Catholic Bishop Larry Silva performs a blessing at the ceremony marking the start of developing the 178-unit Hale Pilina in Kahului, with officials with Maui County, state, and Catholic Charities in attendance Friday. Photo courtesy Becker Communications

With a blessing from Bishop Larry Silva, Catholic Charities officials launched the building of their first affordable housing rental project for families on Maui.

The Hale Pilina project in Kahului began planning before the 2023 Lahaina wildfire that displaced thousands of residents who saw rent prices increase by 50% to 60% and some higher. Once complete, Hale Pilina will provide 178 units on five acres of land.

Catholic Charities Hawai’i president Tina Andrade said Friday that first priority for the housing will be given to families displaced by the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.

“The need for affordable housing across Maui has never been greater,” said Andrade, who also serves as chief executive officer. “Hale Pilina represents more than just a housing initiative. It embodies hope, healing and our dedication to supporting the people of Maui as they rebuild their lives and communities.”

Tina Andrade said Lahaina families who survived the 2023 wildfire will receive first priority for rental housing at Hale Pilina in Kahului. Photo courtesy Becker Communications.

The project is aimed at serving households with 30% to 60% of the area median income on Maui.

Under a projected guide, monthly rents would range from $757 to $1,515 for one-bedroom units and $909 to $1,818 for two-bedroom units.

The 178-unit project at 150 Puunene Ave. is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2027.

Hale Pilina will be accepting applications as construction approaches completion, according to Catholic Charities.

The project is near Catholic Charities’ two other projects for the elderly including Kahului Lani I with 81 units and Kahului Lani II with 83 units at 65 School St.

Once Hale Pilina is completed, it will bring Catholic Charities’ housing inventory statewide to 670 units.

The land was bought from Alexander & Baldwin and financed through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program that provides tax credits as an incentive to build and maintain affordable housing.

The total project cost is about $114.6 million, $89.8 million of which is budgeted for construction.

Nearly half of the displaced Lahaina residents responding to a survey were still in temporary housing 18 months after the wildfire, according to a UHERO report issued March 17.

According to a UHero report dated Jan. 14, 5,100 residents were displaced, and of them, 369 residents have left Maui.

“Among them, over a third are either living with friends and family, in temporary units without assistance or are unhoused,” the report said. “Compared to pre-fire levels, rents remain 50-60% higher for homes with the same or even fewer bedrooms, with no measurable decline since August 2024.”

During the Hale Pilina ceremony, speeches were delivered by state Hawai’i Housing Finance and Development Corporation executive director Dean Minakami, Mahina Martin of the office of Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, and Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation executive director Denise Iseri-Matsubara.

Catholic Charities provides 40 programs statewide and is a partner agency of Aloha United Way and a member of the nationwide Catholic Charities USA organization.