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HCL and DHHL Partner on Ho‘āmana Homeowner Assistance Program

    Hawai‘i Community Lending (HCL) continues its mission to keep local and native Hawaiian families in the islands through powerful partnerships and specialized mortgage programs. This collaborative impact takes center stage in a featured interview on HI Now Daily airing Thursday, September 24, 2026, showcasing Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Richard Medeiros, NAHASDA Program Specialist.

    Hawaii Community Lending and DHHL Partner on Hoamana Homeowner Assistance Program
    Richard Medeiros from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands talks with HI Now Daily about HCL’s Ho‘āmana Homeowner Assistance Program. See Video HERE

    Mederios talked about the Hoʻāmana Homeowner Assistance Program, a collaboration between Hawai‘i Community Lending (HCL) and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). This $10-million grant program is funded by DHHL and provides grants up to $30,000 to Hawaiian Home Lands lessees to pay past due mortgage, property taxes, utilities, and more. This is in line with HCL’s system strategy to prevent outmigration and displacement of Hawai‘i-born residents, in partnership with DHHL.

    To be eligible, homeowners must be at or below 80% area median income and reside on Hawaiian Home Lands; be in financial hardship (including resulting from damage caused by Hurricanes Lala and Lowell); and need help with past due mortgage, HOA fees, property taxes, water and other utilities.

    Founded in 2002, HCL has grown into a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and direct mortgage lender. The nonprofit specializes in supporting homebuilders, homebuyers, and homeowners across Hawaiian Home Lands through streamlined procedures that align with DHHL requirements.

    HCL and DHHL want to expand their outreach and bring even more families on board and on track to home ownership!

    HCL is accepting applications now for the Hoʻāmana program!

    DHHL beneficiaries ready to begin their homeownership journey are encouraged to call HCL at 808-587-7656 or visit hawaiicommunitylending.com/hoamana

    About Aikū’ē Kalima

    Aikūʻē Kalima, former Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund Manager for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, joined Hawaiʻi Community Lending (HCL) in 2024 and serves as its Enterprise Loan Manager.

    With more than 25 years of experience in community development, mortgage lending, and mission-driven finance, Kalima brings extensive expertise in expanding access to capital for underserved communities. In his current role, he manages HCL’s Social Enterprise Loan Program, providing financing to businesses supporting affordable housing development and services for low- and moderate-income families across Hawaiʻi. He also leads the development of HCL’s Kūkulu Partner Program, which builds a trusted network of contractors and builders to help connect families with qualified housing professionals while expanding access to capital for local businesses.

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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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