First Four Families Receive Homes in Kamakoa Nui

Four families today received keys to the new homes at Kamakoa Nui, a workforce housing project created by the county near Waikoloa Village.

Priced between $235,000 and $350,000, the homes at Kamakoa Nui are being offered to Big Island families with household incomes of up to 140% of the area’s median annual income. That translates to $97,440 for a family of four.

Habitat for Humanity has purchased four of the project’s homes which will allow families with lower incomes to qualify for home ownership.

A key ceremony held today at Kamakoa Nui included remarks from county Managing Director Wally Lau, Housing & Community Development Administrator Stephen Arnett and a blessing by Pastor Lani Larrua of Abundant Life Ministries in Waikoloa, the county said in a statement.

Those moving into the new homes included Gerry Durante and Shyanne Parong, who along with their two sons had outgrown their two-bedroom, two-bath apartment.

“We were interested in this project since the early stages,” Parong said. “It’s been a long process, but we’re glad it’s done. We finally have a place to call home.”

The first phase of the $44 million low-income housing project will consist of 91 homes Kamakua Nui is expected to eventually contain up to 1,200 fee-simple homes and rentals.

Initiated as Kamakoa in Waikoloa in 2004, disputes over funding and other aspects of the development led the county to take the original developer, UniDev, to court and to eventually take control over the project .