Aloha mai kākou,
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), in partnership with American Savings Bank (ASB), is making homeownership more accessible for our Native Hawaiian ʻohana through the new Access to Homeownership (AHO) program.
This is more than just a loan program – it’s about keeping our ʻohana in Hawaiʻi, ensuring they can build a future right here in our islands.
In traditional Hawaiian hale construction, aho (cordage) was intricately woven to secure a structure, holding together thatched roofing and walls, ensuring the home was strong and able to withstand the elements. In the same way, the AHO program aims to strengthen our ʻohana by providing the financial foundation they need to secure a home.
With AHO, qualified applicants who find a home to buy can secure their mortgage through ASB with an OHA deposit-backed loan. That means ʻohana can move forward with as little as 3% down and no mortgage insurance – a game-changer for so many who have struggled to break into Hawaiʻi’s tough housing market.
The program is open to first-time homebuyers who will be owner-occupants of the home purchased. Program eligibility includes current Hawaiʻi residency and ancestry verification through OHA’s Hawaiian Registry Program.
ʻŌiwi interested in applying start by contacting OHA. Our staff will verify eligibility (Hawaiʻi residency and HRP registration). Once eligibility is verified, OHA will generate an official referral letter introducing the applicant to the ASB loan officer, and the loan officer will walk the applicant through ASB’s home loan pre-qualification process.
A beneficiary who recently applied for the AHO program shared the following heartfelt comment, “We are humbled and thankful for this opportunity to begin our journey to home ownership in Hawaiʻi. Events were set in motion in January that requires us to leave the place we have been for the last 13 years (not by our choice) by next summer so finding your program is such a blessing and gives us much needed hope that we will be able to continue to raise our three keiki here.”
For far too long, Native Hawaiians have faced the heartbreaking reality of having to leave Hawaiʻi for the continent just to find affordable housing. We know that home isn’t just a place, it’s our connection to ʻāina, our culture, and our kūpuna.
This program ties directly to OHA’s Mana i Mauli Ola strategic plan, which prioritizes housing and economic resilience for our people. Having a stable home means having a foundation to build wealth, strengthen ʻohana, and pass down something tangible to future generations.
Homeownership isn’t just about property, it’s about permanence, security, and a thriving lāhui.
If you’ve been dreaming of homeownership but felt like it was out of reach, AHO could be the answer you’ve been waiting for. OHA is here to help you navigate the process and take that next step toward securing your home. Contact OHA for more information at 808-594-1835.
Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Stacy Kealohalani Ferreira
Ka Pouhana | Chief Executive Officer
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