Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 8, 1 August 2023 — A Plaee for Kūpuna at Hale Makana o Mō'ili'ili [ARTICLE]

A Plaee for Kūpuna at Hale Makana o Mō'ili'ili

By Cheryl ūhee Tsutsumi Patti Barbee found her calling in 1993, when, as a newly hired housing specialist for OHA, she flew to Hawai'i Island to meet with Mililani Trask and several families from Kalapana who had been displaced by a lava flow. Trask, an attorney who rejoined OHA as Hawai'i Island trustee last year, is well known as a passionate advocate for Native Hawaiians in critical areas such as education, healthcare, job opportunities and affordable housing. The families were living in temporary quarters in Hilo. Barbee and Trask wanted to learn about the challenges they were facing firsthand, so they could bolster efforts to obtain funding from the state legislature to help them rebuild their homes and lives. Many of them were kūpuna who were on a low fixed incomes — only $500 to $800 per month — and they were grappling with hnaneial problems. "Trustee Trask displayed such compassion as they expressed their concerns about finding a suitable plaee to live on their limited budget," said Barbee, now the president and CEO of the Hawaiian Community Development Board (HCBD). "More than ever, it was ingrained in my mind that housing costs for elders, whether it be rent or a mortgage, need to be affordable. That trip inspired me to ehannel my energy and expertise into developing affordable housing for kūpuna. It's important for them to be able to secure safe, comfortable lodging within their means, so they ean live with dignity, worry-free." HCDB is a Native Hawaiian-owned-and-operated nonprofit development firm that builds rental units and provides other housing solutions primarily for low-ineome Native Hawaiian individuals and families. That said, its newest rental project, Hale Makana o Mō'ili'ili, is available to seniors 55 years and older of all ethnicities who earn no more than 60% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Area Median ineome guidelines. Ofhcially opened in June, the six-story, $39.7 million building at the corner of Algaroba Street and Makahiki Way in Honolulu was brought to fruition by 'Ikenakea Development, a partnership between HCDB and 3 Leaf Holdings; architectural firm AH; construction company Moss & Associates; and Philpotts Interiors' interior design experts. "This project not only helps fulfill Hawai'i's crucial need for affordable housing, it upholds the values and traditions that are deeply rooted in our Hawaiian culture — to respect and care for our elders, who are cherished members of our community," Barbee said. "It's in a elean, vibrant neighborhood within walking distance of stores, parks and a variety of enriching diversions. For example, McCully-Mō'ili'ili Public Library, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i and Mō'ili'ili Community Center, whieh has a great seniors program, are just a few blocks away." Low-density apartment buildings and small, dilapidated

single-family homes dating back to around 1928 were torn down to make way for the new, modern building. An oasis on a relatively small footprint, Hale Makana o Mō'ili'ili offers 80 studios (accommodating one or two people) and 25 one-bedroom apartments (for up to three people), eaeh furnished with a kitchen featuring ceiling fans, granite countertops and energy-efficient appliances. LED and so-lar-powered lights illuminate walkways and parking areas. A retired floral pattern donated by Manuheali'i, a Native Hawaiian-owned apparel company, was incorporated in striking artwork that adorns the front wall of the building and another wall in the resource center, a l,000-square-foot space for social gatherings, cultural presentations, special events, tenant association meetings and other eommuni-ty-oriented functions. The resource center will also provide information and activities that align with residents' needs and interests. "The floral motifs not only add beauty, they symbolize the aloha spirit," Barbee said. "1hey imbue Hale Makana o Mō'ili'ili with a sense of weleome, optimism and eonneetivity, whieh is so important to kūpuna's wellbeing. It's a plaee that residents are proud to eall home." ■