DHHL Breaks Ground on New Project in Waiohuli, Maui

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands held a blessing ceremony at their Waiohuli subdivision in Kula on Thursday.

The blessing marked the launch of the Kealahou program, a reintegration home building pilot program that is a partnership between the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Public Safety and the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.

The Kealahou pilot program provides vocational training and education to Maui Community Correctional Center inmates who will apply this learning to building an affordable home for a native Hawaiian family. The program started with 12 inmates in the MCCC Programs and Education Section who received education and training at the college. They will provide the manpower to build a house in the new subdivision.

“Kealahou, or ‘a new path’ is a program that provides a new path to both a native Hawaiian family and the inmates constructing the home. Kealahou also demonstrates the power of collaboration, the positive outcomes that can be accomplished working in partnership,” said Jobie Masagatani, Chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

“We are honored to be a part of this new pilot project with DHHL and the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College This will provide our inmates with new ways to learn tangible, vocational skills that they can use to become productive members of society once they leave our facility,” said Maui Community Correctional Center Warden Deborah Taylor.

In addition to the Kealahou pilot program, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has been expanding its lease options to include vacant lots, multi-family housing units, rent with option to purchase programs and subsistence agriculture lots.