A groundbreaking was held this week to mark the beginning of the construction of Kolopua, a workforce-housing complex in Princeville.
The project will add 44 units to the island’s inventory with 16 one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom rental apartments ranging from 745 to 1,128 square feet. Located just up the road from Princeville Center, Kolopua is expected to be completed by April 2015.
“We are very happy that some of our working people will soon have an affordable place to live in on the North Shore that’s close to where they work. This will allow them to live, work and play in one location,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. “It’s also exciting that this project will remain affordable in perpetuity so future generations will benefit from it as well.”
Occupancy is restricted to households at or below 60 percent of the Kauai median household income — one person, $38,160 and two people, $43,620.
Rents will not exceed the 60-percent affordable rent guidelines established annually by the HUD limits.
Vitus Group Inc., a company that specializes in affordable housing projects in Hawaii and across the Mainland, is the developer of Kolopua and Rice Camp Senior Housing in Lihue.
“We are thrilled to start this long-awaited project and are blessed to partner with so many who recognize the importance of affordable housing for a strong Kauai,” said Makani Maeva, director of the Vitus Group’s Hawaii office.
Key partners that brought Kolopua to fruition include: the County Council; County Housing Agency; HUD; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. and the Planning Commission.
Some of the amenities that Kolopua residents will enjoy include: solar water heaters; Energy Star appliances; water saving plumbing fixtures and ceiling fans.
In addition, there will be a community center that can be used for a variety of activities and offices for a full-time management staff.
Rental applications for Kolopua will be accepted as the project nears completion, and a lottery will be held to determine who the charter residents will be. An announcement will be made when the dates are confirmed.
Other affordable housing projects on the drawing board include:
• Lima Ola in Eleele
• Habitat for Humanity’s Eleele Luna Phase 2
• Department of Hawaiian Home Land’s Piilani Mai Ke Kai in Anahola
