Hale Kākoʻo o Hanalei
Home of Those Who Support, Encourage, or Assist
Hanalei is on the cusp of something truly transformative. For decades, our essential workers—such as lifeguards and teachers—have been priced out of the community they serve, forced to live far from the heart of Hanalei. Today, we are working to change that, and we’re inviting you to be a part of it.
Essential Workers Priced Out
The Challenge
No affordable housing west of Hanalei Bridge means essential workers live outside the community they serve, where they are needed most.
$3,719 - $5,027
Average monthly salary of teachers, lifeguards, and essential workers
$5,460
Average Monthly Rent From Hanalei to Hāʻena
Craigslist ʻ24
89.4%
Percentage of teachers and lifeguards living east of Hanalei Bridge
Workforce Housing in Hanalei
The Solution
We are building a community of small homes for rent to the workforce that provides the North Shore’s most critical services.
$9.6M
Total Projected Cost
$7.9M
Secured
1.7M
Funds Still Needed
The Momentum is Real
When our campaign launched in November 2024, we faced the challenge of raising $9.6 million to secure the land and fully build out 13 workforce homes. But momentum has been on our side. A new financing agreement now allows the Hanalei Initiative to purchase the land over time, and thanks to the generosity of our community, we’ve already raised over $3.3 million toward construction—putting us just $1.7 million away from making this project a reality. The permitting application process has begun, and we aim to break ground within a year.
Please consider being a part of the Hale Kākoʻo project
This is one of the most significant projects Hanalei has seen in decades—an opportunity to ensure those who care for our children, protect our lives, and steward our shorelines can once again live in the community they serve. We’d be grateful for your support as we take the next steps together.
For more detailed information, to share your thoughts or ideas, or to take a tour, contact Joel Guy.
Press Release
August 28, 2025
Hanalei Initiative Receives $2.3 Million from
Chan Zuckerberg Kauaʻi Community Fund for Workforce Housing
Hanalei, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi - The Hanalei Initiative’s workforce housing project for essential community workers, Hale Kākoʻo O Hanalei, received a $2.3 million gift from Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg. The financial boost accelerates the timetable to build up to 13 affordable rental homes in the heart of Hanalei for essential workers who serve the community.
“Sadly, in a town known for its beauty and spirit, one of Hanalei’s greatest challenges is housing essential workers, like teachers and lifeguards. They often cannot afford to live in Hanalei,” said Dane Smith, Hale Kakoʻo Project Manager. “As someone who is both from this area and worksin emergency services, I see it every day, how few of our ocean rescue people can actually live in Hanalei anymore.”
“This is critical work to meet an urgent need for the North Shore. We’re happy to support this impactful project to provide housing for essential workers,“ said Chan and Zuckerberg. The Chan Zuckerberg Kauaʻi Community Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation has supported The Hanalei Initiative since 2020, including the purchase of electric vans, general operating support, and recreation facility improvements.
“We want to show how serious we are about building a better future for our community and our children. We secured affordable financing and acquired the former Hanalei Mormon Church as the site to build Hale Kākoʻo. Now, with this generous grant, we’ve passed the halfway mark to meet our fundraising goal and are on track to build nearly five years sooner than originally planned,” said Joel Guy, Hanalei Initiative’s Executive Director.
Mina Morita, Board President, added, “Hanalei has always had a unique rhythm, one rooted in a special connection to the place, people and traditions. Hale Kākoʻo will honor that spirit by making sure those who have critical roles in our daily lives can have the opportunity to live in the community they serve. We are truly grateful that Priscilla and Mark understand the Initiative’s mission and have been so generous in their support to help us to perpetuate this important value to build a stronger community.”
“As we take on new partners to turn the vision for workforce housing in Hanalei into a reality, we still have lots of work to do to reach our fundraising goal and project benchmarks,” said Guy.Community members and other interested parties are warmly invited to visit the property, learn about Hale Kākoʻo, and be a part of the journey. Whether through a gift, a connection, or simply showing up, every act of support will help to move Hale Kākoʻo closer to reality faster.
To schedule a visit or contribute to the Hale Kākoʻo O Hanalei Project, please email
joel@hanaleiinitiative.org or call at (808) 635-2074.