First Kauhale Completed in Kalaeloa, HI

Homelessness and affordable housing have been prevalent issues in Hawaii, with Hawaii having one of the highest per capita rate of homelessness in the US. Two years after the initiative’s inception–including setbacks due to COVID – Lieutenant Governor Josh Green announced the completion of the State’s first master-planned Kauhale to address homelessness and affordable housing: Kamaoku.

 

 

Located in Kalaeloa, Kamaoku is a new community-centered model to address chronic homelessness in Hawaii that combines permanent housing with minimal costs per unit. The community is compromised of 37 homes along with many shared facilities that will be for resident’s use, including:

  • community farming gardens
  • outdoor multi-purpose pavilion
  • barbecue cabana
  • storage facility
  • community kitchen
  • medical clinic
  • community lounge
  • community center with bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities

Residents will pay a nominal rent, contribute to the community garden, learn life and job skills, and receive therapy, support, and  job training in the community.