Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Breaks Ground on New Project in Waiohuli, Maui
Posted on Apr 12, 2019 in Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Media Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2019
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Breaks Ground on New Project in Waiohuli, Maui
(WAIOHULI, HI) – On Thursday April 11, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) held a blessing ceremony at its Waiohuli subdivision in Kula, Maui.
The blessing marked the launch of the Kealahou program, a reintegration home building pilot program that is a partnership between DHHL, the Department of Public Safety and the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.
This program provides vocational training and education to Maui Community Correctional Center inmates who will apply this learning to building an affordable home for a native Hawaiian family. The program started with 12 inmates in the MCCC Programs and Education Section who received education and training at the college. They will provide the manpower to build a house in the new subdivision.
“Kealahou, or ‘a new path’ is a program that provides a new path to both a native Hawaiian family and the inmates constructing the home,” said Jobie Masagatani Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission. “Kealahou also demonstrates the power of collaboration, the positive outcomes that can be accomplished working in partnership.”
“We are honored to be a part of this new pilot project with DHHL and the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College This will provide our inmates with new ways to learn tangible, vocational skills that they can use to become productive members of society once they leave our facility,” said Maui Community Correctional Center Warden Deborah Taylor.
In addition to the Kealahou pilot program, DHHL has been expanding its lease options to include vacant lots, multi-family housing units, rent with option to purchase programs and subsistence agriculture lots.
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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS:
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands carries out Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole’s vision of rehabilitating native Hawaiians by returning them to the land. Established by U.S. Congress in 1921, with the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, the Hawaiian homesteading program run by DHHL includes management of over 200,000 acres of land statewide with the specific purpose of developing and delivering homesteading opportunities for native Hawaiians.
