For generations, returning home to our ʻāina has been a long-awaited dream in the hearts of Native Hawaiians. Finally, that vision is beginning to take shape in new and meaningful ways.
With bold new programs from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), the long-awaited path to homeownership is becoming clearer, more accessible, and filled with renewed hope for our lāhui. We still have a long way to go to shorten the waitlist and put more Kānaka back onto our lands, but it’s a step in the right direction.
In March 2025, DHHL awarded 665 leases in Kapolei. Projects are also underway in every county, with DHHL actively developing 29 new projects across the pae ʻāina with a goal to issue more than 2,600 leases by the end of this year.
For our kūpuna, DHHL launched a $10 million Kūpuna Rental Subsidy Program in partnership with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. Funded by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, it supports kūpuna still on the waitlist by covering most of their rent, while providing housing counseling.
On Oʻahu, Hale Mōʻiliʻili, a 23-story, 278-unit tower, is scheduled to open this summer 2025, providing affordable rentals for low-income Native Hawaiian elders in a central location close to health and transit services.
OHA’s Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan, Strategy 6 is “Support implementation of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and other efforts to meet the housing needs of ʻohana.”
Specific tactics include: 6.1. Increase affordable non-traditional housing options (accessory dwelling units/tiny homes, large multi-generational lots or homes) in communities of ʻohana’s choice; 6.2. Increase housing unit supply on Hawaiian Home Lands; and 6.3. Decrease rate of Native Hawaiian out-of-state migration.
In February, OHA launched its Access to Home Ownership (AHO) program – a powerful new tool in this effort. Backed by $1.5 million in loan guarantees through American Savings Bank, AHO breaks down financial barriers that have long kept Kānaka Maoli from owning homes.
By eliminating private mortgage insurance, reducing down payments, and lowering interest rates, AHO saves families hundreds each month. Within weeks of launching, OHA received more than 240 inquiries and several families are in escrow or have closed on their new homes already, proof of the urgent need for more programs like this.
Eligible applicants for AHO must be Hawaiʻi residents, registered with OHA’s Hawaiian Registry Program (HRP) and committed to owner-occupancy. Applicants can receive assistance in applying first for the OHA Hawaiian Registry Program and receiving an HRP card (which has many other benefits). American Savings Bank loan agents will then help secure financing, ensuring that the journey is both pono and supportive.
AHO applies to both DHHL properties and homes on the open market, allowing ʻohana to remain in Hawaiʻi, resisting displacement and reclaiming stability. AHO’s early success makes it clear: we must expand this program. More funding, more outreach, and community input will be key to scaling it for greater impact – from urban Honolulu to rural communities across the islands.
While AHO is opening doors to immediate ownership, DHHL also continues to press forward with large-scale development to address the long-standing waitlist. Together, these programs represent a new era of collaboration, compassion, and commitment.
We look forward to creating more innovative developments to push for progress, amplify the needs of our lāhui, and make sure that housing for Native Hawaiians remains a top priority.
