Office of Hawaiian Affairs Dedicated $250,000 to New Homestead Community Grant; Seeking Applications

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has dedicated $250,000 to its new Homestead Community Grant targeted specifically to aid Native Hawaiian families living on Hawaiian Homestead lands. 

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is soliciting grant applications from nonprofit organizations that administer community-based programs or projects designed to strengthen Hawaiian Homestead beneficiaries, families and communities.  Funding awards will range from $25,000 to $75,000.

According to the 2010 Census, there are nearly 31,000 people living on Hawaiian Homelands, representing about 75 homesteads across the islands.

Project proposals may include, but are not limited to, programs that meet Hawaiian Homestead communities’ basic needs such as home repairs, handrails, guardrails, ramps, internet access and transportation; providing aids such as walkers, canes, eyeglasses, hearing aids, protective footwear and dental services; or program or activity supports in homestead youth, kupuna or community centers such as appliances, computers, internet access, safety patrol activities or after-school programming.  

Proposals to provide advocacy education or support services to enable Hawaiian Homestead communities to advocate for ʻohana and communities will also be considered.  

Proposals must identify the specific services or activities that will be completed with grant funds to benefit these communities. 

This announcement follows solicitations that were released in early February. They include the new Iwi Kupuna Repatriation and Reinterment Grant and the ‘Ahahui Event Grant. OHA has committed more than $340,000 to support those two grants.  

All project proposals must align with OHA’s 2020-2035 strategic plan framework, including the strategic foundations of ʻohana, moʻomeheu (culture), and ‘āina (land and water), and the strategic outcomes related to strengthening Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, families and communities.  

“We are very pleased to announce this new grant solicitation intended to support the Hawaiian Homestead community,” said OHA Board Chair Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey.  “This grant is in direct alignment with our new Mana I Mauli Ola Strategic Plan, which specifically calls for support of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and other efforts to help meet the housing needs of our ʻohana,”

A pre-recorded solicitation orientation session along with a PowerPoint presentation will be posted to the OHA Grants Program webpage on Feb. 19, 2021. The grant application deadline is March 5, 2021 at 2 pm. The anticipated grant start date is June 1, 2021, and the grant award period is for one year.  

Only one application may be submitted per organization for this solicitation. Applicants are required to provide matching funds of at least 10 percent of the OHA grant amount. 

For more information about OHA’s new Homestead Community Grant, including the online application, please visit the OHA Grants Program webpage at https://www.oha.org/grants.