The National Park Service is looking to lease some housing in Hawai'i that can be used by Haleakalā National Park employees.
Affordable employee housing is one of the biggest issues the Park Service is facing. The advent of homeowners renting out their houses to tourists has driven rental prices ever upward near national parks. At Haleakalā, the Park Service hopes to lease three- or more bedroom houses or apartments (furnished, unfurnished, or partially furnished) with full kitchens, bathroom(s), and living/dining space to house between two to seven national park employees. More than one lease may be negotiated to meet the total need.
Kitchens must have a gas or electric range, refrigerator, kitchen sink, and microwave oven. Lessor must provide utilities (water, sewer, heat, electricity, and trash removal) and parking and facility maintenance. Single-family homes must include a washer and dryer. Apartments or multiplex units must provide washers and dryers in each unit or in a shared laundry room accessible to all tenants. Properties must be located within 50 miles of Haleakalā National Park headquarters at mile marker 11 on Crater Road, Kula.
The park requires the ability to lease units for one year, with the potential to renew on a yearly basis. Registration by lessor in SAM.gov will be required to lease to the government. The park hopes to have agreements signed by June 2024 for the leasing period.
Comments
Haleakala is indeed a difficult housing market. Hard to recruit and retain qualified candidates for park employment since the park is at the top of a volcano, in a resort area, with near highest gas prices in the nation, no public transportation, and the park is relatively small in acerage as far as National Parks go. However, in years past, when funding was found, the park had a CCC camp with a full Dining Facility and barracks. During WWII the US Army had a complete post within the park with Barracks and offices and DFAC which was converted to a hotel after the war. The Kipahulu District of the park includes a 7 acre non-contiguous parcel donated by the Nature Conservancy that was intended for staff housing and admin site. This lot is still unused after 25+ years and overgrown with alien vegetation. Some problems the park faces are the result of decisions made (or not made) by previous managers, many are funding related, and several are from lack of initiative, vision and political will.