JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Alan Mark, president of Faith Action for Community Equity, made a point as moderator Annelle Amaral, left, looked on during a town meeting last night for Kukui Gardens residents held at Kauluwela Elementary School. The residents are worried about the impending sale of the property, which could leave hundreds without affordable homes.

Renters demand information about buyer

Low-income residents fear losing their units

About 800 residents and supporters clamored for answers last night about who is buying Kukui Gardens housing complex and whether the units will remain affordable.

A Kukui Gardens Corp. representative said a confidentiality agreement prevents the company from divulging the name of the potential buyer until it does a complete review of the books and property.

However, company real estate consultant Steve Gilley said the purchaser is a for-profit corporation.

Residents -- many elderly, Cantonese-speaking and some Korean-speaking -- held homemade signs with chopstick handles that said, "Keep Affordable Kukui Gardens."

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM A woman held one of the flags distributed at a meeting for residents called by the owners of Kukui Gardens last night.

The Kukui Gardens Corp. and the Clarence Ching Foundation held the town meeting last night at Kauluwela Elementary School, with Cantonese and Korean interpreters.

"Please keep selling Kukui Gardens to nonprofit organization," said Yui Tung Ng, a Cantonese-speaking resident. "Continue the service to the poor people."

When asked about offers, Gilley replied that none of the 17 was from nonprofit corporations.

Faith Action for Community Equity President Alan Mark, a pastor at Kilohana United Methodist Church, stood up and countered that his organization had worked with several community development corporations interested in buying the property and keeping it affordable.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Jason Zanzai expressed frustration last night as he and other Kukui Gardens residents asked about the project's sale.

He promised them that if the 857-unit Kukui Gardens does not remain affordable after 2011 -- when an agreement to keep housing affordable will end -- the state will condemn the project under a bill pending in the Legislature.

He said the state does not want to see the homeless population increase.

Resident Sylvia Inlio asked Lawrence Ching, son of Clarence T.C. Ching, who built the 857-unit rental complex on Liliha Street: "Tell us why you and your brother feel so different, why you need to sell and he doesn't?"

"Your father wanted it affordable for the Chinese, the Hawaiians, all of us. ... Where are all of us supposed to go? Rich people are buying up the islands. Why are you all about selling, but your brother ... is not?"

Brother Wallace Ching opposes the sale, saying it will harm the low-income families his father was trying to help.

HUD officials have said any buyer must abide by the terms of that agreement and keep the housing affordable until 2011. Gilley said the potential buyer is willing to discuss and consider long-term options beyond 2011.