More than five years ago, Nishikawa, principal with the national award-winning firm, Architectural Design & Construction Inc. and Kula Ridge LLC, began planning Kula Ridge, a 48-acre, 116-lot master planned community designed for Maui’s working families and seniors.
If approved by the Maui County Council next week, Nishikawa said the new community would provide affordable and senior affordable housing to island residents, not to mention much-needed jobs for the local construction industry. “This project would bring about $35 million into the local economy,” he said. “But more importantly, teachers, police officers, fire fighters and nurses—the backbone of our community—would be able to afford a home in Kula.”
On Wednesday, Aug. 18, the Maui County Council will review the project to decide on a change in zoning through the State of Hawai‘i’s 201-H approval process, which allows for certain exemptions from zoning requirements for projects that provide a minimum of 51 percent affordable housing. The 48-acre parcel property is currently zoned Interim, with Community Plan Designations of Single-Family and Rural.
Nishikawa is optimistic that the project will go forward as planned, and hopes to soon hand over 116 keys to the future residents of Kula Ridge. “I’m hoping the council will approve the zoning changes so we can get this project started,” he said.
The project, he said, will create affordable housing for Maui’s families and its workforce. While most of Maui’s affordable, or workforce, housing is located in more densely populated areas like Kahului and Wailuku, Nishikawa wants to extend the same opportunity to Upcountry Maui and its residents.
Kalama couldn’t be happier. “Kula is a perfect place for affordable housing. Kula resides high in the mountains with the perfect, relaxed country environment. The opportunity to raise a family in this type of environment is remarkable and breathtaking,” he said. “This is what we need, an affordable housing project that is designed to respect and maintain the rural lifestyle of Kula.” Kalama isn’t alone. Hundreds of families have already added their names to a waiting list for the project, and it’s very likely more will follow—especially those inching closer to retirement.
As the only certified, aging-in-place specialist in Maui County, Nishikawa designed more than 30 “age-restricted,” affordable age-in-place homes for senior residents at Kula Ridge. The plans for the “walkable and sustainable” neighborhood is ideal for both retirees and working families, featuring a three-acre park, comfort station, plenty of open space (which buffers existing neighborhoods) and a greenway trail that snakes around 32 acres of the property.
However, not everyone supports the Kula Ridge project, with many citing concerns that the development will disrupt the pastoral landscape and character of the area. But looking at the renderings for the nine distinctive home plans, which range from “gap group” to “affordable,” it’s nearly impossible to tell which of the home designs fall into the latter category. “That was our intention,” said Nishikawa with a smile. “We are bringing a quality of housing that Maui has never seen before.”
According to Nishikawa, the Kula Ridge project has completed all required Environmental Assessment reports, and has consulted with governmental agencies and acquired the project’s Archaeological inventory approvals from the State Historic Preservation Division. All that remains is the council’s decision next week.
Ask any architect, and it’s likely they’ll tell you they have an unfulfilled vision. For Nishikawa, it has always been Kula Ridge. “I wanted to design affordable homes coming out of architecture school,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to give back to the community,” he said, “and this is my chance.”
If you are interested in signing up for affordable housing in the proposed Kula Ridge project, you must meet the affordable income requirements set forth by the County of Maui and the State of Hawai‘i. In addition, qualified applicants must be residents of Hawai‘i; be at least 18 years of age; must live in the home; cannot own a home or real property; and must comply with all county and state affordable home requirements.
For more information about the Kula Ridge Project, call 986-8300, email info@kularidgemaui.com or visit www.kularidgemaui.com.
