The Nareit Foundation has awarded a $150,000 grant to the nonprofit HomeAid Hawai‘i to support Kīpūola Kauhale in Kahului, the first kauhale community being built for formerly homeless residents in the County of Maui.
Located at the corner of Hana Highway and Mayor Elmer Carvalho Way, Kīpūola Kauhale will be comprised of 125 tiny homes to house Maui residents, who will also benefit from access to shared kitchens and dining areas, facilities for safe hygiene, and community spaces for gatherings. Onsite property and case management support will be provided by HomeAid Hawai‘i and nonprofit partners.
HomeAid Hawai‘i Executive Director Kimo Carvalho expressed the nonprofit’s gratitude for the support the grant provides in addressing homelessness on Maui. Carvalho said, “This donation strengthens our ability to demonstrate a community first village model that is essential to breaking cycles of poverty.
“Most importantly, it demonstrates how we are developing innovative housing solutions to achieve deep affordability for Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable communities. Partnerships like this are essential in creating real change, and we appreciate Nareit Hawaii’s leadership in being part of the solution.”
Scheduled for completion later this year, Kīpūola Kauhale will help with providing available affordable housing on Maui, a situation that was worsened significantly by the loss of more than 2,000 homes and buildings due to the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire. The kauhale model is rooted in the Hawaiian tradition of communal living and creating an environment where people experiencing homelessness can live in a community setting that offers mutual support, encouragement and understanding.
Although Kīpūola Kauhale is considered to be permanent housing, occupants are expected to live in the tiny homes for an average of 1-2 years, as they use the kauhale community and resources provided by HomeAid Hawai‘i as a pathway to secure their own housing and live independently.
The Nareit Foundation grant will be utilized to help create a community pavilion and food service hub where the residents can gather, cook meals, engage in programming, and work at re-entering society.
Nareit Hawaii Executive Director Gladys Quinto Marrone commented, “We’re proud to partner with HomeAid Hawai‘i on this crucially important affordable housing project that will be helping a lot of people needing support to get back on their feet and re-establish the life they want to lead on Maui.”
