NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about APRIL 28, 2006, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant funds under Title VIII of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996, as amended, to undertake a project known as Lalamilo Residence Lots, Phase I, for the purpose of constructing thirty-four affordable single-family houses at Lalamilo, South Kohala, Hawaii. The proposed request for release of funds will consist of low-interest house construction loans or down-payment assistance grants for 12 houses, and self-help technical assistance to construct six of those houses – a total of $250,000.

The activities proposed comprise a project for which a finding of no significant impact on the environment was published on November 5, 2003. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at DHHL Land Development Division at 1099 Alakea Street, Suite 1230, in Honolulu, and at the DHHL West Hawaii District Office at 55 Mile Marker, 64-756 Mamalahoa Highway in Kamuela and may be examined or copied weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. DHHL point of contact is William Makanui (808) 587-6449.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the DHHL. All comments received by APRIL 27, 2006 will be considered by the DHHL prior to submission of a request for release of funds.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

DHHL certifies to HUD that Micah A. Kane, in his capacity as Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD\u2019s acceptance of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and allows DHHL to use program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the DHHL\u2019s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if it is on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of DHHL; (b) DHHL has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient has incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to HUD\u2019s Hawaii State Office at 500 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 3A, Honolulu, HI 96813. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Micah A. Kane, Chairman
Hawaiian Homes Commission (SB05522411 4/20/06)