The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has announced eight recipients of the Native Hawaiian Development Program Plan, who will each receive a portion of $1 million in grants.

In October, the Hawaiian Homes Commission approved the Native Hawaiian Rehabilitation Fund (NHRF) grant funds for the current fiscal year. The allocation included $500,000 to support COVID-19 relief efforts within the native Hawaiian community and $500,000 toward Regional Plan Priority projects on the homelands.

As part of NHDPP, DHHL makes available annual grant funding to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a purpose to benefit native Hawaiians. The Department has offered grants in several program areas over the years as a means of implementing the community development component of the rehabilitation fund. Grant offerings reflect DHHL priorities and community interests.

In this round of grants, DHHL solicited proposals for COVID-19 Relief Projects and Regional Plan. The COVID-19 Relief Project Implementation grant is intended to rapidly deploy resources to beneficiaries to address basic needs in housing, food security, health, and safety. The Regional Plan Priority Project grant is intended to help beneficiary organizations lead and implement a priority project that is identified in an HHC-approved Regional Plan.

A total of 16 applications were received for each of the grant offerings.

“The Department saw an increase of two to three times the applications received during this grant cycle. This highlights both the great need for community resources and the creativity and desire to come together during such a difficult period,” said Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair William J. Ailā, Jr. “I am confident that this year’s grant recipients will be important moving pieces to both provide beneficiary aid during the COVID-19 pandemic and look to the future with priority projects as they relate to our Regional Plans.”

Project Implementation: COVID-19 Relief

•        ($200,000) – Moloka‘i Homestead Farmers Alliance to support its existing COVID-19 relief program to distribute food, produce, hot meals, supplies (masks, sanitizers, etc.), and certificates for drugstore/prescription purchases. The goal is to serve 800 beneficiaries on the island of Moloka‘i.
•        ($200,000) –  Ke Kula Nui o Waimānalo to support and expand its 20-year-old program for home-based aquaponic systems in Waimānalo, Piihonua/Hilo, and Pa‘upena/Maui homestead areas; to build homestead capacity to become trainers and aquaponics resources themselves within their own homesteads; and to pilot test a how-to manual and videos so more beneficiaries can access this program beyond the initial number of beneficiaries to be served under this DHHL grant. The goal is to train nine beneficiaries to be trainers/onsite resources and assist at least 30 beneficiary families with installing an aquaponics system.
•       ($107,195) – Helping Hands Hawaii to target its 10-year old Emergency Assistance Program to serve 110 beneficiaries; provide financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utilities; and provide client referrals to HHH’s extensive network of social service, health, and housing stability providers.

Regional Plan Priority Projects

•        ($100,000) – Kānehili Community Association for the Kapolei Regional Plan Priority Project: Preserve and Develop Parks to Service the Homestead Community. Funds will be used to complete the preliminary design of the Kānehili park and begin the environmental assessment. The park is intended to serve beneficiaries and the general public.
• ($100,000) – Keaukaha Pana‘ewa Farmers Association for the Pana‘ewa Regional Plan Priority Project:  Agricultural Marketing and Training Center. Funds will be used to complete the Site Master Plan for KPFA, which will help to secure additional property and a longer-term license. KPFA intends to use a fiscal sponsor, Keaukaha Pana‘ewa Community Alliance.
•        ($100,000) – Napualei o Hina, in partnership with the Ahupua‘a o Moloka‘i for the Moloka‘i Regional Plan Priority Project: Shared Farm Equipment.  Funds will be used to plan, set up, and implement the Shared Farm Equipment program. AOM, as the community champion, will mentor and support Napualei o Hina through this project as part of youth leadership development training.
•        ($100,000) – Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders’ Association, Inc. for the Kēōkea-Waiohuli Regional Plan Priority Project: Develop agriculture and water use. Funds will be used to conduct assessments to help determine the technical, regulatory, financial, and operational needs to advance DHHL’s existing water test well into operations. This project will assist DHHL in future planning of homesteads in Kula and homestead community economic development – a “win-win” scenario.
•        ($92,805) – Waiehu Kou Phase 3 Association, Inc.for the Paukuūkalo-Waiehu Kou Regional Plan Priority Project:  Investigate Feasibility of Use of Waiehu Kou vacant lands between Waiehu Kou III and IV.  Funds will be used for a feasibility study on the use of a four-acre property as a community garden area for subsistence agriculture. WK3 intends to use a fiscal sponsor, Ka‘ehu.

Future grant solicitations are anticipated in Fiscal Year 2022, subject to the Commission’s approval of grant funds.