However, the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawai'i, which manages the apartments in Wai'anae, has said the demolition is necessary because the original builders used an inferior exterior material that's no longer available. It says it would be less expensive to tear the place down and build a new facility.

Hansen, who says he has designed a number of Honolulu high-rise buildings, said his organization could raise the necessary money to completely renovate the complex for families who otherwise wouldn't have a place to live.

Once the complex was rebuilt, it would be maintained by the "sweat equity" of the apartment dwellers, who would eventually own their properties.

Hansen contends the state only has plans to demolish.

"HCDCH has absolutely no plan for that site after Uluwehi has been torn down," said Hansen. "They're going ahead full speed with the demolition — throttle to the ground. "

Stephanie Aveiro, executive director of HCDCH, said her agency has asked the Legislature for $1.8 million to build "some kind of transitional and affordable housing" on the Uluwehi Apartments site.

"This is on such a fast track as far as getting it demolished and getting something in there in its place that will address the homeless problems that area is experiencing," Aveiro said. "We're very interested in working with the community."

Aveiro conceded that the site plans are "very preliminary." But she said the fact that HCDCH has asked lawmakers for money to fund the capital improvement project indicates its sincerity.

Uluwehi Apartments were part of a 53-acre model community development built in 1974 on ceded lands. The project's more than 350 privately owned homes will remain and are not affected by plans to tear down Uluwehi Apartments.

Barbara Badayos, one of 13 residents still living in four units at the 60-unit apartment complex last month, said she had received an eviction notice to be out of her place by the end of February.

"I just told them I'd be moving out of here as soon as possible," said Badayos, 63, who has raised her family at Uluwehi Apartments and has lived there for three decades. "That will probably be within the next couple of weeks."

Badayos, who paid a fixed $300 a month for her two-bedroom apartment, said she can't find a comparably priced dwelling and faces homelessness. She qualifies for housing assistance, but that only means she would be placed on a waiting list until housing becomes available.

Badayos said one of her children has told her she can live with the family. But she said that's only a temporary solution.

Meanwhile, Hansen insists time is running out. The state plans to begin demolition in June.

"We have to get to see the governor somehow to straighten this out and get past the bureaucracy," he said.

"If they tear it down, Habitat for Humanity can't go in and rebuild a whole 60-unit complex. We do one home at a time. But we can go in and rebuild homes already in place."