MCB HAWAII, MANANA HOUSING, PEARL CITY, Hawaii -- Manana Housing residents should expect major improvements to the quality of life within the next two years, some of which were explained during the Manana Housing Town Hall meeting Dec. 10.
"Manana is the base's number one priority for housing right now," said Jo Park, MCB Hawaii housing director.
Attendees and speakers during the meeting included Brig. Gen. Jerry C. McAbee, commanding general of MCB Hawaii and representatives from the MCB Hawaii Provost Marshal's Office, MCB Hawaii Family Housing Depart-ment and Marine Corps Community Services.
The plans call for a Public-Private Venture to revamp Manana Housing within three years. The contract will be awarded in fiscal year 2005 with construction starting Oct. 1, 2005. Floor plans have already been designed for the new family quarters.
Some of the other new features expected aboard the Manana community include a new gas station with two gas pumps and an expanded 7-Day Store. The Manana 7-Day Store will increase by 40 percent, up to 20,000 square feet.
In the April town hall meeting, some residents questioned whether Manana housing units would be considered "substandard."
During the 1970s, under a special authorization by the United States Congress, some military family housing units were designated as "substandard." The residents of these quarters were provided with partial basic allowance for housing to make up for the substandard living conditions. There have been no new additions to the designated substandard government housing list since the authorization.
There are a large number of houses around the Department of Defense equal to or worse than Manana, said Park. "[Manana] Houses are equal to what's available in the local community when all of the amenities are included," explained Park.
Other issues addressed by residents and speakers: the services provided by MCCS OneSource, housing maintenance, child supervision, driving regulations and housing security and safety aboard Manana.