Most of the attention on the Hawaii Community Development Authority has been focused on the agency’s plans for Kakaako. But the agency is also making strides to develop Kalaeloa in west Oahu.

The zoning and planning committee of the neighborhood board for Makakilo and Kapolei met Monday evening to discuss the latest project proposal, which would create housing for 50 homeless veterans and non-veterans.

The developer Cloudbreak Inc. already operates a veterans’ residence in the area. Charles Patterson from Cloudbreak said the existing 80-bed residence is at capacity and has a long waiting list.

Keoni Dudley, the committee’s chairman, said the group unanimously approved the plan on Monday evening largely because the existing program has been successful.

But he added: “In general there’s a feeling in the area and certainly among some of the members that we’ve had too many of the cast-off kind of projects. We’re awful tired of getting dumped on with the projects no one wants,” he said.

The neighborhood has also been tapped as a potential site for homeless shelters and a biohazard lab, Dudley said.

State and city officials say development in Kalaeloa has been slow because of problems with infrastructure in the area.

Because the area used to be a naval base, many of the streets don’t conform to city standards, according to Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting Director George Atta.

Atta said the city has been reluctant to take over the aging sewer system as well.

HCDA has already held one public hearing dedicated to the Cloudbreak project. A decision-making hearing is scheduled for Dec. 6.

Courtesy of Hawaii Community Development Authority

— Anita Hofschneider