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Credit Unions of Maui and Lanai donate $300,000 to Lahaina housing development

LAHAINA, HI (September 23, 2024) — The Credit Unions of Maui and Lanai recently dispersed $300,000 to the Homeaid Ka La’i Ola housing development. Ka La’i Ola is being built for residents impacted by the August 2023 wildfire that destroyed Lahaina town. The donation, part of a $1 million grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank Des Moines, will provide financing needed for landscaping, window tinting, etc.

Ka La’i Ola—”The Place of Peaceful Recovery”—is a 58-acre temporary housing development that will house up to 1,500 wildfire survivors for up to 5 years. It features about 450 modular residential units, including a combination of studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom homes that are fit for independent living with full kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. The living units are grouped so generational families can live near each other. The first nine families moved in on August 9, 2024 – one day after the one-year anniversary of the Lahaina wildfire. Residents will live there at no cost for one year; after that nominal fees may be charged to cover operating expenses. Alongside housing, Ka La‘i Ola will offer property management and community services aimed at helping residents heal and rebuild their lives. The project will be completed in phases over the next eight months.

The Credit Union Wildfire Relief Fund was established by the six credit unions serving the islands of Maui and Lanai. Donations from credit unions, system organizations, and individuals from across the nation, increased the fund to over $1.4 million as of August 2024. The Federal Home Loan Bank Des Moines donated $1 million to this fund specifically to help in housing for Lahaina fire victims.

Modular houses at Ka La’i Ola.

L-R: Clayton Fuchigami (Maui FCU), Gary Fukuroku (Maui County FCU), Kimo Carvalho (Executive Director of Homeaid), Kelly Tobita (Maui Teachers FCU), Trevor Tokishi (Valley Isle Community FCU), Craig Kinoshita (Wailuku FCU).

About Credit Unions of Maui

The Credit Unions of Maui consists of six credit unions serving the islands of Maui and Lanai: Kahului FCU, Lanai FCU, Maui FCU, Maui County FCU, Maui Teachers FCU, Valley Isle Community FCU, and Wailuku FCU.