KOLOA —An O‘ahu developer might hold renewed hope for the soon-to-be-evicted tenants of Koloa Camp, the island’s last plantation housing community, he told residents Thursday night. The homes are slated for demolition by its owner, Grove Farm, to make way
KOLOA —An O‘ahu developer might hold renewed hope for the soon-to-be-evicted tenants of Koloa Camp, the island’s last plantation housing community, he told residents Thursday night.
The homes are slated for demolition by its owner, Grove Farm, to make way for a new 50-unit housing development.
On Jan. 13, Koloa Camp tenants received a letter from Hawaiian Island Homes Ltd. general sales manager Derrick Fujisaki informing them that its president, Peter Savio, may have a solution to their housing dilemma. Savio addressed residents Thursday night at a community meeting at the Koloa Neighborhood Center.
As part of his community service program, Savio said he is willing to do for Koloa Camp what he did for Poamoho Camp on O‘ahu several years ago.
Poamoho Camp
In 2004, renters of 66 plantation-era homes in Poamoho Camp in Wahiawa faced a similar fate when Del Monte and Gabraith Estate Trust informed Del Monte Fresh produce workers they would have to move out in preparation for the camp’s demolition. Tenants protested. That’s when Savio stepped in and offered the owner and its tenants an alternative.
Savio orchestrated a deal that allowed the tenants to purchase the land and homes for approximately half of its appraised value on a fee-simple basis. His development company financed the purchase of the property on behalf of the residents.
“He is willing to do the same for the families at Koloa Camp,” Fujisaki said.
The average purchase price per Poamoho renter at close in 2009 was approximately $120,000, though the land alone was valued at $200,000. Mortgage payments for residents range between $500 to $1,000 per month, similar to what they were paying in rent.
The Poamoho Camp deal took five years to close.
Koloa Camp
The 13 residents of eight homes in Koloa Camp received an eviction notice from Grove Farm in November and shortly after organized a Save Koloa Camp effort to stop the action.
They have argued that the plantation camp should be preserved, not just for the sake of the elderly residents who have lived there all or most of their lives, but because it’s part of Koloa’s history.
“We think that this is the worst location that Grove Farm could possibly have chosen for development. With 35,000 acres under your belt, why choose 12 acres in a flood zone?” asked Kepa Kruse, the son of long-time Koloa Camp resident John Kruse, during the community meeting at Koloa Neighborhood Center.
“We want people who have been in these camps their whole lives to actually have a chance to stay where they live, to live out the rest of their days,” Kruse said.
He also questioned how Grove Farm is going to evict 82-year-old Catherine Fernandez, a 57-year resident who has said she would rather die in her home than leave.
“We’re asking you to do the right thing by the community,” Kruse said, before introducing Savio as a speaker at the meeting.
“(At Poamoho Camp), plantation workers were being forced out, evicted, by Del Monte, another plantation company,” Kruse said. “Mr. Savio was able to work with all of these different players, and in time these residents that were once evicted were able to purchase their homes.”
Savio’s approach
Savio introduced himself to the crowd of about 35 attendees as the largest provider of affordable housing on O‘ahu. He said he likes the idea of saving the camps because it offers affordable housing while preserving plantation history.
“On O‘ahu, I do what’s called below-market condo conversions where I buy properties, sell them at cost and basically give local people a chance to buy,” he said. “Basically, I’ve given away about $200 million to $300 million in equity to first-time buyers.”
Poamoho was “something really different,” he said. His company bought the land, he said, did the condo conversion (to subdivide), then sold parcels to the renters at cost. His vision for Koloa Camp is the same.
If his company were to purchase the 12 acres at Koloa Camp, he said he would likely do a 33-lot condo conversion. New home development would be possible on vacant parcels, but only plantation-style homes would be allowed to ensure preservation of the historic community.
“We should be willing to buy the land from the owner at appraised value,” he said. “It’s not fair to expect a company to give up value to fulfill a special project.”
But the county must be willing to make whatever concessions are necessary to make the property work, he added. “Ultimately, the feasibility depends on what we’re allowed to do — with Grove Farm and the county.”
On Friday, Savio said, “I was pleased that Grove Farm said they’re willing to talk. It accomplishes what they want. They get the property sold and off their books while allowing the historic camp to be preserved.”
Grove Farm
Grove Farm is offering its Koloa Camp tenants the first rights to purchase homes in the new development, which are estimated to range between $260,000 and $410,000 for a two-bedroom prefabricated home, and between $280,000 and $485,000 for a three-bedroom home.
As of Jan. 17, the land company had yet to file permit applications with the county Planning Department.
Grove Farm has given Koloa Camp tenants until March 8 to move out. Grove Farm Vice President Mike Tresler said he would not consider extending the March 8 move-out date, because “it’s just talk until we have a deal in place.”
Groundbreaking for the new modular, prefabricated home development, called Waihohonu, is scheduled for April.
The county’s position
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. will be at the Koloa Neighborhood Center between 6 and 8 p.m. on Jan. 26 as part of his regularly scheduled, island-wide, community outreach effort. Though the Koloa Camp issue is not part of the agenda for the evening, community members will likely question the mayor about the county’s position on Koloa Camp.
The mayor’s administrative assistant, Beth Tokioka, on Friday said the county is familiar with the issue but has limited ability to intervene in a tenant-landlord issue.
“We have been in touch with Grove Farm and been given assurances that they continue to meet with the remaining seven families on the transition,” she said. “The mayor instructed the county’s housing agency to work closely with Grove Farm and the remaining tenants on housing options that will fit their needs. Those discussions are ongoing, and tenants are being encouraged to meet with the County Housing Agency.”
Desiree Vea, a certified housing counselor for Community Assets, was present at Thursday’s meeting, encouraging residents to contact her about their housing needs, whether it be for homebuyer subsidy programs or rental assistance.
“The Pa‘anau Phase II project will likely be completed in May and will supply 50 new rental units in Koloa,” Tokioka said.
“Pa‘anau could provide an alternative for some, if they choose to apply. The application process should open in early February. For those interested in applying, they are welcome to contact the County Housing Agency,” Tokioka said.
• Vanessa Van Voorhis, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 251, or by emailing vvanvoorhis@thegardenisland.com.
