#Jeff Gilbreath

Native CDFI and nonprofit mortgage lender Hawai‘i Community Lending announced today its board officers and new executive leadership team, including internal promotions as well as new hires. With a depth of experience and resources that extend beyond business into a well of cultural strength, HCL’s people are prepared to bring real solutions to Hawai‘i’s housing crisis.

Since Hawaiʻi Community Lending was founded in 2002, the nonprofit mortgage lender has originated 6,559 grants and loans, with more than $203.7 million disbursed, resulting in more than 6,500 ‘ohana in homes

Hawai’i Community Lending (HCL), a nonprofit mortgage lender, announced the date for its second annual Hui Waiwai, to be held at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu on Thursday, Jan. 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets and sponsorships are now available for this inspirational event celebrating HCL’s accomplishments from the past year and looking ahead to next year, as HCL furthers its goal to solve Hawai‘i’s housing crisis.

Despite a new report that shows household debt in Hawai‘i on the rise, Hawai‘i Community Lending (HCL) aims to keep the dream of home ownership alive for local families, offering some of the state’s lowest interest rates on purchasing and refinancing homes on Hawaiian Home Lands. 

Through the Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program funded by the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF), 90 homeowners in Lahaina and Kula have been able to complete property surveys at no cost. By the end of this month, another 66 surveys will be completed. That means 156 homeowners can now apply for permits to begin their rebuilds—with funds still available for another 544 applicants. 

Lahaina owner-occupant homeowners are encouraged to register now for an online briefing on how to receive property surveys through the Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program. Those who owned and lived on their Lahaina properties at the time of the August 2023 wildfire and need a property survey to move forward with home rebuilds are encouraged to register for the Zoom meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 5:30–6:30 p.m. 

Northern Trust and Hawaiʻi Community Lending announced a historic $10 million investment in HCL’s new Kūpa’a Hale Loan program, helping to make zero-down mortgages available to native Hawaiians on Hawaiian Home Lands. Kūpaʻa means to be steadfast, firm and loyal, and this statewide loan is intended to help ‘ohana set roots and be financially stable and grounded to their homeland.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen today announced a partnership to address critical financing gaps for Lahaina homeowners still rebuilding after the 2023 Maui wildfires. The collaborative effort will create a Deferred Payment Loan Program to support middle-income families who may not qualify for federal disaster recovery funds but continue to face significant financial barriers to reconstruction.

Northern Trust and Hawaiʻi Community Lending today announced a historic $10 million investment in HCL’s new Kūpaʻa Hale Loan program, helping to make zero-down mortgages available to Native Hawaiians on Hawaiian Home Lands. Kūpaʻa means to be steadfast, firm and loyal, and this statewide loan is intended to help ʻohana set roots and be financially stable and […]

With the theme “Building Solutions for Hawai‘i’s Housing Crisis,” Hawai‘i Community Lending held its annual meeting, Hui Waiwai, on Jan. 23, 2025. All proceeds from the event—totaling more than $37,000—go to support housing for local and Hawaiian families.

Hawaiʻi Community Lending announced that HPM Building Supply and American Savings Bank will sponsor the nonprofit’s annual Hui Waiwai on Jan. 23, 2025, at Bishop Museum from 5 to 8 p.m.

Guam native Sean Perez has taken the reins as new finance director at Hawai‘i Community Lending.

Hawai‘i Community Lending has new members of its board of directors. They are Kawena Beaupré, Jaclyn Kaina and Alapaki Nahale‘a. Returning board members are Billy Pieper (president) and Felicity “Kui” Meyer (treasurer).

The nonprofit community development financial institution, Hawai‘i Community Lending, has hired Aikue Kalima, former Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund Manager for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, as its lending director. 

In a significant boost to aid Lahaina homeowners affected by last year’s wildfires, American Savings Bank (ASB) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) have announced an allocation of $400,000 to Hawaiʻi Community Lending through the FHLB Member Impact Fund.

Hawai‘i Community Lending will receive a $2.4-million loan from the US Department of Agriculture to finance 10 homes for eligible homebuyers on native lands.

Maui County is far behind its goal of creating 5,000 affordable homes for local people over five years, according to an update this week on the Maui County Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan. Since the plan was finalized a couple years ago, 675 homes are being built and another 943 homes are approved for construction. Assuming that 600 rent and homeownership opportunities are secured through other projects outlined in the plan, roughly 3,000 homes are needed in under three years.

Hawaiian Community Assets announced that Chelsie Evans will lead efforts going forward as the organization’s new Executive Director.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs expanded its assistance available to Native Hawaiians to include car repairs, funeral expenses and out-of-pocket medical bills through its Ka Wailele Emergency Financial Assistance Program.

The “Business Matters” show is hosted by Pamela Tumpap, President of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, who welcomes business, government and community leaders to share information and insight on Maui’s “sustainable quadruple bottom-line efforts” to embrace the island’s economy, environment, social wellbeing and our culture.