahashi said. "They usually have 300 to 400 people trying for 50 to 60 units. So it ends up being a lottery system."

Since HHDC was formed in 1999, the agency has developed or is in the process of building eight affordable or elderly housing projects.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.