$150K grant supports Maui’s first kauhale for formerly homeless residents

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 Hāna 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.

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.

Although Kīpūola Kauhale is considered to be permanent housing, occupants are expected to live in the tiny homes for an average of one or two 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.