Amid Pandemic, HomeAid Hawai‘i Completes State’s First Master-Planned Kauhale for Homelessness: Kama’okū

Building Industry Sponsored Non-Profit Builds Permanent Homes for Neighbors in Need

Honolulu, HI (November 16, 2021) – Lieutenant Governor Josh Green announces the dedication of the State’s first master-planned kauhale to address homelessness.

Located in Kalaeloa, the kauhale is a “pocket” or micro-community comprised of 37 homes, community farming gardens, an outdoor multi-purpose pavilion, barbecue cabana, storage facility, community kitchen, medical clinic, lounge, community center that provides bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and open spaces to enjoy the outdoors or allow for future expansion.

“We are thrilled to have HomeAid Hawaii as a partner in building the State’s first kauhale. This village will be one of many, providing not only shelter, but a sense of community for those struggling with homelessness,” said Lt. Gov. Josh Green.

HomeAid Hawaii was chosen to develop the kauhale’s 37 homes. Nineteen of the homes, including various materials, labor and building industry expertise were donated by HomeAid Hawaii. Preliminary analysis finds that for every $1 donated to HomeAid Hawaii for Kama’okū, they secured $8 in donated work from the building industry, local builders, housing industry professionals, and related partners.

“Leveraging our donations and relationships in the building industry is how we can get an 800% ROI for a project like this saving critically needed resources for other programmatic purposes. Let’s say Ann donated $100 to HomeAid for Kama’okū. As a result of significant discounts or donations on materials from industry partners, that $100 became $800 and we were able to completely furnish 1.5 homes with her $100 donation,” said Nani Medeiros, Executive Director of HomeAid Hawaii.

“An important distinction for Kama’okū is that it is a permanent community, not an emergency or transitional shelter that people will have to leave after a certain time. It was important to me that HomeAid Hawaii took the next step in our work and built permanent housing inventory to address the homelessness crisis,” added Harry Saunders, Board President of HomeAid Hawaii and President & CEO of Castle and Cooke Homes HI, Inc.

The State has selected USVETS to operate Kama’okū in it’s first year.

About HomeAid Hawai‘i

HomeAid Hawai‘i is an affiliate of HomeAid America, a leading national non-profit provider of housing for homeless families and individuals founded in Southern California in 1989. With seed funding from the Howard Hughes Corporation and Ward Village Foundation, HomeAid Hawaii was established in July 2015. For more information about HomeAid Hawai‘i, their projects, and how to donate or get involved, visit www.homeaidhawaii.org.

 

#   #   #