Kauaʻi Hawaiian Homestead Beneficiary Projects

A summary of Kauaʻi projects developed by the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations (SCHHA), Homestead Beneficiary Associations (HBAs) and the Homestead Community Development Corporation (HCDC).

SCHHA was founded in 1987 as a coalition of HBAs from across the state. It includes more than 40 HBAs working together to advance good policy and the fulfillment of the promise of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (HHCA).

Registered with the U.S. Department of Interior, SCHHA is the only national HBA dedicated to both enrolled native Hawaiians issued a homestead lease and those on a homestead waitlist. An HBA is defined by the federal government in 43 CFR Part 47/48, as a self-government representing the interests of and provision of services to native Hawaiians defined in the HHCA. HCDC was founded in 2009 by SCHHA and its HBA members to establish a housing and economic nonprofit developer to pursue and implement projects of HBAs statewide.

Here are some of the Kauaʻi projects we’ve developed together:

Anahola Café. The Anahola Hawaiian Homestead Association and HCDC operate a nonprofit café at the Anahola Marketplace to create food industry jobs and workforce development opportunities, including business training for managing a food service operation.

Anahola Marketplace. AHHA and HCDC cleared 10 acres of trust lands of junk cars and other dumped items to develop an open-air marketplace with a certified kitchen facility and renovated shipping containers to serve over 15 local micro-enterprise business owners. By providing affordable retail space, access to a certified kitchen space, and business support services the Anahola Marketplace is creating a stronger rural economy and job creation.

Anahola Solar Facility. AHHA and HCDC invited Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) to pursue renewable energy through a solar facility on Hawaiian homelands in Anahola. As a result, DHHL leases 55 acres of trust lands to KIUC which developed a $50M solar project, with 60,000 solar panels generating 12MW to the island utility grid. KIUC entered into a Homestead Community Benefits Agreement with AHHA through HCDC whereby we receive a share of the value of the energy produced quarterly for reinvestment in entrepreneurs and workforce housing.

Halenani Street Apartments. The Association of Hawaiians for Homestead Lands (AHHL) and HCDC purchased six rental apartment units of studios and one-bedrooms in 2020 to preserve their affordability. We currently manage the units and maintain affordable rent levels for our tenants.

Kumu Camp. AHHA and HCDC cleared 8 acres of trust lands at Anahola Bay replacing illicit drug use and garbage dumping with the development of a campground featuring 12 tentalows and three yurts, 15 campsites, a pavilion and bathroom facilities. We’ve been operating the campground sustainably for well over 10 years now.

Office Facility. AHHA and HCDC purchased and renovated two abandoned and dilapidated residential structures on 0.5 acres of land creating nonprofit offices for affordable housing, financial literacy and homebuyer assistance, as well as a salon for a micro-business owner.

West Kauaʻi Enterprise Center. The West Kauaʻi Hawaiian Homestead Association (WKHHA) and HCDC cleared 3 acres of trust lands of kiawe trees and overgrowth to develop a 1,200-square-foot community facility in Kekaha. The center, built in partnership with Kauaʻi Community College (KCC) and HUD, replicates KCC’s Hawaiian Studies building floor plans.

Youth Center Facility. AHHA, HCDC and KCC utilized a U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) grant to develop a youth center facility located at Anahola Park currently serving more than 60 youth each week, providing experiential learning and recreation in a safe environment.