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Waimanalo groups outline projects: charter-school wins, early-stage resilience hub and 300-home plan
Summary
Local presenters told OHA trustees on Dec. 11 about Malama Honua PCS's recent graduate successes, WHHA's early-stage Waimanalo Business Park and resilience hub planning, and Hui Mahia ʻĀina's shelter operations and 300-home expansion plan.
Community organizations used the OHA meeting to highlight education gains, early-stage resilience planning and housing solutions.
Denise España of Malama Honua Public Charter School thanked OHA for ongoing support and said the school’s first cohort graduated on time. "I'm proud to say that 100% of our haumana graduated high school on time," España said, noting partnerships with Bishop Museum and University of Alaska programs and the use of OHA facilities grants to refine campus plans.
Puhone O'Makapuʻu Johnson, newly elected president of the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association, summarized five DHHL-coordinated priority projects and highlighted two her group is pursuing: a Waimanalo Business Park and a Kohale lodging/resilience hub that would provide family lodging and transition to emergency shelter in times of disaster. Johnson said both projects are in very early planning and will require land acquisition and significant funding for planning phases.
Blanche McMillan, CEO and founder of Hui Mahia ʻĀina, described operating a 106-person homeless shelter in Waimanalo and announced plans to break ground on 300 additional homes in a nearby area. "We are gonna put 300 more homes in the new area," McMillan said, emphasizing community-based shelter operations that teach responsibility and independence.
All three presenters asked for continued OHA partnership on funding, technical assistance and advocacy. Trustees thanked presenters and directed staff to continue engagement through OHA grants and programs.
What happens next: Presenters said they will seek funding and partnerships and expected more detailed planning work; OHA staff present offered one-on-one follow-ups and referrals to grant application resources.
