It may seem a bit odd that housing projects in the Lihu‘e area might be delayed by a lack of water when one of the world’s wettest spots is just a dozen miles inland. But although developers are expressing interest
It may seem a bit odd that housing projects in the Lihu‘e area might be delayed by a lack of water when one of the world’s wettest spots is just a dozen miles inland.
But although developers are expressing interest in available, residential-zoned land on many sides of Lihu‘e, development efforts may be delayed by a lack of available water, sewer capacity, or both.
Mike Furukawa, a vice president at Grove Farm, said many potential developers have shown interest in a triangular piece of property coming to one point at the intersection of Kuhio Highway and Kapule Highway in Hanama‘ulu.
But that site, bordered by the highways on two sides and under consideration for an affordable-housing development, lacks water resources and sewer capacity, Furukawa said.
An extension of the existing Molokoa residential subdivision in Lihu‘e, in the general area near Vidinha Stadium, is also in the discussion phases, he said.
Developers and real-estate agents are done marketing the lots in Molokoa III, immediately off Ho‘olako Street, and preliminary discussions are underway between representatives of Grove Farm, the landowner, and prospective developers, Furukawa said.
“We own the undeveloped land further makai” of Molokoa III, an area already being referred to as Molokoa IV.
“People have expressed interest in the property, but there is no infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, electricity, etc.), and we’re just in discussion phases,” said Furukawa.
Even Grove Farm’s planned Pikake subdivision, between Kukui Grove Village West and Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, suffers a water shortage.
The planned 88-unit, market-lot residential development has sewer capacity, but no water, he said.
Still, the county Planning Commission Subdivision Committee has granted the project tentative subdivision approval, with Grove Farm officials hoping for final subdivision approval by spring of next year, he noted.
Many of the projects in the Lihu‘e area hinge on Grove Farm plans to build a surface-water treatment plant.
Such a facility, planned now to be constructed at or near Kapaia Reservoir (also called Tanaka Pond) off Ma‘alo Road on the way to Wailua Falls, would provide badly needed potable water both for existing homes and businesses and planned residential subdivisions both in Puhi and Hanama‘ulu.
In March of this year, Furukawa said he hoped the plant could be finished within a year.
Associate Editor Paul C. Curtis may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net.
