Governor Josh Green, M.D., today announced that the firstMaui wildfire survivors have moved into units in the Hale ʻO Lāʻie interim housing project (formerly the HaggaiInstitute) in Kīhei. The housing units were purchased by the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance andDevelopment Corporation (HHFDC) in coordination with the Hawaiʻi Office of Recovery andResiliency (ORR) and the state Department of Human Services (DHS), as part ofthe Hawai‘i Interim Housing Program (HIHP). HIHP was established to providehousing relief to affected households of the August 2023 Maui wildfires.

As of this morning, eight households had received keys andwere in the process of moving into the complex. Three others are scheduled forwalk-ins today and more are expected to follow this week.

“The objective of HIHP is to provide as many housing optionsas possible for Maui wildfire survivors because we recognize that eachhousehold has unique circumstances and needs,” Governor Green said. “Theopening of Hale ʻO Lāʻie goes a long way towardmeeting that objective and building upon our focus of providing housingsolutions on Maui.”

Hale ʻOLāʻie will provideapproximately 150 hotel-style studios and studio suites to survivors. The stateis providing the units at no cost to survivors. More than 500 households havestarted the preliminary application process and are in various stages ofcompletion.

HIHP also includes Ka LaʻiOla, which is currently in construction in West Maui. Once completed, thisproject will offer up to 450 modular homes for FEMA ineligible victims of theLahaina wildfires. Not all sites or units are currently completed — and thematching of eligible households to available and suitable units will continueas the state makes more units available in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Households are encouraged to apply even if they are unsureof their eligibility. There is no cost to apply, and those placed in interimhousing will not be required to pay rent or utility bills through August 2025.

While applying does not guarantee eligibility or placement,eligible households will be matched with available units based on theirspecific needs and the availability of suitable housing.

“We took great care to ensure that these units wereconverted into living spaces where the survivors can feel at home while theydeal with other challenges created by the fires,” said HHFDC Executive DirectorDean Minakami. “The property’s common areas and grounds were rejuvenated andnew appliances were purchased, so that each unit is outfitted with acompact-size refrigerator and microwave oven. We urge wildfire survivors toconsider Hale ʻO Lāʻie as their interim housingsolution.”

“We are grateful for the funding provided by the Legislatureand the hard work put into this effort by Maui County, our sister stateagencies and our management agent, Paramount Hotels, which expeditiouslymanaged an extensive maintenance program to bring the units online,” Minakamiadded.

“These housing units provide a safe, secure and stablesolution for families displaced by the Maui wildfires. It has been a teameffort among multiple agencies to bring this opportunity to those impacted.With more than 425 applications submitted and being reviewed through the HIHPapplication portal, we realize that there is an ongoing and tremendous need forlonger-term housing,” said state Disaster Recovery Coordinator Luke Meyers.

For more information and to apply, visit https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/hhfdc/hawaiistaterecovers/orcall 1-808-727-1550. Translation assistance is available for those with limitedEnglish proficiency.

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