Published on May 31, 2023
‘ELE‘ELE – The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency and its development partner Āhē Group held a blessing ceremony on Tuesday to commence the new construction of Lima Ola’s affordable housing subdivision in ‘Ele‘ele.
A total of 85 affordable apartments will be built to serve the needs of working families and seniors – 45 multi-family units and 40 senior housing units. It will serve a range of incomes with units from 30% of the Area Gross Media Income (AGMI) and up to 80% AGMI.
“Just a few weeks ago, we were out here commemorating the start of construction for our supportive housing portion of Lima Ola. And here we are again, about to begin construction for 85 additional housing units,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami in a statement as he was unable to attend the ceremony in person. “We continue to add to our housing inventory through the hard work of many. Mahalo to our Housing Agency staff, the Āhē Group, our congressional partners, Kaua‘i County Council and state legislators, our Hanapēpē-‘Ele‘ele community, and everyone who had a hand in getting Lima Ola – which encompasses many phases of housing development – off the ground.”
The 45-unit multi-family project will consist of 36 two-bedroom units, five one-bedroom units, and four three-bedroom units. The 40-unit senior project will be one-bedroom units. The project will also include three community gardens, exercise equipment dispersed through common areas, laundry facilities, and easy access to the Kaua‘i Bus.
Tuesday’s blessing was officiated by Kahu Sean Chun, and attended by about 40 individuals, including Governor Josh Green’s Kaua‘i Liaison Dana Hazelton, members of the Kaua‘i County Council, Managing Director Michael Dahilig, and Mia Ako on behalf of Rep. Jill Tokuda.
Construction of the $50.3 million housing project is made possible by a combination of federal housing funds, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, congressional earmarks, and private activity bond.
The project is estimated to complete in late 2024.
“Long-term planning has brought this project to reality. This blessing is the beginning of another successful project and we hope to provide many more affordable units for Kaua‘i,” said Makani Maeva, President and CEO of the Āhē Group who is spearheading the construction and operating the project under a long-term ground lease agreement.
Above photo from left to right: Mia Ako, on behalf of Rep. Jill Tokuda; Gary Mackler, Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board Vice Chair (Kaua‘i); County of Kaua‘i Managing Director Michael Dahilig; Kaua‘i County Council Vice Chair KipuKai Kuali‘i; Kaua‘i County Housing Agency Director Adam Roversi; Makani Maeva, President and CEO of the Āhē Group; Governor Josh Green’s Kaua‘i Liaison Dana Hazelton; and Jason Thon, President of Unlimited Construction Services, Inc.
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