NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS March 25, 2024 County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 961-8379 These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the County of Hawaii. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about April 15, 2024, the County of Hawaii will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Project Funding (CPF) funds administered under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), to undertake a project known as Hilo Memorial Hospital Reroofing&Selective Interior Demolition for the purpose of 1) providing a welcoming facility within the Old Hilo Memorial Hospital building where individuals experiencing homelessness feel safe, nurtured, and respected, and where those who face great challenges realize their value and self-worth; 2) providing a space within the Old Hilo Memorial Hospital building for a multi-organization/multi-agency approach to help reduce the number of homeless individuals and couples without children in the Hilo and greater East Hawaii region; and 3) providing social services and programs within the Old Hilo Memorial Hospital building to help transition emergency shelter individuals to permanent supportive housing and/or affordable housing programs to meet State and County homeless housing goals. The proposed action involves the further renovation of an existing building, the Old Hilo Memorial Hospital. A portion of the Old Hilo Memorial Hospital was renovated and is operated as the Keolahou Shelter and Assessment Center providing 25 emergency shelter beds for men, case management, and other resources. The proposed federal action includes utilizing HUD funds for reroofing, removing any hazardous materials, and selective demolition of portions of the interior. HUD funding will also be awarded for the further renovation of the existing building, including repairs to the exterior walls, window replacement, and preparing the interior for future tenant finish projects. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The County of Hawaii has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) which will be posted on the HUD Exchange website. The ERR may be viewed and/or downloaded online at URL Link: https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews, or upon request via email to royce.shiroma@hawaiicounty.gov or contact Royce Shiroma by calling (808) 961-8379. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development, Attn: Royce Shiroma, 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawaii 96720; royce.shiroma@hawaiicounty.gov. Reference the project by name: Hilo Memorial Hospital Reroofing&Selective Interior Demolition. All comments received by April 9, 2024, will be considered by the County of Hawaii prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The County of Hawaii certifies to HUD that Mayor Mitch Roth, in his capacity as Mayor of the County of Hawaii, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the County of Hawaii to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the County of Hawaii’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the County of Hawaii; (b) the County of Hawaii has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Honolulu Field Office at CPDHonolulu@hud.gov or addressed to 1003 Bishop Street, Suite 2100, Honolulu, HI 96813. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Mayor Mitch D. Roth County of Hawaii (HTH/WHT1449320 3/25/24)