A group of 15 condominiums is being proposed for a small parcel of land above 'Aina Haina Elementary School.

The developer, L&K Investments LLC, wants to build the condominiums within a rocky 3.3-acre slope sandwiched between 'Aina Haina and lower Wai'alae Iki to minimize the visual impact for neighbors.

The developer will make a presentation on the cluster project, called Wailupe Mauka, on Thursday to the Kuli'ou'ou /Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board. The city is accepting comments on the proposal, and city officials will decide by Oct. 9 whether to issue a permit that will clear the way for construction, said Anthony Chang, of the Department of Planning and Permitting.

The developer is planning to build two three-story buildings above a partial basement parking level. Each of the structures will house six units and have access off Kiai Place. The proposal also calls for construction of three townhomes with access from Keikilani Circle. The homes will be terraced and include a recreation building. A series of retaining walls will be built around the development.

Phone calls to the developer by The Advertiser were not returned.

Some area residents are concerned that Wailupe Mauka would bring more cars to the neighborhood's narrow streets. Another concern is the history of rockfalls in 'Aina Haina valley.

Jeannine Johnson, a member of the Kuli'ou'ou\Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board, says development on the slope would be a bad idea.

"I am opposed to any development that would scar the mountain like that Hawai'i Kai project (Le'olani) did," Johnson said. "This would be the same."

Le'olani, a housing development, was built on land abutting some farms that was rezoned by the City Council.

With the clay-like soil that predominates the 'Aina Haina valley and a history of the city paying out millions of dollars to residents to buy homes that had slipped off their foundations, Johnson said she fears that the same could happen with this development.

Jason Yuen, an area resident for 35 years, said the proposed use of existing roads for access will likely draw many neighbors to next week's meeting. The area where the developer plans to build is surrounded by single-family homes, he said, and residents worry that the cluster won't blend into the neighborhood.

"I don't think all of 'Aina Haina would want to see an apartment complex," Yuen said. "We were shocked when we learned about these plans."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.