Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 10, 2019

DHHL, Hawai`i CC Dedicate 52 Model Home

(Hilo, HI) – On Thursday, May 9 the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Hawai`i Community College held a dedication ceremony in Keaukaha for the completion of its 52 home built by students in the Hawai‘i Community College’s Model Home Program. Since 1965, over 4,104 students have participated in the program which provides students on-the-job skills in home construction and provides an affordable home to an applicant on the DHHL’s waiting list.

“This collaboration helps us continue to fulfil Prince Kūhiō’s vision of returning native Hawaiians to the land while providing an affordable home to a Hawaiian home lands beneficiary, said William J. Aila, Jr. Acting Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission. “The work completed here today is not just the building of a house, but the birthing of a home to a Hawaiian family.”

“Thank you to all workers who put up this beautiful home. It will be a treasure for our family for the next few generations at least,” said Earl Kaina, the recipient of the house.

Last month, the DHHL broke ground on their new Kealahou Program in Maui, a reintegration home building pilot program that is a partnership between the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Public Safety and the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.  The Kealahou Program was inspired by the success of the DHHL’s partnership with Hawai‘i Community College’s Model Home Program Chairman Aila said.

The Kaina’s new home comes equipped with a tankless gas water heater as well as other green features such as Energy Star qualified appliances, Energy Star metal roofing and radiant barrier, low v.o.c. paints, and LED lighting throughout the home.

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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.

Media Contact:
Cedric Duarte
Information & Community Relations Officer
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
808-342-0873
[email protected]