Draft EA Published for Proposed Youth Center and Agricultural Training Project

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has published a draft Environmental Assessment for a proposed Youth Center and Agricultural Training site in Anahola.

In January 2019, Kūkulu Kumuhana O Anahola (KKOA) submitted a land use request to DHHL to develop the Ulupono Anahola Project, a youth center and agricultural training garden. The Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) granted KKOA a five-year license agreement for a 10-acre site in Anahola at its November 2021 regular meeting.

KKOA is a non-profit that deters youth suicide through traditional Hawaiian cultural practices, sustainable agricultural endeavors, and community and ‘ohana engagement. The proposed Ulupono Anahola Project would house a youth center, a traditional Hawaiian Hale Halawai, a Maori-inspired Marae, a kitchen and processing area, and a co-op space to prepare agricultural products from the site. The project envisions the cultivation of traditional foods and medicinal plants, including ʻōlena, ginger, kalo, and ‘ulu.

DHHL held a Beneficiary Consultation meeting on Aug. 7, 2019, where the community voiced broad support for the project. KKOA received comments that were incorporated into the Draft EA and project design. The Beneficiary Consultation report was accepted unanimously by HHC on September 16, 2019.

KKOA presented its draft EA to HHC at its Aug. 16 regular meeting and published the draft EA in The Environmental Notice periodical on Aug. 23. A public comment period for the draft EA will conclude on Sept. 23.

To learn more about the Ulupono Anahola Project and view the draft EA, visit dhhl.hawaii.gov/po/kauai.