LIHU‘E — The Kaua’i County Housing Agency, Kimura International Inc. and the Center for Disease Control’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work Program have received the 2012 Outstanding Planning Award. The entities were honored for their collaboration on the Lima Ola
LIHU‘E — The Kaua’i County Housing Agency, Kimura International Inc. and the Center for Disease Control’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work Program have received the 2012 Outstanding Planning Award.
The entities were honored for their collaboration on the Lima Ola Workforce Housing Development Master Plan from the Hawai’i Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Distinguished as Kaua’i’s first “green” affordable housing project, Lima Ola is envisioned as an innovatively designed, 400-household residential community on a 75-acre parcel in ‘Ele‘ele.
Lima Ola was designed to serve as a blueprint for the development of affordable housing on Kaua’i over the next 20 years.
The master plan was prepared for the county by Kimura International Inc. with civil engineering services by R.M. Towill Corp. CDC’s prevention program through the Kaua’i District Health Office supported the project with grant funding and educational and technical assistance.
Accepting the award at the APA event on O‘ahu Wednesday were representatives from each of the organizations, including: Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.; Housing Director Kamuela Cobb-Adams; housing planner Barbara Pendragon; Kaua’i District Health Officer Dr. Dileep Bal; and Glenn Kimura, president, Kimura International, Inc.
“We are honored to be recognized for this groundbreaking and truly unique project,” said Carvalho in a county news release.
“It clearly illustrates how the collaborative efforts between government entities and the private sector can lead to success. I would like to thank everyone that has helped to move Lima Ola forward, including: Kimura International; the Housing Agency team; CPPW; County Council; and the members of the Citizens Advisory Committee.”
The APA awards jury was particularly impressed with the collaboration between the County of Kaua’i and its engaged citizenry, and noted that this provided compelling justification for selecting Lima Ola’s master plan for its 2012 Outstanding Planning Award.
“This partnership not only increases support for the project, but also increases the chances of implementation,” the jury wrote.
The panel also pointed out that the project “exemplifies many of the desired traits of new residential projects, including: good (traffic) circulation within the project and the larger community; varied housing products; accommodations for different types of households; and on-site recreational amenities. It also includes a focal point that underscores a sense of place and promotes neighborhood sociability.”
The master plan features a variety of attractive, affordable housing options with small neighborhood cul-de-sacs distributed around a loop road that are interconnected by a network of shared-use paths, green spaces and community gardens.
The intent of this design is to enable a wide range of income and age groups to reside in close proximity and to foster a strong sense of community.
The plan also incorporates Smart Growth principles, promotes environmental sustainability, encourages healthy living initiatives, and nurtures social interaction and a spirit of aloha.
The Housing Agency has the option to build some of the units by itself or in partnership with affordable housing developers with funding from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Low Income Housing Tax Credits or other available funds. Private developers can also choose to build various phases of the community to satisfy their affordable housing commitments.
To access the entire Lima Ola’s Workforce Housing Development Master Plan, go to the county website, www.kauai.gov/housing.
Lima Ola is one of 38 projects in Carvalho’s Holo Holo 2020 Vision for Kaua’i.
The Hawai’i Chapter of the American Planning Association is a network of urban planning professionals that seek to encourage public participation in planning, promote excellence in planning and increase the public’s understanding of, and appreciation for, planning and its contributions toward improving quality of life.
