WAIPOULI — Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its latest project — Kauhale O Waipouli — on Wednesday, with the ceremony officiated by Kahu Ipo Kahaunaele Ferreira, herself a Habitat homeowner.
“We can start working from today,” said Milani Pimental, Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity executive director, who was joined by some of the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity board members, including president Doug Haigh and vice president Donna Rice.
Representatives from Earthworks, Esaki Surveying and Permanently Affordable Living Kaua‘i walked the 36,861-square-foot property bounded by other housing projects and Kuhio Highway, along with Jason Stolfer, the senior archaeologist and Kaua‘i island manager for Scientific Consultant Services.
“This is a miracle project,” said Larry Graff of PAL Kaua‘i. “Other people looked at it and passed.”
PAL Kaua‘i is a co-developer on the project, and has an option to build four units at below 115 percent of the average median income.
Kaua‘i Habitat purchased the two parcels of land and secured a Special Management Area permit from the County of Kaua‘i Planning Commission to develop 17, two-story housing units in eight duplexes and a single-family residence, the maximum allowed under the current R20 zoning.
“The duplex model is the most affordable type of home that Kaua‘i Habitat can provide due to building codes, building setbacks and other considerations,” states the Kaua‘i Habitat website. “These units will also provide the most comfortable living for families, and provide the parking of two spaces per unit inside the duplex building area, beneath each unit.”
Based on the current spacing and required setbacks, the proposed unit types include 12, three-bedroom, and five, two-bedroom units.
At least 13 of the 17 units will be sold at below 80 percent of Kaua‘i County annual median income, and the remaining four units will be sold below 115 percent of annual median income.
Haigh, retired from the County of Kaua‘i Department of Public Works, said this is the most rewarding part of his job — to help with the much-needed demand for housing in the Kapa‘a area.
Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity, celebrating its 30th year, has built 228 new homes and repaired 37 more with the help of 4,641 volunteers.
For more information, visit www.kauaihabitat.org.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
