Community group asks DHHL to press for halt to Kahal development over flooding, encroachment and cultural impacts

Representatives of Ponolu Olu Community Advocacy ʻOhana told the DHHL commission that construction related to the Kahal project has encroached on neighboring parcels, caused new flooding and removed trees that provided food for beneficiaries.

"They actually dug about 12 feet down just to put in their piping... the wall, the retaining wall is already cracking," Kella said during a slide presentation and showed photos the group submitted with their packet. She described damaged papaya and avocado trees, 23 acres of clearing beyond the project TMK and said some beneficiaries were unable to obtain flood insurance because FEMA flood lines included their yards.

Kella asked DHHL to help beneficiaries obtain mediation with developers and other agencies, recommended pausing permits for the parcel, and requested DHHL request testing of fill dirt brought onto the site. DHHL staff said the parcel in question is not a DHHL parcel and recommended the community pursue recourse with the Department of Land and Natural Resources while DHHL would review the concerns and accept written requests.

The exchange highlighted interagency jurisdictional limits and underscored beneficiaries’ requests for improved transparency, inspections and community‑level mediation to address potential damage to homestead parcels adjoining the development.