Our Mission and Vision
Empowering Native Hawaiians to Thrive in Our Homeland
Our mission is to address the housing crisis facing Native Hawaiians by advocating for increased funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). This critical support is essential to providing housing opportunities that honor our culture, strengthen our community, and secure a future where Native Hawaiian families can remain rooted in our homeland.
Through education, community engagement, and storytelling, we aim to raise awareness of the urgent need for action. By uniting our voices and rallying behind legislation that supports DHHL, we can create lasting solutions that preserve our way of life and ensure that future generations of Native Hawaiians can call Hawaiʻi home.
Housing Challenges for Native Hawaiians
Houselessness:
Native Hawaiians represent 21% of Hawaiʻi's population but 28% of the houseless.
Substandard Housing:
Native Hawaiians on the DHHL waiting list face greater economic challenges and more significant housing hardships compared to other Native Hawaiian households.
Diaspora:
As of the 2020 Census, less than half (46.7%) of Native Hawaiians live in Hawaiʻi.
Long DHHL Waitlist:
Currently, 29,000 Native Hawaiians are on the DHHL waitlist, awaiting housing opportunities.
Looking to the Future
Growing Population:
In 2020, there were 680,442 Native Hawaiians in the U.S., and the population is projected to surpass one million by 2050.
Rising Costs:
Hawaiʻi has one of the highest costs of living in the U.S., with skyrocketing rents and the highest median home price at $799,000.
Impact on Quality of Life:
Housing instability, houselessness, and substandard housing are linked to health issues, mental instability, and substance abuse in our lāhui.
Collaborative Solutions for Homeownership
As the housing crisis for Native Hawaiians continues to grow, it is imperative to hold development companies accountable for offering diverse and innovative financing options tailored to the needs of our community. These solutions must prioritize affordability, cultural sensitivity, and long-term stability to ensure that Native Hawaiian families can achieve homeownership and remain rooted in our homeland.
Innovative Options to Address the Crisis:
Rent-to-Own Programs:
Providing secure, long-term housing with locked-in rental rates. After consistent payments over 15 years, participants can transition into homeownership through a mortgage.Low-Income Financing:
Offering subsidies or low-interest financing options to families and kūpuna with incomes below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI), ensuring greater access to affordable housing opportunities.Culturally Aligned Developments:
Envisioning housing that reflects the values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian community. This includes modern, high-quality homes and apartments designed to foster stability and dignity.
The Urgency of Action:
With 29,000 Native Hawaiians still waiting on the DHHL list, innovative and sustainable housing solutions are essential. Collaborative efforts between DHHL, development companies, and the community are needed to bring these visions to life and address the generational housing crisis facing our lāhui.
ABOUT OUR LOGO
Our campaign logo, featuring the Hawaiian piko and tapa motifs, represents Hawai‘i as the core of our identity and the strength and resilience of our people—values that connects us to our ʻāina, our moʻokūʻauhau, and to each other.
