A community village, built by the community, for the community.
WAIMĀNALO, OʻAHU
Nestled below the Koʻolau mountains where ʻOluʻolu and Alaʻihi streets meet, the houseless community will be welcomed home.
188
Residents Housed
116
Family Dwellings
13.5
Acres in Waimānalo
"We're taking care of our people and bringing them back where they belong."
— Aunty Blanche McMillian
This village is a safe space where unhoused families and individuals can connect with ʻāina and each other. Our shared vision is guided by kuleana and supported by strong local partnerships.
THE PROJECT
Hui Mahiʻai Village Project
Hui Mahiʻai Village is being built in collaboration with the State, City, and non-profit Hui Mahiʻai Āina. The Village will be on State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) land and is being leased by the State Department of Human Services (DHS).
56
Single units
18
Double-room units, housing 36
18
Family units, housing 72
20
Single kupuna units, housing 20
4 + 1
Trauma-transition units for women, plus a resident nurse’s unit
PROGRESS
Project Timeline
The Hui Mahiʻai Village Project Team and State and City officials have kept the Waimānalo community informed at every stage.
2025
First community meeting
The Hui Mahiʻai Village Project Team, Hui Mahiʻai ʻĀina, and City and State officials shared the planned structures and the process under the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation.
Community meeting & Neighborhood Board presentation
Shared Hui Mahiʻai Village plans to the Waimānalo Neighborhood Board and addressed public questions and concerns.
2026
Topographical study & DLNR approval
A topographical study confirmed a portion of the land sits outside the flood “no build” zone and as long as the project follows flood safety standards, the project can be built safely for the community. DLNR held a public hearing before approving the long-term lease with DHS and Mahiʻai Development.
BUILDING STANDARDS & SAFETY
Construction is proceeding under the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation, related to affordable housing, which allows work to begin before permits are issued — but building code and safety regulations still apply throughout, and permits must be obtained before anyone occupies the Village. To address flooding concerns in the area and ensure the safety of the Village and neighboring properties, buildings will be raised to the required flood-safety elevations, following the same standard used at Kahauiki Village. Fire hydrants, ADA access, and roadways for emergency vehicles are required as part of construction.
The vision behind Hui Mahiʻai ʻĀina
AUNTY BLANCHE
Blanche McMillan founded Hui Mahiʻai ʻĀina, and her own home sits at the opposite end of the property from the Village site. The core residents will come from the Waimānalo homeless community already living nearby — nearly 99% of them Native Hawaiian.
Upon completion, Mahiʻai Development will transfer the Village to Hui Mahiʻai ʻĀina and a reconstituted board of seasoned directors — placing it back in community hands.
“We believe the solution to homelessness is about building community.”
— Duane Kurisu
Built by the people who built Kahauiki Village
THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Track Record
The same team behind Hui Mahiʻai Village previously built the celebrated Kahauiki Village — 144 one- and two-bedroom units now housing nearly 700 people. Individually, team members have developed tens of thousands of homes across Hawaiʻi.
Organization
Hui Mahiʻai Village’s developer is Mahiʻai Development, LLC, whose sole member is aio Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit.