Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Service changes to select TheBus routes in the Ewa Kapolei and Makakilo areas began Sunday “to better connect the Ewa region to major destinations including Skyline rail stations,” announced the city’s Department of Transportation Services on Friday “These realignment of existing routes and implementation of new routes will bring new direct connections and access to the most popular places in our Ewa and Kapolei communities,” said DTS Deputy Director Jon Nouchi in release “The growth of our westside demands we improve mobility in and we are pleased to strengthen the connections between community resources with an eye towards the future Skyline extension to the Daniel K Inouye International Airport and Kalihi later this year,” Nouchi said DTS says it will continue to monitor and evaluate TheBus system to address changes in service demand Visit TheBus website for the current schedule and route information TheBus customer service is available by calling 808-848-5555 and press 5 The following routes are affected by the service change: Route 41 will be restructured to provide service to the following areas: Villages of Kapolei – will be served by Routes 94 and 415 Kanehili Homestead – will be served by Route 95 Kapolei High School – will be served by Routes C Kapolei Middle School – will be served by Routes C Geiger Road – will no longer have bus service Route 44 will be restructured to provide service to the following areas: Route 44 will discontinue service to the following areas Kaileolea Drive (between Keoneula Boulevard – Kapolei Parkway) Route 47 will replace the following discontinued segments of Route 44: Route 415 will be restructured into a one-way Route 461 will be reconstructed to provide direct service between Makakilo and UH West Oahu Station Kealanani Avenue – will be served by Route 415 Kamaaha Avenue – will be served by Routes 46 and 415 Kualakai Parkway – will be served by Route C Office of Housing HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu is moving forward with the development of Kaleimaʻo Village – West Loch Apartments a 127-unit affordable housing project in ʻEwa Beach the project will provide affordable rental housing for low-income households with all units reserved for residents earning at or below 60% of the area median income This includes single-person households earning up to $58,000 per year and families of four earning up to $75,000 per year “Kaleimaʻo Village specifically targets income ranges that include many of Oʻahu’s essential workforce — food service employees and administrative staff — who are vital to our community yet often struggle to find affordable housing,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi “Through strong public-private partnerships and decisive action we are ensuring that projects like this move forward efficiently.” construction is expected to begin later this year with completion anticipated by the end of 2026 A key component of the project’s financing is the City’s Private Activity Bond (PAB) program which was re-established after a 23-year hiatus Also known as the Multifamily Housing Revenue Bond program it allows private entities to access tax-exempt debt for projects that serve public purposes the Honolulu City Council unanimously approved Resolution 25-73 These tax-exempt bonds lower borrowing costs making it possible to keep rents affordable for low-income households The revival of this program provides another financial tool to help deliver affordable housing on Oʻahu the City is also ensuring long-term affordability by utilizing public land for housing development The Honolulu City Council recently approved Resolution 25-74 granting a 75-year ground lease for the Kaleimaʻo Village site Long-term leases like this allow affordable housing projects to be built on City-owned land while ensuring rental units remain available to low-income residents for decades to come “Kaleimaʻo Village is a great example of how we can use City-owned land to create housing opportunities for local families,” said Catherine A Department of Land Management director designate we’re ensuring that these homes will remain affordable well into the future This project is the result of strong collaboration and commitment and we look forward to seeing it come to life.” The project will consist of seven three-story residential buildings with 28 one-bedroom centered around a single-level community facility The community center will include a meeting space Parking provisions include 137 vehicle stalls and 64 bicycle stalls “This project reflects the City’s commitment to expanding affordable housing opportunities for Oʻahu residents,” said Office of Housing Executive Director Kevin D “With Skyline expected to drive housing development for years to come Kaleimaʻo Village is leading the way in transit-focused housing Located near the Kualaka‘i and Keone‘ae stations this project will provide residents with convenient access to public transportation and nearby job opportunities.” Kaleimaʻo Village is being developed through a public-private partnership with Komohale West Loch LLC a joint venture between Stanford Carr Development and Standard Communities For more information, visit www.honolulu.gov/dlm Investigative stories and local news updates Coverage of the Hawaiʻi State legislature in 2025 Award winning in-depth reports and featured on-going series Get the week’s news delivered straight to your inbox “Smart tax cuts are necessary to empower our local families while ensuring that essential government services remain fully funded.” Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected The following came from Diamond Garcia, Republican candidate for state House District 42, which covers portions of Varona Village and Ewa, and Kapolei and Fernandez Village. His opponent is Democrat Anthony Makana Paris Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot What is the biggest issue facing your district is one of the fastest-growing districts in the state of Hawaii With new developments and community projects underway as I talk to residents across District 42 — from the plantation homes of Ewa to the Hawaiian Homesteads and within the villages of Kapolei and Ewa Gentry — a recurring concern is Hawaii’s outrageous cost of living Hawaii’s high cost of living can be attributed to regulations that stifle our local businesses and a government that takes too much hard-earned money from overburdened taxpayers This financial strain is driving too many families to leave Hawaii as they can no longer afford to stay in our beautiful state due to our failing economy I’ve introduced bills aimed at empowering Hawaiian Homestead waitlistees and beneficiaries One of my initiatives focuses on enabling beneficiaries to leverage their lease (once awarded) to qualify for a mortgage loan By modernizing the Hawaiian Homes lease to function like standard long-term leases allowing most beneficiaries to qualify for mortgage loans without having to return to the waitlist and endure further delays How do you feel about the massive income tax cut just approved by the Legislature and the governor Do you have any concerns that it will force reductions in state services in the years to come I was honored to support and advocate for the passage of House Bill 2404 I do not foresee potential cuts to government services as a result of this tax reduction While there is a common argument that tax cuts might lead to revenue shortfalls it is important to consider that our state has consistently maintained a significant budget surplus for several consecutive years — amounting to billions of dollars Smart tax cuts are necessary to empower our local families while ensuring that essential government services remain fully funded We must also address inefficiencies within our state departments I am dedicated to collaborating with my colleagues to identify underperforming areas and reallocate or reduce funding accordingly This approach will help us further alleviate the tax burden on Hawaii’s residents Hawaii continues to struggle with pay-to-play politics and corruption in government What meaningful reforms do you think would change state government for the better I’m committed to supporting legislation that enhances transparency and accountability among elected officials politicians lose sight of their duty to serve their communities political action committees and special interests instead I believe one of the most impactful reforms would be the implementation of term limits as recommended by the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct (Foley Commission) Our House Republican Caucus has introduced House Bill 1703 which would establish term limits (12 years) for legislators in both the House and Senate Term limits would help mitigate entrenched political interests and ensure a continuous influx of fresh perspectives and innovative ideas I will persist in advocating for term limits in upcoming legislative sessions as this measure is essential for restoring public trust in our government and ensuring elected officials remain accountable to the people they serve Candidates often say they will support reform proposals in the Legislature And yet major reform proposals don’t pass Will you back good-government proposals even if it means going against leadership can you point to an example of a reform that you supported I have consistently demonstrated a commitment to advocating for reforms that benefit our community and our state as a whole even when it meant challenging House leadership which called for significant reforms and good-government proposals This initiative aimed to address crucial issues and promote transparency in our legislative processes Another critical area that requires reform is our education system Hawaii’s public schools are not meeting the standards they should be One effective approach to enhancing our public education system would be the implementation of “local elected” school boards This would empower families in each community to have a direct say and oversight over the education their children receive Hawaii operates with a single unelected school board governing over 260-plus schools statewide which proposed establishing multiple elected school boards — one for each county This reform would’ve decentralized decision-making and allowed communities to tailor educational policies to their specific needs I’ll continue to support and champion such reform proposals in the Legislature Do you support comprehensive public financing of elections for candidates who choose to participate I don’t support comprehensive public financing of elections I believe that using taxpayer dollars to fund campaigns undermines the principle of individual responsibility and accountability in elections Each candidate should be responsible for securing their own campaign funding through private donations from supporters who believe in their vision and policies Public financing could also lead to taxpayer dollars funding campaigns that do not align with the values and beliefs of the taxpayers themselves It is essential that candidates earn the support of voters through their own merit and persuasion public financing systems can be complex and costly to administer potentially diverting resources away from more critical government priorities I support a competitive electoral process where candidates compete based on their ideas rather than on the basis of publicly funded resources I think it’s better to keep campaign funding transparent and let voters decide based on what candidates stand for and how well they connect with the community I believe in a fair election process where candidates compete on their own merits and ideas Hawaii is the only Western state without a statewide citizens initiative process I absolutely support implementing a statewide citizens initiative process in Hawaii It’s a common-sense tool that should be available to the people in a constitutional republic and democratic society like ours Providing citizens with the ability to propose and vote on initiatives empowers them to directly shape our laws and policies ensuring their voices are heard in the legislative process a bill that proposed a constitutional amendment (ConAm) to establish this very process This amendment would grant the people of Hawaii the right to initiate ballot initiatives referendums to approve or repeal laws directly through the ballot and the power to recall state officials and judges when necessary I believe deeply in enhancing citizen participation and accountability in government we strengthen our republic and democracy while ensuring that our government remains responsive to the needs and desires of the people it serves I’ll continue to advocate for empowering our citizens through such reforms to promote transparency What will you do to ensure accountability at the Legislature Do you support ideas such as requiring the Sunshine Law to apply to the Legislature or banning campaign contributions during session Regarding the Sunshine Law applying to the Legislature I approach it cautiously due to concerns I’ve heard from colleagues at the City Council where strict application of the Sunshine Law can sometimes hinder their ability to effectively collaborate on issues Balancing transparency with the need for productive legislative deliberations is crucial I would like to hear more from residents in my community to gauge their views on this issue before making a final decision we must address practical barriers that hinder public participation such as improving parking accommodations for those who wish to come to the Capitol to testify Ensuring accessible and convenient parking will encourage greater civic engagement and make it easier for residents to participate in the legislative process I do support banning them while legislators are in session This helps to prevent potential conflicts of interest and ensures that legislative decisions are made based on the merits of the issues not influenced by financial contributions during critical decision-making periods I’m committed to exploring these ideas further and working toward enhancing transparency accountability and public trust in our legislative process How would you make the Legislature more transparent and accessible to the public Opening conference committees to the public Stricter disclosure requirements on lobbying and lobbyists How could the Legislature change its own internal rules to be more open I strongly support opening conference committees to the public This allows citizens to weigh in before final decisions are made on bills Members on conference committees should also be allowed to express their support or opposition openly before a vote is taken and I believe this should change to promote fairness and openness We should also improve access to legislative documents Clearer and more accessible information empowers the public to participate meaningfully in our legislative system I so support disclosure requirements to promote transparency about who is influencing legislative decisions I oppose measures that would deter public participation such as requiring citizens to register as lobbyists for frequent testimony there are a lot of internal changes that could take place by changing the House and Senate rules This is why a healthy two-party system is important to effective and accountable governance Many people have talked about diversifying the local economy for many years now and yet Hawaii is still heavily reliant on tourism should be done differently about tourism and the economy There’s no denying that Hawaii’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism and the Covid-19 shutdowns from 2020 to 2022 underscored the vulnerability of this reliance While diversification has been a longstanding topic among politicians I believe one promising avenue for economic diversification particularly beneficial to West Oahu families With the recent establishment of the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawaii West Oahu we have a prime opportunity to partner with UH and facilitate the construction of film studios through public-private partnerships This initiative would create a robust job pipeline for graduates of the Creative Media program we need to bolster our state’s competitiveness by increasing film tax credits States like Georgia have successfully attracted film productions and generated local jobs through smart incentives Hawaii can similarly thrive if we reduce bureaucratic obstacles and excessive taxation that hinder the growth of these industries I am committed to advancing legislative measures that support economic diversification and job creation in Hawaii enhancing incentives and streamlining regulations we can establish economic diversification that allows all families of Hawaii to thrive An estimated 60% of Hawaii residents are struggling to get by a problem that reaches far beyond low-income and into the middle class What ideas do you have to help the middle class and working families who are finding it hard to continue to live here The reason why over 60% of Hawaii residents are struggling to get by is because government continues to grow in size which is why I and my colleagues have introduced proposals like HB 623 aiming to remove the General Excise Tax on food I have supported legislation to abolish the income tax stimulating their economies and ultimately generating more revenue We need similar bold steps in Hawaii to empower our local families initiatives such as HB 634 propose non-taxable pre-savings down payment accounts enabling families to save effectively for home ownership Addressing Hawaii’s exorbitant housing costs is paramount I’ve proposed creating a separate local housing market exclusively for local families where properties are purchased at area median income (AMI) prices This market would ensure that affordability is preserved indefinitely requiring properties to be sold at the AMI they were purchased thus safeguarding affordability for future generations This initiative applies specifically to developments utilizing affordable housing tax credits I also strongly support a temporary ban on foreigners purchasing property in Hawaii Unfortunately, being named a finalist for a Pulitzer prize doesn’t make us immune to financial pressures. The fact is, our revenue hasn’t kept pace with our need to grow, and we need your help Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in Hawaiʻi. We’re looking to build a more resilient, diverse and deeply impactful media landscape, and we hope you’ll help by supporting our essential journalism Civil Beat has been named the best overall news site in Hawaii for the 14th year in a row by the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter Hawaii signifies much more than beautiful landscapes: it's a haven of safety or top facilities will have something to offer to make your stay as comfortable as possible Time to pack up and head out to explore seven affordable towns in Hawaii that can make that dream retirement a reality Kihei is located on Maui's southwestern shore and blends sunny weather with a retiree-friendly array of amenities The cost of living is about 3.3% lower than the average in Hawaii State thus making it relatively more affordable than other locations in Hawaii which reflects the premium of a Hawaiian location while renters will be looking at an average of $2,500 per month for a two-bedroom apartment Nearby Maui Memorial Medical Center serves health needs well Specialist services include cardiology and cancer care as well as emergency response capabilities The center is recognized as a Level III Trauma Center and a Primary Stroke Center scenic ocean views and water activities are enjoyed at Kalama Beach Park and shopping and dining establishments in Kihei Kihei offers excellent prospects for retirees by combining safety Pearl City is a suburb of Honolulu and has a friendly community atmosphere which is less than the national average of 100 and transportation costs are relatively low compared to other cities in Hawaii making it an affordable alternative to other Hawaiian locations Pali Momi Medical Center provides health services from general to specialized ones Services also include 24-hour emergency care advanced imaging such as MRI and CT scanning at 320 slice scrolling specialty care in the fields of orthopedics it also comforts the patients by providing facilities like the Hauoli Court Dining Room and spiritual care to soothe the 'healing process.' The Pearl City Shopping Center has a mix of retail and dining merchants to satisfy day-to-day conveniences Ewa Beach is indeed a thriving community on Oahu's southwestern shore that has brought together natural beauty The cost of living is about 3.5% higher than the average in the State of Hawaii thus making it pretty reasonable inside the state With a median home price of $833,361 and rentals ranging from $950 to $9,136 per month an annual income of $87,200 will get you living comfortably Recreational activities abound in Ewa Beach The sandy shores of Ewa Beach Park and One'ula Beach Park offer picnic areas do so at Coral Creek or Hawaii Prince Golf Course Aquaholics get wet with one-of-a-kind surfing at The LineUp at Wai Kai Other points of interest in Ewa Villages showcase glimpses of Hawaii's sugarcane history while festivals color up and bring life to celebrate the diversity of its community Health care needs have been well pursued at The Queen's Medical Center - West Oahu offering around-the-clock emergency services Ewa Beach is probably just that balanced lifestyle in all ways: home affordability a safe community with health care at easy reach and recreation Wailuku is the county seat of Maui and is a nice balance of old Hawaii with modern conveniences for retirees It is about 3.3% less expensive compared to the average cost of living in Hawaii residents have some of the lowest taxes within the state with the nearby Maui Memorial Medical Center offering a wide range of services and specialty care as the island's only acute care hospital The historic Iao Theater is home to numerous performances while the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens has native Hawaiian plants residents enjoy several options in the quaint downtown area of this town Wailuku is a desirable choice for people retiring to Hawaii in search of a comfortable and social lifestyle Lihue is Kauai's commercial center and a nice place for retirees Healthcare needs are fairly well supported with the nearby Wilcox Medical Center serving the community well; it is the largest medical center on Kauai and thus offers a wide range of services Wilcox Medical Center is a nonprofit hospital dedicated to accessible Wilcox Health includes Wilcox Medical Center and Kauai Medical Clinic offering a full suite of services with 30 specialties and programs Nawiliwili Harbor is the hub of water activity while Kukui Grove Center serves as a hub for various types of shopping and restaurants which is rather reasonably priced compared to other locations in Hawaii Several restaurants and shopping centers are present within the town for easy living Waimea is a great place for retirees who wish to enjoy a quiet rural lifestyle The cost of living is 20.4% lower than the average in Hawaii which makes it very practical for anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of the Big Island without the hefty price tag which is slightly pricier but comes with everything this wonderful town has to offer residents have access to various services that include cancer care the hospital is committed to improving the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians and the broader community one of the largest cattle ranches in the U.S. while the Waimea Town Market showcases local produce and artisan goods safe option for retirees with good access to healthcare and rich community opportunities The towns in Hawaii offer retirees a unique blend of affordability From tranquil beaches in Kailua to cooler climates in Waimea These towns also offer recreational opportunities and access to basic amenities that will make for a well-rounded lifestyle for seniors Retiring in Hawaii isn't just about great views but finding that place that supports your needs and aspirations Pack your things and start exploring these cost-effective towns in Hawaii to find the perfect place to call home for your golden years photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com HONOLULU — Resident golfers will have an easier time getting a Golf ID card when services expand to West Loch and Ewa Villages golf courses starting August 12 and to Kahuku Golf Course in November The expansion means all six municipal golf courses on Oahu will be able to issue new or replacement Golf ID cards by the end of the year making for a more convenient experience for local golfers A Golf ID card is required for anyone hoping to receive the resident rate when booking a tee time at a City and County of Honolulu golf course golfers in Leeward Oahu can head to nearby West Loch or Ewa Villages for ID services North Shore and Windward residents can enjoy the same convenience at Kahuku All municipal courses are closed on holidays Visit the Department of Enterprise Services website for information on how to obtain a Golf ID card and to make tee time reservations Less expensive housing has drawn more people to the former sugar town but that’s also changing the character of a place once known for how well it cared for those who lived there Myrna Abang loved riding the flumes of Ewa Plantation Co She and her friends would splash and laugh down the water line originally meant to irrigate sugar fields and move the stalks throughout the plantation “It tugs at our heartstrings when we remember how we grew up,” Abang says Most of her life was spent on the plantation and its surrounding residential villages she remembers how her family never had to lock their doors waiting for her parents’ call for dinner time Her neighborhood telephone book was only four pages long mini-malls and the local Zippy’s restaurant Time and the arrival of new residents has strained the sense of community that once held this former sugar town together bonded by memories of Ewa’s unique agricultural history Most of the land was covered in sugar cane fields The 2-mile stretch hosted the local elementary school grocery store and clubhouse right next to the company’s offices and Manager’s Mansion Surrounding Renton Road were the residential villages the company provided for its plantation workers Tenney and Varona are just some of the villages Abang grew up in “Korean Camp,” although she notes that most of her neighbors were Filipino immigrants the laborers often congregated on Renton Road Abang recalls the way everyone would come together for public events like their annual Christmas parade or town carnival She says that Ewa Villages had everything you would need “You could tell that people really cared and it started with the company taking care of us,” Abang says the company quickly became the highest-producing plantation in Hawaii It was the first to yield 10 tons of sugar per acre It was the first to have a fully mechanized harvesting operation and the only mill to have a soda water bottling plant In partnership with The Queen’s Medical Center they launched the Ewa Health Center in 1935 the Ewa Health Center was a leader in plantation medicine changing laborer diets and improving health outcomes for the workers’ children The Tenney Gymnasium was one to envy with multiple courts pools and recreational activities for tenants The company was often lauded as a “new kind of plantation” for providing such amenities for workers and their families The “little things” like that made growing up on the plantation special for Abang and what stands out to her When the company was bought out by the Waipahu-based Oahu Sugar Co the closure was felt by many who spent their whole lives on the plantation Abang remembers many of the families she grew up with moving to different parts of Oahu opening the door for a new wave of residents to the former sugar town She remembers riding the school bus to her alma mater and seeing all the new homes and faces in her changing community “There was just a boom of kids and I don’t think they identified or appreciated that we came from this place that existed before them,” Abang says The City and County of Honolulu acquired Ewa Villages after the plantation’s land lease expired in the early ’80s Plans for a “Second City” on the Westside were already underway so officials needed something that would address the population boom coming to the Ewa region With the need for affordable housing also growing along with the now-defunct Department of Housing and Community Development They sought to revitalize the area by fixing up the existing structures and offering them back to plantation families and newcomers to purchase That’s when Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand moved there with her family from Honolulu She dreamed of a starter home with her husband and daughter a place where she could have pets and get into gardening But she didn’t realize how much the Ewa Villages residents had gone through “There was a lot of tension because this was a community in transition,” Weygan-Hildebrand says She remembers that there was a lot of anger among residents “Tenants of record” would have to move out during restorations and decide whether they were going to buy the houses from the government or live somewhere else She recalls that even though there were public meetings for input She started learning more about her new home because of her interest in plantation history and her roots in the Philippines She started facilitating public meetings for former plantation workers and creating events like heritage walks and free workshops she works with the newly founded Ewa Villages Historical Society to preserve and share the stories of the former plantation town The organization’s initial focus is on rehabilitating the Manager’s Mansion and putting it to community use the Mansion is managed by the Honolulu Department of Land Management which closed the structure in 2004 when multiple safety hazards The historical society was hoping to use the space as a museum and there was talk of other groups wanting to make it into a cafe or a neighborhood association office But the city said in an emailed statement that there are “no current plans to improve or repurpose the Manager’s Mansion and/or its site and no funding source is presently identified to do so.” Despite the lack of financial support from the city Weygan-Hildebrand feels there needs to be more community building in Ewa today It’s been a challenge for her historical society to get newcomers to care about the history of the Ewa Villages but they need to be inspired and want to engage,” Weygan-Hildebrand says She believes that a community is more than just bricks and mortar but the shared values and connections that can be forged in a place but what are some of those community characteristics that we can bring into the future?” Weygan-Hildebrand asks who is coordinating an event to celebrate 130 years of the Ewa Plantation they have to fix up Ewa to make it more attractive,” Simbahon says Now it seems people are moving because it is a more affordable option than Honolulu Ewa’s population climbed from the 1960s to early 2000s, leveling off at over 14,000 residents in the zip code. Census data shows that over the last decade, Ewa Village’s population count has grown by almost 1,000 from 2010 And while the price of homes continues to climb in Hawaii overall the 2019 median value of houses in Ewa ranges from $568,300 to $665,200 Median home prices for Oahu topped $1 million last month Median gross rent between 2015-2019 in Ewa Villages is one of the lowest islandwide at $1,082, compared to $1,491 in Urban Honolulu. With the median value of housing in Honolulu at $678,200 in 2019 where some can afford newer and bigger properties Kim Andrews needed a home with a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor for her dad His health was declining and they wanted something that would accommodate him quickly When they were looking to move from Hickham Air Force Base in 2018 all of the options that were in their price range were in Ewa we told our Realtor it didn’t matter where on the island We just needed to find something fast,” Andrews says While her husband would be away on assignment as a contractor for the Navy Andrews says her family loves living in Ewa because of the convenience malls and restaurants she frequents are either in Ewa or Kapolei But she also sees hotels popping up and more subdivisions being developed which she believes will drive up the cost in the area “I do understand this area is cheaper than other parts she feels like it’s hard for anyone to build those connections these days especially as a full-time caretaker to her father and overseeing the busy lives of her kids Andrews notes that it was easier to meet people when they lived on base And this is what Abang wants to see return to Ewa Villages — that feeling of community she delights in seeing the Ewa Green Wall because it acts as a visual cue of her childhood and what the place meant to thousands of people There was just a true sense of community here,” Abang says By Ian Bauer BusinessEditors' PicksPolitics Plans are finally moving forward as local developer Peter Savio has partnered with Hawaii Habitat for Humanity to restore Varona Village Homes along a street in the plantation-era community Tuesday in Ewa Beach Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced plans Tuesday for redevelopment of Varona Village in Ewa Beach Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading shaded bus stop along Renton Road in Ewa Beach 24 acres of aging one-story homes in Varona Village await renewal The Ewa plain community — once filled with 93 homes rented by employees of the long-defunct Oahu Sugar’s Ewa Plantation — is being redeveloped by the city in partnership with the Savio Group of Companies and Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association now called Savio/Hawaii Habitat Varona Village LLC says it’s working with the city to fulfill a plan nearly 30 years in the making: to provide the Varona Village tenants of record their families and current Varona Village residents the opportunity to own the homes they live in That plan includes new 100% “affordable” housing lots which will be made available to the community for purchase with first priority given to Varona Village members “Many of these tenants and their families sweat and tears into this unique plantation-style community and we are proud to be able to finally make homeownership a reality for so many,” Mayor Rick Blangiardi said during a Tuesday news conference in the neighborhood “This is a truly special place deserving of preservation and proper care.” Others also spoke to the “promise” to redevelop Varona Village largely consisting of homes built in the early 20th century “So the promise that you keep hearing about is that in 1995 the city took some actions to put this on the Historic Register — last of the Ewa Villages — (with) the intent of transferring the properties to the tenants of record,” Chris Hong the current project will be broken into two phases The first phase will see the renovation or repair of 35 to 40 existing homes to meet minimum health and safety codes for the tenants of record Phase two will be the construction of up to 88 new affordable residential homes the city will work to bring new sewage lines — as most existing homes within the Varona Village community are connected to old septic tank systems — and other roadway and infrastructure improvements to adjacent Renton Road “Now we’re at a point where we have a development agreement that was agreed upon,” said Hong “and we’re closing in on the agreement of sale so that we can fulfill that promise and make the tenants of record homeowners within this property.” He added as soon the condominium property regime “we’re going to sell the lots as is … to the tenants of record.” Hong could not give pricing for the proposed for-sale properties And Hong said he did not know how many original tenants of record — many of whom are in their 90s — remained But Hong did say Varona’s tenants of record family members and descendants of sugar plantation workers would see lots for sale priced at about $100,000 the tenants of record “can buy the home they occupy or if (a) vacant lot is desired priority will be based on years of service at Ewa Plantation/Oahu Sugar Company.” Hong said the timeline to see this project built could occur by early 2025 to be sold off “to the tenants of the record.” “So as soon as we close on the agreement of sale then we’ll start with the CPR process,” he said knowing that it takes time to financially qualify some of these families we will be working with lenders to make sure they have financing and that will be working in parallel with us to do the condominium process.” In past years the effort to rejuvenate Varona Village as well as neighboring Ewa Village communities As the Honolulu Star-­Advertiser reported in October 2020 involved the city buying 676 homes on 243 acres Campbell Estate leased to Amfac-owned Oahu Sugar City officials anticipated carrying out the plan in phases over six to eight years and said affordable sale prices would cover city costs An initial phase was completed on Fernandez Village where 229 homes were improved and sold for $1 plus $5 per square foot of land a more ambitious “Ewa Villages” master plan was finalized and involved acquiring about 600 acres to preserve Ewa Plantation villages and create new affordable and market­-price housing communities along with parks and a municipal golf course to alleviate flooding village preservation got scaled back to cover only three of the seven untouched plantation communities and home sale prices for plantation workers were estimated at $45,000 to $55,000 without improvements and $110,000 to $130,000 renovated Work on all three villages was projected to be done by 1998 under what was being hailed as a national model Homes sales began in 1995 at Renton and Tenny villages during the administration of Mayor Jeremy Harris in which a scandal erupted with city housing official Michael Kahapea convicted of leading a scam to steal $5.6 million from the project also known as Filipino Camp and Banana Camp got sidestepped as some city officials pushed for demolition because homes were too run down redevelopment efforts for Ewa Villages were nearly complete — except for Varona Village — when the city Department of Housing and Community Development dissolved in 1998 when the City Council convened a Varona Village Working Group that efforts to rekindle this redevelopment project occurred The group’s recommendations culminated in a 2017 solicitation seeking a redevelopment partner Blangiardi said completing the Varona Village project was important to his own administration “This was 2-1/2 years in the making since we got into office,” the mayor said ‘What are some of the projects that are viable that should have happened but didn’t happen and what can we do about it?’ And Varona Village was right at the top of that list.” Star-Advertiser staff writer Andrew Gomes contributed to this report Varona Village in ʻEwa Beach was acquired by the city in the 1990s following the closure of the Oʻahu Sugar Company the city promised the existing plantation workers at the time (called “Tenants of Record”) that they would be offered the opportunity to purchase the homes they were renting It has taken 30 years to begin to fulfill this promise the city has entered into a public-private partnership with a private developer to redevelop Varona Village in two phases and expects to finalize an agreement of sale with the private developers – a partnership between Savio Group and Habitat for Humanity – by the end of 2023 to start phase I the private developer will begin phase I to repair and renovate the existing 46 homes so that they can be offered for sale to the Tenants of Record Phase II will involve new construction as well as infrastructure development to provide up to 87 additional homes for sale to former residents and their families This represents a monumental effort by DLM and the city’s Corporation Counsel to get to the point of fulfilling a 30-year-old promise to these Tenants of Record and their families out in ‘Ewa Village Civil Beat will host a forum Friday for the four House candidates vying to represent Districts 41 and 42 David Alcos and Diamond Garcia will join their Democratic rivals John Clark and Anthony Paris Friday at consecutive pop-up newsrooms in Ewa Beach They’ll answer questions and discuss issues that are important to the Ewa Beach-Kapolei area as well as the state Alcos and Clark, who are competing for the District 41 seat that covers Ewa Villages They will be followed by Garcia and Paris, who are seeking to represent District 42 That’s scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m Civil Beat reporter Blaze Lovell will moderate the discussions but audience members also will have the opportunity to ask questions and mingle More details here on all our remaining pop-ups overpacked schools — Ewa’s days as a sleepy sugarcane town are far behind it Two years after Democrat Matt LoPresti eked out a victory against his Republican challenger David Alcos one of a cluster of competitive districts around Ewa where a fast-increasing population has been straining existing infrastructure they don’t put in enough schools,” said LoPresti And move in they do – from 2010 to 2020, the area’s population increased by about 25% a rate far more aggressive than Honolulu County’s 6.6% increase over the same time period All this new development is underscoring the District 41 election not only when it comes to policy – which Alcos and LoPresti generally agree upon – but also when it comes to the different sides of Ewa Beach that each candidate represents Sugarcane’s been in Hawaii since its first human inhabitants brought it over more than a thousand years ago Throughout the 1800s, sugarcane grew as an economic enterprise in the islands When the American Civil War disrupted production in Louisiana demand for Hawaii’s supply quickly increased spurring the development of plantations in Ewa Plain and elsewhere But by the early 1980s, the once-thriving Ewa Plantation Co. had been bought out and its lease had expired, paving the way for the City and County of Honolulu to purchase Ewa Villages and plan for a population shift to the west side of Oahu “I grew up on a plantation sugarcane camp,” said Alcos who attended James Campbell High School long before it became Hawaii’s most populous school Alcos entered construction after graduating and eventually started his own firm which allowed him to purchase a large house on the beach close to Ewa’s main artery This grants him a status that he believes extends to neither LoPresti nor the politicians who came before him They (weren’t) implanted here and raised and grown up here and understand the culture of living and life here and really deeply rooted and involved in the community,” said Alcos Alcos is running because he feels they haven’t put in the effort that he would He stressed some of his community involvement bona fides: as a member of the Lions Club as a football coach at James Campbell High School LoPresti has his own bona fides: as former member of the neighborhood board and as a volunteer with the Limu Community project Born in Pittsburgh and raised around Cleveland he pursued philosophy in college and enrolled at the University of Hawaii Manoa to earn advanced degrees eventually becoming a professor at Hawaii Pacific University He’s adamant that this background doesn’t detract from his candidacy but it’s the same community,” said LoPresti His wife’s family has been here for generations and his kids have grown up here “this false idea that there’s two Ewas Though the two sides are separated geographically It’s a community that’s constantly growing Lower-than-average home prices have been luring young families out to this bedroom community where residents’ commutes to job centers like Waikiki can take an hour each direction during rush hour traffic Both candidates have ideas for how to combat this — and they’re pretty much the same Because so much of the traffic comes from residents commuting east to Honolulu one part of the solution could be promoting more jobs on the west side and Alcos said he’d like some of that closer to Ewa too though “we like country to be country,” he said Alcos also hopes that rail finishes construction sooner rather than later LoPresti referenced a bill he sponsored in 2018 to implement tax credits for up to 20 businesses each year in the Kapolei area though that stalled and hasn’t been picked up since He also mentioned unused government land in the area that could be an additional location for west Oahu state workers Promoting work from home is another idea that each pitched “I think we need to find ways to incentivize businesses to allow workers to work from home a couple days a week.” Even younger residents have felt the crowds James Campbell High School hosts more than 3,000 students and its facilities — or lack thereof — have received criticism in recent years Classrooms had been hot, prompting LoPresti to campaign on bringing air conditioning to schools back in 2014. A few years later, a statewide program to do just that — with James Campbell on the “high priority” list — experienced delays, but ultimately, progress was made and each candidate is hopeful it’ll diffuse the crowded roads Each also takes some credit for these advancements LoPresti has said that large projects like these are the result of his and other legislators’ work Alcos said — but these projects were going to happen without his help anyway I advocated for education here,” said Alcos Financially, LoPresti’s campaign has about $9,100 on hand while Alcos’s has about $2,300 on hand though Alcos outspent LoPresti by a few thousand dollars according to the most recent reports Each candidate brings legal baggage, with LoPresti being arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated this past summer, though that case was dismissed in early September He referred to the court’s decision and declined to comment further Alcos’s construction business was sued for failing to pay its workers for a job though he said that another contractor had agreed to pitch in for that before abandoning the project LoPresti’s status as a Democrat might be enough to buoy him to victory But Ewa is more balanced — after a few years of serving in the Legislature LoPresti ran for state Senate in 2018 and lost to Kurt Fevella who’s now the chamber’s sole Republican He regained his old House district seat in 2020 but it was a close race: the 642 voters who cast blank ballots would’ve flipped the seat if they’d instead voted for Alcos Each candidate said they could’ve campaigned harder in that race and I wanted to be very respectful to everybody,” said LoPresti He kept a slim campaign team of himself and his daughter though his other daughter and his wife did some sign-waving too Alcos employed a sizable campaign two years ago “I think I’m working three to four times harder than I did last time,” he said Mistakes were made then that won’t be made now – most notably his community involvement lulled him into a false sense of security that voters knew him and would vote for him and some people moving in and out,” he said “I would build an economy where our people only need one working job to make enough for a living.” The following came from David Alcos, Republican candidate for state House District 41, which includes Ewa, Ewa Beach, Ewa Gentry, Ewa Villages, Hoakalei and Ocean Pointe. The other candidate is Democrat Matt LoPresti Go to Civil Beat’s Elections Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot Hawaii has been deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic Perhaps the biggest impact is to the economy and the tourism industry which has been Hawaii’s biggest economic driver Do you think state leaders have handled the response to the virus effectively including the approach to testing and health care as well as the stay-at-home orders that have caused serious economic harm Besides keeping close tabs on COVID-19 statistics no one has addressed how we will bring visitors in a virus-free environment The state budget is facing record shortfalls Review the budget and figure out what we need instead of what we want What do you think should be done to diversify the economy What would you do as an elected official to make that happen Use agriculture to supply both residents and visitors Are you satisfied with the current plans to pay for the state’s unfunded liabilities how would you propose to meet pension and health obligations for public workers Would you support reductions in benefits including in pension contributions for public employees in light of virus-related budget shortfalls This is something we need to know more about But I understand that we need more money in Hawaii to survive so there should not be any income being taken away The state’s virus response effort has exposed deep rifts within the top levels of government so what would you do to ensure public confidence in Hawaii’s government officials and top executives We need to find a way to bring back the economy while keeping our residents safe We needed stronger guidelines for visitors We need to make sure of sufficient personal protective equipment and that our COVID-19 case numbers are going down in our state and communities Recent deaths of citizens at the hands of police are igniting protests and calls for reform across the country primarily aimed at preventing discrimination against people of color How important do you see this as an issue for Hawaii What should be done to improve policing and police accountability throughout the state Do you support police reform efforts such as mandatory disclosure of misconduct records by police agencies and adequate funding for law enforcement oversight boards that have been established in recent years there is not as much discrimination against people of color in Hawaii as in other states But I do believe that our focus should be on what is happening here and what we can do improve situation I also believe that to move forward we need to ensure the safety of our people and officers It is a possibility that this will bring the government closer to the people we need to go over the pros and cons of our current form of government where elect officials who act on our behalf make laws instead of a direct initiative approach where citizens can vote directly on new laws Hawaii’s public records law mandates that public records be made available whenever possible David Ige suspended the open government laws under an emergency order during the pandemic What would you do to ensure the public has access to open meetings and public records in a timely fashion I disagree with his action to open government laws We need more transparency during this pandemic I would create a small communications group to review as well as update the public through video-conferencing and access to detailed information on the internet What should Hawaii be doing to prepare for the effects of climate change including sea level rise and threats to the reefs We definitely should address this proactively and team up with agricultural practitioners various organizations and groups to better understand our local ecosystem What do you see as the most pressing issue facing your district our traffic and overcrowding of our schools are a major issue We were a small community and it is growing now more than ever Our roads and schools can’t keep up with the amount of housing development that is going on they should have built the infrastructures first we must build bigger roads or alternate routes and more classrooms The coronavirus pandemic has exposed numerous flaws in Hawaii’s structure and systems from outdated technology to economic disparity If you could take this moment to reinvent Hawaii to build on what we’ve learned and create a better state Please share One Big Idea you have for Hawaii I believe projects and development have to show mass importance to the community The people should not have to be pressured into seeing benefits the honest truth is that Hawaii is one of the most expensive states to live in I would build an economy where our people only need one working job to make enough for a living We live in a place that should be paradise for the people that live here not breaking our backs and losing sleep more than we should to survive and feed our families A possibility to contribute to that happening would be by providing efficient education and job-training opportunities for our young generations “One job should be enough to make ends meet in this beautiful paradise of Hawaii that we are lucky to call home.” Republican candidate for state Senate District 19 Iroquois Point and a portion of Ewa Villages The other candidate is Democrat Rida Arakawa Cabanilla As one of the six state senators appointed to the Senate’s Special Committee on COVID-19 (out of the total 25 senators) – based on the hearings that our Committee has had since March – I think that the state government’s response could have used improved screening techniques of arriving passengers Balancing the budget will require sacrifice on the part of state government workers: To balance the budget there will be no new hiring for the next three fiscal years; positions vacated due to retirement must be left unfilled state government workers – other than public school teachers and low-ranking clerks – will have to take unpaid “furlough days” – during each two-week period they will have to take off one day without pay I would protect public school teachers and low-ranking clerks – who are already grossly underpaid — by allowing them to be the only state workers exempted from pay cuts and “furloughs.” Our best hope is table-to-farm diversified agriculture to supply both residents and visitors we must double our food production over the next few years I will introduce a bill for a “crash program” to reduce our dependence on imported foods This “crash program” will include low-interest loans for local farmers It will also limit agricultural lands exclusively to only agriculture — defined as the growing of edible crops and raising of cattle and other grazing animals Rather than speaking of “reducing benefits,” we should focus on not increasing the state government work force and gradually downsizing downsizing it there has been an honest difference of opinion as to the everyday mechanics of fighting COVID-19 we senators on the special committee noticed that there were some gaps in the state forms being filled in by incoming passengers there has been less discrimination against people of color here in Hawaii than on the U.S everyone should be treated equally and with respect Because everyone is innocent until proven guilty I do not support mandatory disclosure of misconduct records until after the misconduct has been fully adjudicated As for adequate funding for oversight boards I think that should be left up to a vote of the people at the county level We in Hawaii are 2,500 miles away from the Western states and we have our own unique culture and ways of doing things Before our Hawaii voters approve a statewide citizens initiative process we should set up a citizens’ study commission to review the pros and cons of our current representative form of government – in which we elect officials who act on our behalf to make laws – versus a direct initiative approach in which citizens can vote directly What we are discovering in what I call this “brave new world” of dealing with this unprecedented pandemic is that we have to learn to be innovative and inventive in the face of new challenges with video-conferencing and Zoom as well as Internet access the public can have access to open meetings and to public records The rise in sea level and the endangering of reefs are definitely serious problems They are being addressed well by various conservation groups and by the City Office of Sustainability which has already alerted city planners to plan ahead in approving building designs by accounting for the anticipated rises in sea levels along the seashores we have twin issues that are the most pressing: you can ask any of the hundreds of commuters stuck in traffic on Fort Weaver Road and Kolowaka Drive during rush hours in the morning I am a strong supporter of making sure that the rail line from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium and then to Middle Street is completed in a fiscally responsible way our public school facilities in the Ewa District are in dire need of upgrades I was finally able to get a desperately needed track and field for my alma mater Ilima Intermediate is in desperate need of a new cafetorium One job should be enough to make ends meet in this beautiful paradise of Hawaii that we are lucky to call home I will be doing all I can at the Legislature to make sure that this One Big Idea becomes a reality by providing sufficient educational and job-training opportunities for our youths and by providing affordable housing for all of us Kurt Fevella remains minority leader in the Senate Hawaii’s House Republican Caucus on Saturday elected Rep Lauren Cheape Matsumoto (District 38: portions of Mililani and Waipio Acres Mililani Mauka) its new House minority leader Alcos and Pierick are new to the House minority caucus which now numbers six out of the 51-member House controlled by Democrats “I am inspired by this new group of Republican Representatives with all of the strengths that they bring to the table,” Matsumoto said in a press release “Together we will be a strong voice and advocate for the people of Hawaii.” portion of Ewa Villages) remains minority leader and minority floor leader Kunia Village) doubles the GOP caucus to two in the 25-member State lawmakers may ask the DOT to study the idea as a way to alleviate traffic A bill that would require the Hawaii Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of a new route to connect Ewa to downtown Honolulu has cleared its first committee The idea would be to have a private-public partner design build and operate an underwater tunnel for vehicle traffic to “provide a more direct connection” between the regions It could include expansion of roadways as necessary “to maximize use of the tunnel.” According to House Bill 1950 the Legislature finds that “the upcoming decades will bring tens of thousands of new homes” to the Leeward Coast and nearby areas of West Oahu “Traffic experts predict that vehicular congestion will double or triple as a result of the growth in population.” It continues: “Completion of Honolulu’s rail transit project will not be enough to provide the additional transportation capacity for west Oahu residents.” a Democrat who represents Ewa and Ewa Beach The legislation does not indicate exactly where an underwater tunnel would be built Navy “will not oppose the construction of an underwater tunnel because naval vessels commonly traverse underwater tunnels on the east coast of the United States and throughout the world.” This is not the first time a tunnel connecting the West Side to downtown has been proposed but the idea never seems to gain much traction which would appropriate an unspecified amount of funds to the DOT for the study awaits a hearing in the House Finance Committee Plans are finally moving forward as local developer Peter Savio has partnered with Hawaii Habitat for Humanity to restore Varona Village where some homes on Oahu's Ewa Plain are close to a century old By Jamm Aquino By Andrew Gomes Editors' PicksVideo Her house is also located on Manakuke Street hopes to own her home in Ewa’s Varona Village she stands in the living room in her house on Manakuke Street residents rode bicycles on Manakuke Street in Varona Village bus stop on Renton Road is adorned with a Varona Village sign Eusebia Batalon would like to think she will live to see the day she buys her city-owned home under a government initiative announced 39 years ago to preserve several now-historic Oahu sugar plantation housing camps “Long time we are waiting to buy,” the sprightly widower said referring to herself and her neighbors in Varona Village a community on the Ewa Plain that once was filled with 93 homes rented by employees of Oahu Sugar’s Ewa Plantation including several that are boarded up after being ravaged by time and poor city upkeep after Oahu Sugar shut down in 1995 > PHOTOS: Former sugar plantation community Varona Village on cusp of revival Even fewer Ewa Plantation retirees or their relatives still live in Varona decades after the city fumbled a series of plans to sell the homes to the retirees and preserve a unique community from Hawaii’s bygone sugar era the Honolulu City Council approved a new plan in which the city will sell the 26-acre neighborhood close to Ka Makana Ali‘i shopping center to a private developer that would fix up some existing homes build 87 new plantation-style houses and sell the residences at below-market prices to existing tenants along with mainly others who have family employment connections to Ewa Plantation some deal elements have yet to be ironed out including firm home prices and whether roads and other infrastructure will be a maintenance responsibility of the city or homeowners a local developer who partnered with the nonprofit Hawaii Habitat for Humanity to restore Varona said it could take a year to complete property surveys and condominium lot divisions before homes can be sold for perhaps as little as $100,000 tentativeness in the plan raises concerns about how far off the horizon home sales may be “We can’t tell if we can wait that long to buy our home,” said 88-year-old Varona resident Juanita Rodriguez who has lived in her house since 1967 and lost her husband last year a next-door neighbor of Rodriguez since 1971 is more skeptical about home purchase offers “I don’t believe that until they do it,” said Malate Malate’s suspect view stems from a long history of inaction and neglect by the city In 1981 the city advanced a plan to preserve eight Ewa Plantation villages by rehabilitating and selling homes most of which were built between 1900 and 1940 The move to sell the homes came amid growing uncertainty over the long-term viability of Hawaii’s sugar industry “It’s no secret that Oahu Sugar wants to get out of (the) plantation housing business,” city Housing Director Joseph Conant under Mayor Eileen Anderson said in a 1981 Honolulu Advertiser story The original plan involved the city buying 676 homes on 243 acres Campbell Estate leased to Amfac-owned Oahu Sugar An initial phase was completed on Fernandez Village where 229 homes were improved and sold for $1 plus $5 per square foot of land Charlene Richardson recalls that her parents bought their Fernandez home for $26,000 But because of a change in city administrations and other things New urgency to rekindle the initiative arose several years later with the approach of Oahu Sugar’s land lease expiring in 1995 a more ambitious “Ewa Villages” master plan was finalized in 1991 and involved acquiring about 600 acres to preserve Ewa Plantation villages and create new affordable and market-price housing communities along with parks and a municipal golf course to alleviate flooding Home sales began in 1995 at Renton and Tenny villages during the administration of Mayor Jeremy Harris in which a scandal erupted with city housing official Michael Kaha­pea convicted of leading a scam to steal $5.6 million from the project the daughter of an Ewa Plantation worker who became involved in village preservation at the International Longshore and Warehouse Union said she’s pushed the city to save Varona for 25 years in part to continue the work of her late father “Many changes have occurred in that period of time,” she told the City Council Wednesday administrators and management have changed representatives and Council members have changed But what hasn’t changed is the situation at Varona.” who describes herself as one of the “young girls” living in Varona said the community remains a special place deserving of preservation mango and calamondin trees drip fruit into yards along narrow paved streets Tourists occasionally visit on foot from the nearby Hawaiian Railway Society train depot and museum to find a community seemingly forgotten by time Another ancient Varona feature is monthly rent of $55 the city charges some retirees and spouses overgrown empty lots and several decrepit houses boarded up by the city 24 Varona homes have been torn down mainly to decay and some longtime residents died waiting for the city to preserve a community listed on the state’s Register of Historic Places The latest plan has origins in working group of city officials established in 2013 to pursue Varona’s preservation largely at the behest of Councilman Ron Menor A city request for proposals was issued in 2017 and the Savio/Habitat plan was picked over one other bid in 2018 the city and the developer agreed in August to blueprint terms that were difficult to reach because of conditions at Varona “It’s been like a very challenging development agreement one of the most difficult ones I’ve worked on because it’s been 25 years since anything has been done for the tenants of Varona Village is in a very poor condition,” Sandra Pfund director of the city Department of Land Management Menor said a solution to preserve the community and convey home ownership was long overdue “For various reasons the city failed to live up to its obligations — until now,” he said Wednesday “It is unfortunate that … many of the original tenants are not with us to see this day but I am hopeful that their children and families will thrive in the affordable housing opportunities that will be available.” Varona residents are elated that a new plan exists “I’m ecstatic that there’s hope in the village again,” Patrick Hange son-in-law of a former Ewa Plantation worker “I thank you for sticking with it to get us to this point.” said the plan hasn’t been well communicated to residents I support the revitalization of the village but have serious concerns,” she said at Wednesday’s meeting “This plan has not been vetted by the rest of the community.” Malate’s concerns include whether maintenance of roads and other infrastructure will fall on residents and how elderly residents can keep renovation costs low under the developer’s plan to have residents contribute construction labor “They are not able to lift that hammer and pound that nail,” she said Pfund and Savio said it hasn’t been determined yet whether the city will assume ownership of roads Ewa Plantation retirees or spouses can buy their existing residence for an estimated $100,000 that includes any necessary basic safety fixes This option also is offered to former Ewa Plantation retirees who no longer live at Varona and haven’t owned a home in three years as long as a current tenant isn’t displaced Such retirees also can buy a vacant Varona lot for $100,000 The same deal is offered to Varona residents who don’t have family ties to Ewa Plantation work if they have resided in Varona for over three years other people with or without connections to Ewa Plantation can be considered for homes they can participate in a community labor program with Habitat or arrange their own work Pfund said ties between Varona residents are expected to make the plan’s sweat equity component viable with relatives or friends pitching in for elderly residents “They have a strong community in Varona and will pull together,” Pfund said Savio said Habitat has packages expected to cost $350,000 to $400,000 excluding the lot price which should be 50% of normal cost because of sweat equity the developer will earn a 5% fee on the estimated $34 million project that includes developing a community center and paying the city $1.8 million for the land Savio said he expects everyone at Varona who wants to buy a home will be able to though if they can’t then they can continue renting This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page By Jayna Omaye 2 adopted Resolution 16-276 authorizing the marketing of Varona Village in Ewa and his family have waited decades for promised renovations at Varona Village died in 1986 before those plans came to fruition who lives with his mother at their Varona Village home said he hopes a recently adopted City Council resolution will advance redevelopment efforts allowing his mother to purchase her home at an affordable price “I remember my dad’s dying wish was that this house would be his legacy to his family,” said Esquibil who joined about 30 residents and community members many of whom donned green shirts printed with “Support Varona Village,” at a Nov “We have heard many a politician make only empty promises stating that we are a priority and our housing needs were their first priority I truly hope that decisions are made to make good on a promise to the humble community who stands here before you through patience and resilience over many which authorizes the marketing of the 26-acre property to potential buyers for redevelopment The resolution calls for issuing a request for proposals soliciting a detailed program to allow former plantation workers and their families to buy their homes at affordable rates or other options that allow them to remain at Varona Development at Varona would be limited to single-family residential units with no commercial development permitted The process to select a buyer would be sealed but the Council would need to approve the sale and development agreement The property has an assessed value of about $1.6 million which is the recommended minimum sale price The selected buyer would be responsible for all site and infrastructure improvements and could develop homes on vacant lots at market rate prices There are 46 single-family homes on the property 43 of which are rented within the 90-lot area Because Varona is listed on the state’s Registry of Historic Places redevelopment plans would also need to adhere to preservation standards a Varona resident whose husband worked as a plantation electrician said she would like to buy her home at an affordable price Barbieto pays $55 a month in rent and hopes the redevelopment efforts repair the homes and clear and clean up the abandoned houses and vacant lots as well as preserve the community’s plantation history “We’ve been waiting for it (redevelopment) for a long time We’ve been forgotten because things happened,” said Barbieto workers and their families between 1900 and the 1950s The city acquired Varona and nearby Tenney and Renton villages when Oahu Sugar The plantation workers were promised by the city that they could stay and rent their homes While Tenney and Renton have largely been renovated and sold to residents and other buyers redevelopment efforts at Varona have languished over the years Residents and officials compiled a report in 2013 that recommended constructing a community center and seeking private funding for redevelopment plans City officials met with residents this year to gather additional input The city plans to issue the request for proposals by the end of the month according to the city Department of Community Services Officials had initially said the RFP would be issued earlier this month but later said the city needed additional time to review the proposal The deadline to submit proposals would be 30 to 60 days after the RFP is issued The city would then need about two months to evaluate the proposals and get final approval from the Council said the city’s intent is to vet the proposals to ensure housing options are affordable “What really alarmed us was the number of tenants of record (former plantation workers and spouses) decreasing over time These are people that have been waiting for some time to have this come to fruition,” Nakata said “Just getting to this point is a huge hurdle and a major step forward They (residents) deserve to know that it’s getting done.” Ewa-area Councilman Ron Menor said it is a “historic moment” that the city is moving forward with redevelopment efforts “Promises were made to the community going back 20 years to previous administrations … that the city would move forward with the rehabilitation and the redevelopment of that community,” Menor said Varona Village has been a community that time has forgotten.” the daughter of a former plantation worker said she hopes the redevelopment of Varona will come to fruition for her parents Malate raised concerns over the affordability of the homes and stressed the importance of preserving the community’s historic character She added that she hopes there will be interested buyers who submit proposals “We hope that the right developers with an appreciation of what Varona means to Hawaii will come forward,” Malate said “The vision would be that it’s a place where they can feel the sense of community I really believe they (buyer and city) have a responsibility to honor the legacy By Nelson Daranciang Convicted in 2000 for stealing millions from the city’s Ewa Villages project The state says former city Housing Department employee Michael Kahapea has paid just $50 toward the $365,000 he was fined for stealing millions of dollars from the city’s ill-fated Ewa Villages project so it’s going after Kahapea’s state retirement payments for the rest The state attorney general filed a civil lawsuit in state court Wednesday against Kahapea and the state Employees’ Retirement System The lawsuit says Kahapea is believed to be receiving a state government pension based on his years working for the city It is seeking garnishment of Kahapea’s state pension for $364,950 plus 10 percent annual interest from the date of Kahapea’s October 2000 state court sentence The ERS says it cannot disclose to third parties whether someone is receiving state retirement benefits unless by court order Retired state Circuit Judge Randal Lee successfully prosecuted Kahapea on multiple counts of theft money laundering and other crimes before later becoming a state judge He said if Kahapea is receiving a state pension “I think there is something fundamentally wrong with someone being allowed to collect retirement benefits from the very people he stole from especially considering the egregious way in which he committed the crimes.” The ERS fund is built up on contributions from state and county workers A state jury found Kahapea guilty in August 2000 of 23 counts of theft five counts of unlawful ownership of a business two counts of failing to report income and one count of bribery Lee told the jury that Kahapea diverted $5.8 million from the Ewa Villages relocation fund to himself family and friends through bogus moving companies and false and inflated moving expenses He used the money on frequent trips to Las Vegas where casinos came to recognize him as a high roller and had even chartered a plane there for friends and family Circuit Judge Rey Graulty sentenced Kahapea to five consecutive 10-year prison terms did not order Kahapea to pay any restitution citing a state sentencing law that allowed judges to order restitution only “in an amount the defendant can afford to pay.” Lee had asked Graulty to order Kahapea to pay $3,734,169 in restitution directing judges “not to consider the defendant’s ability to make restitution in determining the amount of restitution to order.” Hawaii Paroling Authority Administrator Tommy Johnson says Kahapea became eligible for parole in 2012 but it wasn’t until May 2015 when the board granted him parole Kahapea or his lawyer could not be reached for comment By Andrew Gomes Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii has finished initial apartments in a 149-unit rental complex for low-income seniors at Ewa Villages after a long struggle to develop the $40 million project Tenants are expected to begin moving into the first building is slated to be done by May at a rate of roughly one building per month The completion of Franciscan Vistas Ewa will fulfill a nearly decade-old plan by the nonprofit organization to provide affordable housing and services for Hawaii’s ballooning population of seniors Though not an assisted-living community with medical services Franciscan Vistas is touted by the developer as the first affordable-housing community for seniors in Hawaii integrated with health and wellness programs such as fitness and educational activities » Location: Ewa Villages » Tenant restrictions: Must be at least 62 years old and earn no more than 60 percent of the median annual income for Honolulu or $41,760 for a single person or $47,700 for a family of two » Rent: $745 a month for one-bedroom units; $885 for two-bedroom units » Contact: Call 681-4000 or visit stfrancishawaii.org "Franciscan Vistas Ewa is a model community of the Sisters of St Francis where affordable housing meets wellness," said Pamela Witty-Oakland Francis Healthcare’s development affiliate "We’re enhancing the health of older adults where they will be able to enjoy the health and wellness amenities of condo living." Francis Healthcare announced conceptual plans in 2002 for an affordable senior rental project at Ewa Villages The original plan was to build 300 senior rentals on 23 acres acquired from the city Construction was expected to begin in mid-2003 But there were some difficulties completing the purchase which was achieved in 2003 with help from a federal grant and the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation in part because of soaring construction costs during the residential real estate boom The developer said it needed to convert half the project to homes for sale at market prices to subsidize the senior rentals Construction was expected to begin in 2007 but financing difficulties dragged out the timetable Construction of the rental apartments eventually began in January after financing was obtained from private lenders the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and the state agency Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp comprising 71 clustered single-family homes and 72 townhomes for sale There is no estimate for when this part of the project will begin rental units are reserved for tenants 62 and older with household incomes no more than 60 percent of Honolulu’s median annual income Monthly rent is $745 for 530-square-foot units with one bedroom and $885 for 750-square-foot units with two bedrooms Amenities include a community center and fitness and education programs Francis Healthcare said applications are available through property manager Prudential Locations for about 100 available units There are already qualified tenants for the first two buildings Hawaii Catholic Herald 03/15/2013 by Keiki and kupuna now have a place in Ewa where both can go every day for supervision Francis Intergenerational Center in Ewa Villages The $8 million center provides under one roof both a preschool and daycare for the elderly Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii offers shared experiences for the young and the old Also present at the dedication ceremony were Gov director of the department of community services for Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell Francis of the Neumann Communities and a St the center offers relief to families “stretched to the limit” because of “greater demands at work and longer commute times.” Francis Intergenerational Center nurtures these families while also providing opportunities for kupuna and keiki to share mutually enriching experiences together,” she said Francis Healthcare have been advocates of intergenerational care in Hawaii for 17 years The Franciscan Adult Day Center in Manoa has provided a safe environment that promotes the well-being of its participants since 1996 Its activities include intergenerational learning experiences “older adults can share their knowledge and life experiences with young children while the children bring joy for the older adults “It’s a win-win situation for both generations,” she said The adult day center will serve up to 42 adults a day with companionship and help with daily activities while offering respite for their regular caregivers combines Montessori and traditional teaching methods and serves up to 88 children The 15,000-square-foot center was built on a 1.25-acre site at 91-1758 Oohao Street across the street from Franciscan Vistas Ewa Francis Healthcare senior independent living community Meandering paths can accommodate wheelchairs as well as tricycles Classrooms filled with Amish children’s furniture have whimsical ceiling tiles decorated with marine life and things that fly The center’s energy-saving features include high-efficiency air conditioning occupancy controlled lights and air hand dryers chef Elmer Guzman oversees the preparation of lunch and snacks Construction of the intergenerational center has been financed primarily through government grants and donations from local foundations These include a lead gift of $2 million from The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program awarded by the City and County of Honolulu and $1 million from the State of Hawaii’s grant-in-aid program Joseph & Vera Long Foundation and numerous individual donors For more information about the adult day care or preschool call 681-0100 or visit stfrancishawaii.org Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: , Copyright © 2025 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in