HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-25GroundbreakingheldforLimaOla
THE COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: November 25, 2020
HOUSING AGENCY
ADAM ROVERSI, DIRECTOR
Tel (808) 241-4444
Fax (808) 241-5118
Groundbreaking held for Lima Ola affordable housing project on Tuesday
‘ELE‘ELE – The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency held a groundbreaking ceremony for the
Lima Ola affordable housing project in ‘Ele‘ele on Tuesday.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank the many partners and the prior administrations
involved in this very important project for our island,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “Lima
Ola started with a vision by the late Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste, and developed through the
leadership of former Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. We would not be here today without the
relationships built during those years, along with the many community members who
participated in the planning and permitting stages. We need affordable housing now more than
ever. That’s why I’m humbled to be part of this team who will now take this project through to
the finish line.”
Tuesday’s ceremony commemorated the start of the first phase of the housing project
which will entail the mass grading of the 75-acre site, installing utilities and infrastructure, and
upgrading and installing the traffic light at Kaumuali‘i Highway. When complete, Lima Ola phase
one will consist of 150 homes. The total project, spanning four phases, will result in 550 new
multi-family and single-family affordable housing units.
Earthworks Pacific Inc. is the contractor for Lima Ola phase one which is anticipated to
complete by 2022.
“Mahalo to the Housing Agency staff, Alexander and Baldwin, Kaua‘i Coffee, and the
west side community for your continued commitment to creating affordable housing
opportunities for our local families,” said Housing Director Adam Roversi. “This is the single
largest affordable housing project that the county has ever undertaken and it is only made
possible by the hard work and cooperation of numerous county and state partners.”
The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency worked with the Hawai‘i Housing Finance
Development Corporation and Hawai‘i Senate President Ron Kouchi’s office to secure a $13
million Dwelling Unit Revolving Loan Fund for Lima Ola. The total cost of Lima Ola phase one
amounts to $15.6 million, with the remaining budget appropriated from the County of Kaua‘i CIP
Bond Fund.
Lima Ola will incorporate solar, gas and various energy cost-cutting strategies, making it
the county’s first green affordable housing project. The project will also provide a “built
environment” that promotes healthier lifestyles and sustainable living by creating connections to
surrounding neighborhoods and bringing greater economic vitality, civic energy and
strengthening the area’s sense of community. This includes a community center and park, multi-
use paths that will provide pedestrian and cycling options for transportation and exercise, a new
and improved bus stop accessible by the multi-use path, and highway improvements to
enhance pedestrian safety and access to school and businesses.
For more information on the project, contact the Kaua‘i County Housing Agency at 241-
4444.
The above photos were taken at the Kaua‘i County Housing Agency’s small groundbreaking
ceremony on Tuesday for the Lima Ola affordable housing project in ‘Ele‘ele.
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