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OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

East Hawai‘i:  50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, HI 96720-2456
(808) 961-8379 | Fax: (808) 961-8685

West Hawai‘i: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg B, 2nd Floor, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808) 323-4300  | Fax: (808) 323-4301

Section 8 Division: 1990 Kino`ole Street, Suite 105, Hilo, HI 96720-5293
(808) 959-4642 | Fax: (808) 959-9308

Email: ohcd@hawaiicounty.gov (Main office) | sec8info@hawaiicounty.gov (Section 8 Division)

DESCRIPTION: The Office of Housing and Community Development is responsible for the planning, administration and operation of all of the County of Hawai‘i’s housing programs such as the Section 8 rental assistance for qualified families. Its overall goal is to provide for the development of viable communities in Hawaii County by providing decent housing, suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities.

 

HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR:  Neil S. Gyotoku

NEIL S. GYOTOKU is a graduate of Honokaa High School and received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of Hawai`i at Manoa.  He has been in government service for over 35 years.

  • Began his career at the Office of Housing and Community Development and started the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program;
  • Served as the Logistics and Supply Officer at the Hawai`i County Civil Defense Agency;
  • Served as the Area Manager for the State of Hawai`i Hawaii Housing Authority;
  • Worked in the State of Hawai`i Department of Human Services; and
  • Served as the Plans and Operations Officer at the Hawai`i County Civil Defense Agency.

 

ASST. HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR:  Lance M. Niimi

LANCE M. NIIMI is a graduate of Hilo High School, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo.  He received his Masters in Social Work degree from the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, in the specialty of Child and Family Welfare.  Mr. Niimi was employed as a Juvenile Probation Officer for the Family Court of the Third Circuit for 9 years, after which he was employed with the Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center for 27 years, the last 25 years as a Unit Manager for the Hilo Unit.  Mr. Niimi has been a life long supporter of the Island of Hawai`i YMCA and the Hilo Y’s Men and Women’s Club, which sponsors the annual Y’s Men Christmas Tree Sale in Hilo.

 

PRIVATE SECRETARY:  Amy M. Bautista

AMY M. BAUTISTA is a graduate of Waianae High School and moved to Hilo in 2007.  Ms. Bautista began her 15+ year career in the legal field at Kobayashi Sugita & Goda (on Oahu) as a receptionist and advanced her career, up to Legal Secretary.  Upon moving to Hilo, she held the position of Legal Assistant to Senior Partner at the Law Firm of Crudele & De Lima, before joining the County of Hawai`i in 2015 with the Office of Corporation Counsel as a Legal Clerk III.  She then was promoted to a Legal Technicial I before departing the Office of Corporation Counsel to join the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) in December 2016.  Amy is humbled at the opportunity to serve in this position and is excited to be a part of the many positive things happening in the OHCD

Latest Information:

Agendas:

Public Notices:

Plans:

Reports:

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program: 

  • 2017 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Proposal Packet (PDF Version)

    •  

    Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8)

    Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program:

    Homeownership Option Program (HOP):

    Residential Repair Program (RRP):

     

     

    WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

    On July 22, 2014, President Barack Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) into law.  This law supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  It is the first legislative reform of the public workforce system in over 15 years.

    WIOA recognizes that the development of employment and training programs must serve our business community as much as it is important to serve our unemployed/underemployed community.  The key is making this connection.

    WIOA is a federally funded program that helps individuals acquire the skills and job-driven training employers need by providing job seekers and workers, access to employment, education, training and support services.

     

    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING RESOURCES

    Public Law No. 113-128

    WIOA Overview

    WIOA Fact Sheets

    WIOA Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) and Training and Employment Notice (TEN)

     

    FINAL REGULATIONS

     The U.S. Department of Labor and Education has issued five (5) rules implementing WIOA.

       Programs and Activities Authorized by the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Title II of the WIOA) - Final Rule

       State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program; State Supported Employment Services Program; Limitations on Use of Subminimum Wage

       WIOA - Department of Labor Only - Final Rule

       WIOA - Joint Rule for Unified and Combined State Plans; Performance Accountability, and the One-Stop System Joint Provisions - Final Rule

       WIOA Miscellaneous Program Changes - Final Rule

     

    GUIDANCE AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

    State of Hawai`i Workforce Development Council

        Unified State Plan

        Local Area Plan Guidance

    WIOA Bulletins (Workforce Development Council requirements)

    Hawai`i Workforce Infonet (Local labor information)

     

    HAWAI`I COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

    The mission of the Hawai`i County Workforce Development Board (HCWDB) is to promote the development of a highly competent and productive workforce by coordinating the efforts of educational institutions, labor, business, economic development organizations, government agencies and the entire community in order to sustain a strong economy and lifestyle.

    While the Mayor is responsible for appointing the Board’s members, if your local business organization or business trade association would like to nominate someone for the HCWDB, please contact Office of Housing and Community Development, County of Hawai`i, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i  96720, Phone (808) 961-8379, Fax (808) 961-8685, Email:  ohcdwia@hawaiicounty.gov.

     

    HCWDB MEMBER INFORMATION

    HCWDB By-Laws Approved 08-16-2016

    Board Member Responsibilities

    HCWDB Draft Rules of Practice and Procedure

    State of Hawai`i Sunshine Law Guide

      HCWDB Local Area Plan

            Newspaper Posting

          Draft WIOA Local Area Plan 2017-20, updated 08/30/16

          HCWDB Local Area Plan 2017-2020

          HCWDB Local Area Plan 2017-2020, updated 05/31/17

          County of Hawai`i WIOA Local Area Plan 2013-2017

      HCWDB Agendas and Meeting Packets

          February 23, 2016 HCWDB Meeting Agenda

          HCWDB Meeting Packet 02/23/16

          April 26, 2016 HCWDB Meeting Agenda

          HCWDB Meeting Packet 04/26/16

          August 16, 2016 HCWDB Meeting Agenda

          HCWDB Meeting Packet 08/16/16

          November 16, 2016 HCWDB Meeting Agenda

          HCWDB Meeting Packet 11/16/16

          February 14, 2017 HCWDB Meeting Agenda

          HCWDB Meeting Packet 02/14/17

          June 6, 2017 HCWDB Meeting Agenda

          HCWDB Meeting Packet 06/06/17

     

    YOUTH PROGRAMS

    Goodwill Industries of Hawai`i, Ola I Ka Hana Program, 500 Kalaniana`ole Avenue, Suite 3, Hilo, Hawai`i, 96720, Phone:  (808) 443-5863

    Hawai`i Youth Service Directory

     

    ADULT & DISLOCATED WORKER PROGRAMS

    Workforce Development Division, Hawai`i Island, 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawai`i, 96720, Phone: (808) 981-2860

     

    ADMINISTRATIVE ENTITY/OVERSIGHT

    Office of Housing and Community Development, County of Hawai`i, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i, 96720, Phone:  (808) 961-8379

     

     

    Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

          HUD VAWA Final Rule

         HCV Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

         HCV VAWA Certification Form

     

     

    Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in Housing

    In the State of Hawai‘i, it is illegal to Discriminate Against Any Person Because of Religion, Color, Sex, Ancestry/National origin, Age, Marital status, Disability, Race, Familial status, HIV infection, Sex or Sexual orientation.

    If you believe you been denied housing because of your:  Age, Ancestry/National origin, Color, Disability, Familial status, HIV infection, Marital status, Race, Religious beliefs, Sex, or Sexual orientation,

    please contact the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) (808) 974-4000 (enter extension 68636#);

    - or -

    Print out a questionnaire form, complete it and mail to:

    Hawai`i Civil Rights Commission
    Princess Ke`elikolani Building
    830 Punchbowl Street, Room 411
    Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813

    Fax to: (808) 586-8655

    *The Commission does not handle any unfair treatment that is not due to one or more of the above reasons.

    - or -

    Print out a complaint form, complete it, and mail it to:

    Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
    Department of Housing and Urban Development
    Room 5204
    451 Seventh St. SW
    Washington, DC 20410-2000

    Toll free at: 1 (800) 374-3247

     

    Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions based on:

    • Color
    • Disability
    • Familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18)
    • National origin
    • Race
    • Religion
    • Sex

    REMEMBER: IT IS ILLEGAL FOR AN OWNER OR ANY OTHER PERSON ENGAGING IN A REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTION, OR FOR A REAL ESTATE BROKER OR SALESPERSON TO RETALIATE AGAINST YOU FOR FILING A COMPLAINT OR FOR CONTACTING THIS COMMISSION.

     

    Fair Housing Enforcement Program - Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i

    This program also offers statewide services to victims of housing discrimination, regardless of their income or assets. If you believe that you are a victim of illegal housing discrimination, please call 1 (866) 527-FAIR (1-866-527-3247).

    If you have additional questions or need assistance in completing any of the complaint forms, please call the Office of Housing and Community Development at (808) 961-8379.

    Fair Housing Resources:

     

    EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY