On October 1, the Nareit Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to the nonprofit Residential Youth Services & Empowerment (RYSE) to support its ongoing renovation of Hale Koko, a seven-unit, two-story building in Makiki that will serve as a safe transitional home for former foster youths and young adults with children.
RYSE received the building as a donation from State Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto. Hale Koko is being thoroughly refurbished, with key improvements being the installation of a new electrical system, new plumbing, new kitchen cabinets, and new windows to create a safe, secure, livable, and dignified home environment for the youths and young families to thrive, build their self-confidence, become more independent, and work toward a better future.
The renovation work is targeted for completion by year’s end. Hale Koko will provide 12 beds total with each of the seven units having individual bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas, allowing the youths and young families to escape homelessness and live in a stable and nurturing housing situation. A full-time, live-in kupuna will provide guidance, advice, and moral support in a structured home setting. RYSE will operate Hale Koko and, with support from agencies like Hale Kipa and Epic Ohana, ensure the residents receive the supportive care services needed to strive for their goals in life. Hale Koko’s location in Makiki is also ideal, being within walking distance to schools, grocery and retail stores, and access to public transportation.
RYSE Executive Director Carla Houser said, “Ending homelessness begins with providing more affordable homes and a compassionate living environment. Representative Iwamoto is deeply committed to the need for affordable housing, and we are extremely grateful for her generosity in allowing us to establish this caring-based facility that will be a source for great, positive energy and hope for the future. We also thank the Nareit Foundation for believing in our efforts with Hale Koko, as this grant is what help makes the work possible to solve homelessness among our youths.”
The Nareit Foundation grant is being utilized by RYSE to complete the renovation work and help make Hale Koko a more stable and permanent home environment for the residents. Nareit President and CEO Steve Wechsler applauded the commitment of RYSE to end homelessness among teens and young adults coping with challenging life situations. “Breaking the cycle of homelessness starts with giving young people a safe and stable place to live, to grow, and to know they can make a better life for themselves,” Wechsler said. “The Nareit Foundation is proud to support RYSE and the admirable work they are accomplishing with Hale Koko.”
Nareit Hawaii Executive Director Gladys Quinto Marrone added, “RYSE is providing our young people with a solid foundation to build upon and move their life forward in a goal-oriented direction. The stability that RYSE and Hale Koko provide will improve many young lives for many years to come and, with that, we become a stronger community. ”
Nareit Foundation Awards Grants to Three Additional Nonprofits
Along with the grant presented to RYSE, the Nareit Foundation today announced the awarding of three additional grants to nonprofits in support of their efforts to provide affordable housing for residents in need on Maui, Hawaii Island, and Oahu.
Habitat for Humanity Maui: $100,000
Habitat for Humanity Maui is rebuilding affordable homes in Lahaina that were under construction when destroyed by the devastating wildfires that swept through the community in August 2023. These homes are being rebuilt by Habitat workers and volunteers to provide permanent, affordable homes supporting moderate- to low-income Lahaina families needing access to good, safe, and reliable housing. The Nareit Foundation grant will help complete the construction of four affordable homes by Habitat for Humanity Maui that will house approximately 20 residents and allow these Lahaina families to build a life in their community.
HOPE Services Hawai‘i: $78,000
HOPE Services Hawai‘i is renovating the Kani Lea apartment complex in Kailua-Kona, which will provide a safe and secure home setting for low-income individuals and seniors experiencing homelessness, at imminent risk of being homeless, or living in unstable and unsafe housing situations. HOPE Services Hawai‘i purchased the property in March 2025, which will provide housing for 22 residents living in West Hawaii. The Nareit Foundation grant is being utilized to help support critical repairs and infrastructure improvements that are being made, which includes roofing repairs, plumbing and electrical upgrades, and basement and foundation reinforcement.
Family Promise of Hawai‘i: $70,000
Family Promise of Hawai‘i is making capital repairs to a 20-unit affordable housing property near downtown Honolulu that is currently home to 70 low-income residents, including children. The repairs will address health and safety concerns, address building code compliance, and improve the overall living environment for the residents. The Nareit Foundation grant will fund building repairs directly benefiting the residents’ day-to-day safety and quality of life, such as preventing water intrusion and the potential for mold or structural damage, reducing fire and safety hazards, addressing fall-risk hazards in common areas, protecting the facility’s structural integrity, and improving its safety and accessibility.
Grants Provided Through the Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative
The grants are funded by the Nareit Foundation, a Section 501(c)(3) organization, and REITs operating in Hawaii as part of the Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative, which supports nonprofit affordable housing projects. REITs are long-term property holders that own, renovate and manage affordable housing projects, commercial buildings, shopping centers, medical office buildings, logistical spaces and warehouses for small businesses, cell phone towers, public storage facilities, and hotels.
