Hawaiʻi Community Lending (HCL), a nonprofit community development financial institution serving Maui.

The HCL Lahaina team is made up of members of the Lahaina community. We were affected by the fire ourselves, in different ways, and our roots here run deep. We understand what our neighbors are going through because we are going through it too, and we care about helping the people we know.

It is gap funding for owner occupant homeowners rebuilding after the fire. It helps cover the difference between the cost of rebuilding and the funding you already have from insurance and other sources.

No. Grant amounts depend on several factors, including total rebuild cost, the size of your original home, insurance proceeds, income, household size, and existing debt. HCL completes a financial analysis to determine what you may qualify for.

The maximum grant is $500,000. The amount each homeowner qualifies for depends on their situation and is set through the financial analysis.

No. Manaʻolana is a recoverable grant, not a loan. It comes with conditions attached, and you must follow them for as long as the grant is in place.

That depends on your situation. You are expected to put your insurance funds toward the rebuild and to contribute what you are able to as well. The financial assessment looks at your full financial picture to determine your expected contribution and how much of the remaining gap the grant can cover.

Yes. The financial analysis accounts for insurance proceeds, FEMA assistance, SBA loans, and any other funding you receive toward your rebuild. These sources are weighed against your total rebuild cost to determine the size of your gap and your grant.

The time it takes to build a home tailored to your specifications is similar to the timeline for a turn-key (ready-built) home. The difference is that you have the autonomy to choose your home plans and decide on the specifications of your home. If requested documents are submitted quickly, the timeline can improve. Typically, the process takes about 18–24 months if everything goes smoothly with minimal delays.

Delays in starting construction often stem from decisions families need to make, such as selecting home plans that fit their budget, adjusting the project budget to meet expectations, permitting delays, and paperwork that must be approved by the Department Hawaiian Home Lands and heard in front of the Hawaiian Homes Commission before we receive the green light to close on your construction loan. That loan closing is what clears you to start building.

When delays occur, we have a dedicated team to keep your project moving forward. Our program is designed to prepare you early, so when it’s time to make decisions, you’re ready.

Although construction is complete, final inspections are complete and the certificate of occupancy is issued, you cannot move in until your permanent mortgage financing is finalized. At the time of construction loan closing, you’ll sign a document acknowledging this requirement. It’s crucial that both the homeowner and contractor fully understand this, which is why contractors must become Kūkulu Partners. The Builder Training covers all requirements to ensure everyone involved is on the same page.

No. Enrollment does not guarantee approval. Every application goes through a case-by-case review, and funding is first ready, first served. Funding is limited, so being ready sooner improves your chances.

Apply anyway if you were an owner occupant at the time of the fire. There are no guarantees, but HCL will complete a full analysis of your situation to see if you qualify, or if there are other resources HCL can refer you to.

No. The program is first ready, first served. Many variables are in play for each person’s rebuild, and your case has to complete the necessary steps to have a chance at funding approval. If your case is not ready, you may not qualify for funding until it is. It is possible that someone who enrolled later moves through the process faster than you. There is no guarantee funding will still be available once your case is ready, because funding is limited. This is why it is critical to stay actively engaged and take the steps needed to get your case into a fundable position.

As a condition of receiving funding, you agree to one of the following:
● Remain the owner occupant of the property, or
● Rent the property for a minimum of 12 months, at a price no higher than the County of Maui affordable housing guideline for the 120% AMI threshold, to a Lahaina resident, or
● Sell the property to a Lahaina resident at a price no higher than the County of Maui affordable housing guideline for the 140% AMI threshold.

The program exists to help owner occupant residents rebuild and to keep our community here in Lahaina. After past disasters, recovery funding often rebuilds homes, and not long after, those homes get sold to outside investors. The community leaves, and so do the resources invested in it. Our goal is to keep Lahaina lands in Lahaina hands, keep our neighbor’s home, and keep these resources working for our community for as long as possible. The conditions keep sale and rental prices affordable, so the people who live here are the ones who can afford to rent or buy them. This is about protecting our community and the investment made in it.

No, not on their own. The covenants run with the land and stay attached to the property permanently, even if it is sold, inherited, or rented, unless the grant is repaid in full. Partial payments or installment plans do not release the covenants.

No. It is a grant, not a loan. As long as you follow the covenants, you owe nothing back. Repayment is only required if you default on the covenants.

Yes. The grant must be repaid in full and cannot be repaid with installments. Upon full repayment, the covenants on the property are released, and you are free to do what you choose with it. HCL puts the repaid funds toward helping another family rebuild.

No. The grant must be paid back in full to be released from the conditions.

Owner occupant homeowners who were living in their home when it was destroyed by the August 2023 wildfire.

Many of the families HCL serves start out with credit challenges, limited credit history, or existing debt. The LHRP program and the Manaʻolana grant do not have credit requirements. However, if you need a loan to satisfy your expected contribution requirement, credit will be a determining factor in that loan approval. HCL offers resources that may help with your situation, and works with partners we can refer you to, to help you get your finances in order and move forward. Because improving credit or resolving debt can take time, we encourage you to start as soon as possible. Assistance is provided on a first ready, first served basis, so becoming financially ready sooner may help you take advantage of available funding. Funding is limited, and you must be financially ready to qualify.

No. You must use an HCL approved, licensed general contractor as the rebuild project must be secured by a performance and labor material bond.

No. The program does not fund owner builder projects. You must use an HCL approved, licensed general contractor as the rebuild project must be secured by a performance and labor material bond.

No. You are responsible for managing your rebuild or hiring someone to manage it for you. HCL provides funding and support along the way, but HCL is not your construction manager.

You are expected to stay actively involved in every step of your rebuild. HCL supports you through the process, but the rebuild is yours to drive. If you stop participating, you may be removed from the program. Funding is first ready, first served, so staying engaged and moving your case forward can affect whether funding is still available when your case is ready.