Ten years ago, HomeAid Hawai‘i was established through Hawai‘i’s building industry to address homelessness.
What began with improving congregate shelters grew into specialty shelters, and eventually led to the development of Hawai‘i’s first kauhale village. Today, HomeAid Hawai‘i develops and manages deeply affordable housing for individuals and families earning 30 percent of area median income and below.
Over the past decade, this work has reached more than 3,600 people across Hawai‘i, delivering 784 homes and creating 379 shelter beds through 21 completed projects, including eight kauhale villages. Two additional communities are underway, with three more in planning.
Through a model built on partnership, philanthropy, donated labor and materials, and construction efficiencies, more than $148 million in construction savings has been generated and passed on to Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable residents.
This impact belongs to the community.
Over the past decade, the work has expanded in both scale and approach.
What started with capital improvements has grown into a statewide effort to build permanent, deeply affordable housing—designed to provide long-term stability and connection for Hawai‘i's most vulnerable residents.
On April 2, 2026, at Kauhale Kaiāloha, our 10th anniversary gathering at Bishop Museum, we came together to reflect on this journey and the partnerships that made it possible. The stories shared throughout the evening were a reminder of the people and purpose behind this work.
HomeAid Hawai‘i’s approach is rooted in how housing gets built.
By aligning public investment with private-sector expertise and leveraging philanthropy, donated and discounted labor and materials, volunteer support, land contributions, and construction efficiencies, projects are delivered faster and at a lower cost. This approach allows more homes to be built while extending the reach of every dollar invested.
It is what makes it possible to deliver housing that is deeply affordable while maintaining quality, safety, and sustainability.
“We have proven that Hawai‘i can build deeply affordable housing quickly, efficiently and with dignity,” said HomeAid Hawai‘i Chief Executive Officer Kimo Carvalho. “By aligning public investment with private-sector expertise and local collaboration, we are able to create far greater impact than any one organization could achieve alone, scaling real housing solutions to end homelessness across our state.”
As HomeAid Hawai‘i marks 10 years of this work, the focus is on what comes next.
The need for housing in Hawai‘i continues to grow, particularly for households earning 30 percent of area median income and below. Meeting that need requires urgency and a continued commitment to building differently.
Several developments are already underway.
New communities in Waimānalo and Hoʻokahi Leo Kauhale Phase 2 are moving forward, along with three additional projects being planned across O‘ahu. Each reflects the continued application of the kauhale model. These are communities that are deeply affordable, rooted in connection, and designed to support long-term stability.
Together, these projects will expand access to housing across multiple communities while reinforcing a model that has proven it can be delivered efficiently.
With new leadership joining the Board of Directors, including Kū‘uhaku Park, Daryl Takamiya, and Dan Nishikawa, HomeAid Hawai‘i is positioned to grow its impact, strengthen partnerships, and continue building what Hawai‘i needs.
“This next phase of growth, alongside the addition of new board leadership, positions HomeAid Hawai‘i to expand its impact into land ownership and access national resources through logistics, while remaining rooted in and strengthening our local building network,” said Carvalho.
“HomeAid Hawai‘i has built a credible track record grounded in experience and results,” said Kū‘uhaku Park, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations at Matson and newly appointed HomeAid Hawai‘i board member. “I’m honored to join the board at this pivotal time and look forward to supporting the organization’s mission to broaden housing opportunities across Hawai‘i.”
Mahalo nui to everyone who has been part of this journey.
To the builders, partners, donors, and community members who have contributed their time, resources, and expertise—this work would not be possible without you.
There is a mana that lives within this community. One that binds us, grounds us, and calls us into a shared purpose beyond ourselves.
Here’s to the next 10 years.
