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ASB and Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Award $850,000 to Six Hawai‘i Nonprofits

American Savings Bank (ASB) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) are pleased to award $850,000 to six local nonprofits through the FHLB Member Impact Fund. ASB’s ongoing commitment to improve affordable housing, financial literacy and the revitalization of Aala Park and neighboring communities was amplified by FHLB’s $3 to $1 matching program. Hawai‘i Community Lending will receive the largest grant of $400,000 to aid Lahaina homeowners impacted by last year’s wildfires.

“American Savings Bank is excited to join forces with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines once again to support local organizations providing vital resources and services across the state,” said Ann Teranishi, president and CEO at ASB. “FHLB Des Moines’ $3 to $1 matching program allows us to multiply our impact as we work together to create a better future for all residents.”

Awards & Initiatives Supported

  • Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp.
    • $100,000
    • Initiative and Programs Supported: Affordable Housing Pre-Development Loan Fund
  • Hawai‘i Community Lending
    • $400,000
    • Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program
  • Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center
    • $100,000
    • Capacity building and operational support
  • Oahu Economic Development Board
    • $60,000
    • Capacity building and operational support
  • Salvation Army
    • $40,000
    • Community Assistance Center Life Skills Program
  • The Trust for Public Land
    • $150,000
    • Revitalization of Aala Park and the surrounding community

FHLB’s Member Impact Fund, which was created in 2023, was established to provide critical support and funding to four states and three U.S. Pacific territories – Hawai‘i, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Guam, American Samoa and Northern Mariana Islands. Building on last year’s $1.8 million award, ASB and FHLB Des Moines have infused a total of $2.65 million into Hawai‘i communities.

“We are thrilled to partner with our members and local organizations to empower them to make their communities vibrant places to live and work,” said Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “An important part of our mission is to enable our members to meet the housing, business and economic development needs of the communities they serve. The Member Impact Fund is another way we fulfill that.” 

As Lahaina homeowners continue their path to recovery, the $400,000 grant from ASB and FHLB Des Moines to Hawai‘i Community Lending serves as a lifeline offering vital resources, assistance and renewed hope.

“We send our deepest mahalo to ASB and FHLB Des Moines for their support,” said Jeff Gilbreath, executive director of Hawai‘i Community Lending. “The funds will match other banks and funders to assist 500 owner-occupant Lahaina homeowners impacted by the fire with the goal of preventing displacement of our local people and getting them the funds needed to rebuild.”

In addition to this grant, ASB recently released its 2023 Impact Report, highlighting other charitable contributions and long-term investments in initiatives that support a thriving Hawai‘i.

About Aikū’ē Kalima

Aikū’ē Kalima, former Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund Manager for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, joins Hawaiʻi Community Lending as its lending director.
Kalima comes to HCL with more than 25 years of experience in community development and mortgage lending. In his new position, Kalima will direct HCL’s consumer, construction, mortgage and small business lending.
“As a native Hawaiian and Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiary, I understand the financial needs for economic development and quality housing for kānaka is great,” said Kalima, who led OHA’s deployment of $9.8 million in loans to 286 native Hawaiians statewide over the last five years. “For over 25 years, I have worked tirelessly at the grassroots level, educating kānaka on the skills necessary to achieve the dream of homeownership and providing resources to achieve financial sustainability. I plan to continue serving the lāhui empowering ‘ohana and communities as the lending director for Hawai‘i Community Lending.”
Kalima takes the reins of HCL’s $16-million revolving loan fund and will oversee a team of seven staff members statewide. “HCL is honored to have Aikū’ē join us in our mission to help tackle our housing crisis by funding native Hawaiian and local families to build, buy and save homes from foreclosure,” said HCL Executive Director Jeff Gilbreath. “He has proven leadership in both the public and private sectors and has the passion to get families on the land through homeownership.”


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About Nikki

Nikki Hollern is a mother of five, born and raised in Upcountry Maui, but she spent the last 15 years in the beautiful town of Lahaina. Lahaina stole her heart, with the people and the town being unlike any other. After the fire, her family had to relocate to Kahului.

Her heart remains in Lahaina, and her goal is to help this amazing community get back to where they belong. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to be part of the HCL ‘ohana, helping navigate this incredibly hard time and hopefully serving as a guiding light to assist the community in returning home and coming back even stronger.


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