This rendering shows a 47-unit workforce housing development led by the Hawai‘i State Department of Education on five acres above Princess Nāhi‘ena‘ena Elementary and below Lahainaluna High School. Courtesy photo

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and Maui leaders broke ground Thursday on a new $20 million workforce development housing project for educators.

According to the Department of Education, Maui-based Dowling Co. will start construction on a rental complex with 47 one- and two-bedroom units. The site sits on approximately 5 acres located above Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary and below Lahainaluna High School.

According to state, local and school officials, the project represents a significant step toward supporting the rebuilding and educational stability, as well as an investment in West Maui’s students.

“It was hard before the fires to have people be able to commit and live and be full-time educators and staff members out here in Lahaina. The fires and the cost of living going up has just made it harder and harder,” Lahainaluna Principal Richard Carosso said. “And that just hurts us from the point of building our culture of our schools — because they’re not here as readily for the kids in the afternoon, for kids in the evenings, to go to games, to be part of clubs. So bringing people back to our hill, to our place, is what this project is about.”

With renderings of the project in the background, Lahainaluna Principal Richard Carosso speaks during a groundbreaking for a workforce housing project for educators in West Maui on Thursday. Courtesy photo

Superintendent Keith Hayashi expressed gratitude to supporters for the state-led project, including Gov. Josh Green, legislators, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and the county.

The 2023 wildfires exacerbated an already severe housing crisis in Lahaina. In an employee survey, nearly one-third of Maui employees for the Department of Education reported facing housing displacement since the fires.

More than 20% of Lahaina educators surveyed said they are thinking about leaving the state because of the lack of affordable housing. Newer hires said housing is the No. 1 reason they will remain in or leave the state.

“This project responds directly to that need – the need for housing our school employees,” Bissen said. “That will bring consistency to our classrooms that allows those who guide, who nourish, who transport and care for our students to remain close to the places they serve.”

Lahainaluna students from Papa Hula o Lahainaluna opened the program with an oli and hula honoring the area, and Kahu Wilmont Kamanu Kahaialiʻi performed a blessing.

“This development is pivotal to the retention and recruitment of our West Maui staff. We cannot afford to lose our educators. Their presence, their stability, their relationships with students is what helps our students learn, heal and move forward,” Hayashi said. “When teachers have secure housing, students have stable classrooms.”

Lahainalua students open a ground-breaking ceremony Thursday with an oli and hula. Courtesy photo

The state Department of Education is finalizing the eligibility criteria and application process for the housing project.

The department says HIDOE employees displaced by the August 2023 wildfires who work in West Maui will have consideration as well as employees who were displaced by the fires and work outside of West Maui.

Rental rates will be income based. The rates are still being finalized.

Officials gather for a group photo during a ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday. Courtesy photo