The Maui News

KAHULUI–Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced on Tuesday a new partnership with HomeAid Hawai’i to build Ka La’i Ola, a project that will aim to create 450 units for wildfire survivors on Maui who were not eligible for FEMA assistance. Ka La’i Ola is the largest interim housing development announced for Maui wildfire survivors to date. Groundbreaking will, “soon be announced,” according to a press release from Green.

“We have been working on this with some amazing partners since before the wildfires were even fully extinguished,” said Governor Green. “We know that survivors are still suffering and this will help take care of our people. Ka La’i Ola represents one of many collaborative efforts, to provide access to safe and secure temporary housing for our most vulnerable households. We are committed to a sensitive response that respects the dignity of every individual and family involved as they work to rebuild their lives.”

Ka La’i Ola means “The Place of Peaceful Recovery” and was named by Maui Kumu Hula Pueo Pata. Upon completion, the studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units across 54 acres, will provide immediate relief by offering temporary, sustainable housing solutions for up to five years, according to Green.

Green added that individuals who will reside at Ka La’i Ola do not qualify for any type of federal aid. The state has been paying approximately $56M each month to support this population in hotels and other temporary residences. The project will cost approximately $115M to create, with $75M from the state of Hawai’i, and the remaining funds to be derived from charitable and community resources. Additional private support will create opportunities for residents to move forward – childcare, health care, resiliency center, gardens, playgrounds and other outdoor spaces.

According to the governor, Ka La’i Ola will provide property management and community services to support residents’ ability to heal, recover, and rebuild their lives. Disaster Case Managers will support residents with access to resources including providing trauma-informed services with consideration to post-traumatic conditions. Together with neighboring community leaders and housing beneficiaries, the goal is to plan a community with amenity buildings, a resiliency center, landscaping, and other essential components for healing and recovery.

The land has been leased for five years to the state of Hawai’i Department of Human Services (DHS) by the Hawai’i Housing and Finance Development Corporation. Following the five-year lease, the state will commit the land and permanent infrastructure to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), thereby accelerating DHHL’s development for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries by 17 years.