HANAPEPE — Kauai Habitat for Humanity announced this week that it has purchased 6.5 acres of land in Waimea adjacent to the West Kauai Tech and Visitors Center from the Kikiaola Land Company for the development of affordable housing.
David Bieker, Kauai Habitat development coordinator, said it will be some time before the land is ready for home construction because Kauai Habitat will start the process of subdivision development with the newly-acquired parcel. Purchase price of the Waimea parcel was not available.
“I am thrilled that Kauai Habitat had the opportunity and resources to bring another much-needed affordable housing development to the community,” said Peter Wiederoder, Kauai Habitat board president.
The Kauai Habitat board of directors and leadership team are reviewing feasible options on the Waimea parcel and will start the design process soon.
“This land is the next great opportunity for Kauai Habitat to address our overwhelming housing need on Kauai,” said Stephen Spears, the Kauai Habitat executive director. “Due to previous opportunities, our developments have largely been on the Westside. However, we want to add as many additional projects as we are able to, islandwide with Waimea being the first of many.”
He said the Eleele Iluna project is going well, and in a short amount of time, they will need more building lots to be able to continue our mission. Habitat continues to seek additional land in areas such as the Eastside, Lihue, and the South Shore to build more affordable homes for the community.
Jim Beaver, Kikiaola Land Company secretary to the board, said they are proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity to provide affordable housing for the residents of West Kauai.
“Affordable housing is a critical need in our communities,” Beaver said. “This is a significant effort to improve the situation, but there is still a way to go. West Kauai still needs more affordable housing as well as economic development, employment, and other improvements.”
During its 130 years of land stewardship, the family of H.P. Faye’ has been actively involved in West Kauai Community development. Kikiaola provided the land for the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, the Waimea Canyon Middle School, the Kauai sewage treatment plant, and other community facilities. The firm also hosts the annual Waimea Town Celebration.
