LIHU‘E — The trees started coming down last week and on Tuesday work stopped briefly at the intersection of Kapule Highway and Haoa Street. Mayor Bernard Carvalho took advantage of a lull before the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Kaua‘i Lagoons
LIHU‘E — The trees started coming down last week and on Tuesday work stopped briefly at the intersection of Kapule Highway and Haoa Street.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho took advantage of a lull before the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Kaua‘i Lagoons affordable housing project to chat with the crew from Koga Engineering that was making short work of the former hau thicket across from the Lihu‘e Industrial Park, Phase II.
“The good thing about this project is that my brothers and sisters in orange are working,” Carvalho said, alluding to the rising unemployment caused by the economic downturn.
But employment was not the only reason to celebrate as Kaua‘i Lagoons broke ground on a $9 million affordable housing project that will feature 31 occupant-owned units spread out over three buildings.
Steve Busch, regional vice president for development and construction, said the residents of the two-bedroom units will be part of the Kaua‘i Lagoons Association and the common areas of the project located on the grounds of the golf course will be maintained by Kaua‘i Lagoons.
After working with the county’s Housing Agency, Busch said the fee on the land will be transferred to the county, keeping the affordable housing aspect in perpetuity.
“Affordable housing is at the
forefront,” Carvalho said. “By working close with partners like Kaua‘i Lagoons, we can make it happen as soon as possible.”
Busch said the project should be completed by February 2010.
“When it’s completed, people will be within walking distance to the stadium and even to work,” Busch said.
The groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by kumu Kehaulani Kekua who got help from ‘Iolani Ka‘uhane and Akani Alapa‘i of Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai.
In the ceremony, the participants representing the county, Kaua‘i Lagoons and the contractor donned the traditional kihei, or over-the-shoulder drape, which Kekua said is the shield. A lei maile was draped over the kihei and the distribution of ka o‘o, or Hawaiian digging stick, completed the assemblage for the groundbreaking that climaxed with Kekua offering the closing prayer as rains, whipped by the brisk trades, wetted down the tools.
“You have to watch out for this lady,” Busch said, joking. “She make it rain when she wants to.”
Joining Busch and Carvalho in breaking ground on the project were Tim Bynum, Derek Kawakami and Lani Kawahara of the Kaua‘i County Council and Kevin Keller representing the contractor.
Kekua is a principal partner of Native Kaua‘i — an indigenous Hawaiian consultant firm that has provided cultural guidance, expertise on program development and training for the Kaua‘i Lagoons Resort.
“This project is nice for people who need (housing),” Busch said.
Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
