Location of the two proposed subdivisions courtesy draft EA document.

HILO, Hawaii – The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is proposing to subdivide five 10-acre parcels in the Panaewa area of Hilo into approximately 80 half-acre lots for native Hawaiian beneficiaries who are on the wait list “and/or to existing lessees who need to relocate due to lava or other hazards.”

The Project will enable the relocation of Maku‘u Farm Lot lessees threatened by the lava flow, accommodate other lessees who may need to be relocated (e.g., Pu‘ukapu lessees with UXO issues), and/or awarded to new lessees on the wait list. – Draft EA Panaewa Agricultural Lots Subdivision

A draft environmental assessment has been posted online. DHHL estimates the total construction cost is $5 million, with County dedicated roads and water system. Federal Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act funds and possibly State funds will be used, the document states. Construction will commence by the start of next year and will take a year to complete.

The project will develop two different sections of Panaewa. The southern Mahiai Lot, nearest Highway 11 abutting Mahiai Street, will be subdivided into 16 approximately half-acre lots, a road lot, and a road reserve for a future connection.

Single parcel along Mahi′ai Street, courtesy draft EA. It is open land with a single home (DHHL says it has canceled the existing lease and will demolish the home.)

The four 10-acre Auwae Lots on the northern end (near the transfer station) will each be subdivided into 16 approximately half-acre lots and roadway lots.

From the draft EA. Mahiai Lot at the bottom of the map, Auwae Lots at the top.

The resulting subdivision of the Mahiai Lot and Auwae Lots will total 80 lots for homestead agricultural leases. For lessees relocating from another homestead lot, these lessees will have the option to move their existing home to the new lots. The other lots will require new construction. The lots will be accessed by County-dedicated roadways built to County standards. The lots will be served by the County water system and individual onsite septic systems. – Draft EA Panaewa Agricultural Lots Subdivision

DHHL says this infill project “will provide affordable housing opportunities within the urban core in proximity to jobs, schools, and shopping. The agricultural leases on the one-half acre lot size provide opportunities for self-sufficiency agriculture.” A 30-day public comment period on the draft document ensues upon publication.