Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund

The Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund is dedicated to safeguarding the indigenous kānaka maoli of Maui from displacement due to the tragic wildfire.
The fund emerges as a response to the urgent need to support Maui residents and the Native Hawaiian population facing challenges such as the Maui wildfire disaster that uprooted 273 kānaka homeowners from their ancestral lands in Lāhainā. The fund rallies to provide the necessary financial aid and expertise required to secure insurance claims and disaster assistance.
The fund ensures our kānaka community remains rooted in their homeland, protecting our people’s place within the rich tapestry of Hawaiʻi’s cultural heritage, while providing access to housing recovery services to Maui residents.
HCL launched the fund September 1, 2023 with $150,000 of its own monies for this fund to be used for deferred payment loans to impacted homeowners.

Donate or invest today to make a difference.

A BIG MAHALO TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED OR INVESTED! Thank You!

Objectives

• Prevent displacement of indigenous kānaka maoli from the Maui wildfire.
• Provide financial aid and expertise for insurance claims and disaster assistance.
• Address financial barriers preventing kānaka from claiming insurance or appealing denials.

Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund

Phase 1
Leiali‘i Homesteaders:
$6.5 million Goal

Phase 2
Lahaina Native Hawaiian Homeowners
$5.1 million Goal

The fund emerges as a response to the urgent need to support the Native Hawaiian population facing challenges such as the Maui wildfire disaster that uprooted 273 kānaka homeowners from their ancestral lands in Lāhainā.

Support Services Provided:

Under the Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund, HCL ʻOhana Advocates will collaborate with partners and Maui residents and Maui Native Hawaiian homeowners to:
Create emergency budgets with HUD-certified housing counselors.
Complete FEMA and SBA disaster assistance applications and file appeals.
Obtain mortgage forbearances, modifications, grants, and loans. (Native Hawaiian homeowners only)
Retain a public insurance adjuster (PA) for insurance policy reviews and to fight on the homeowner’s behalf to get the monies they deserve for rebuilding. (Native Hawaiian homeowners only)

Phase 1 - Leialiʻi Homestead Preservation:

In this phase, the Fund centers its efforts on preserving the stewardship and connection to ʻāina (land) for the 104 ʻohana within the Leialiʻi homestead on Maui. HCL helped the Leialiʻi ʻohana get their mortgages to secure their place on the land in 2007 and 16 years later, HCL will be here to make sure they stay on the land.

Phase 2 - Expanding the Reach:

Following the successful implementation of Phase 1, the Fund will extend to the remaining estimated 169 kānaka homeowners who have been similarly impacted by disasters, with the intention of offering them the same level of support and resources.

Funding:

• Aims to raise $11.6 million in grants, donations, loans, and loan guarantees in two phases to serve an estimated 225 kānaka homeowners.
• $6.6 in grants and donations will be used to cover program expenses and costs of retaining a PA.
• $4 million in loans made to HCL will be used to provide deferred payment loans to kānaka homeowners for costs to appeal a homeowner’s insurance denials.
• $1 million in loan guarantees will help back-up the $4 million in loans to HCL.

A BIG MAHALO TO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS FUND!

SBP – $360,000
Hawai‘i Community Foundation – $250,000
Oweesta – $250,000
Kosasa Foundation – $250,000
Omidyar Foundation – $250,000
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement – $100,000
Makahakama Foundation – $100,000
Anonymous Donors – $100,000 ($75k +$25k)
Kataly Foundation – $30,000
Vatheuer Family Foundation – $25,000
Royal Business Bank – $5,000

THANK YOU to the many other folks who have reached out and contributed!