A New Chapter of Hope and Connection for Maui Families.
On a windy and warm Friday afternoon in Kahului, May 9, 2025, a crowd gathered on a nearly five-acre lot on South Puʻunēnē Avenue to witness something far more meaningful than just a groundbreaking. Leaders, community members, and advocates came together to bless the beginning of Hale Pilina — a new affordable housing complex that promises to be a lifeline for many Maui families.
Organized by Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation (CCHDC) — the housing development arm of Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi — the event was both practical and deeply spiritual. Under clear skies, Bishop Larry Silva of the Diocese of Honolulu offered a blessing for the land, the project, and the people it will serve. It was a moment of reflection, but also one of profound hope.
“The need for affordable housing across Maui has never been greater,” said Tina Andrade, CEO and President of Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi. “Hale Pilina represents more than just a housing initiative. It embodies hope, healing, and our dedication to supporting the people of Maui as they rebuild their lives and communities.”
Project Profile: Hale Pilina – Affordable Family Housing
Location: 150 South Puʻunēnē Avenue, Kahului, Maui
Developer: Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation (CCHDC)
Target Population: Families earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
Priority Placement: Families affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires (first two years)
Key Features:
- First affordable rental housing project by CCHDC specifically for families
- 178 total units
- 89 one-bedroom units
- 89 two-bedroom units
- Two three-story buildings and two four-story buildings
- Designed with community in mind: shared spaces and amenities to promote connection and support
Estimated Completion: Q2 2027
Occupancy Goal: End of 2027
More Than Just a Name
The name Hale Pilina carries deep meaning. While many are familiar with hale meaning “house” or “home,” pilina is rooted in Hawaiian values — representing relationships, associations, and the deep connections that hold people and communities together.
“We all know that ‘hale’ means house or home. But ‘pilina’ is an important value in Hawaiian culture — meaning relationship, association, and connection,” said Denise Iseri-Matsubara, Executive Director of CCHDC. “It speaks to the bonds the residents will share with each other and the strength that comes from being united — like pili grass that clings tightly together to form hale pili.”
Hale Pilina, like its name, is about creating lasting bonds — not just through bricks and mortar, but through a deep sense of belonging and community.
Housing That Heals
Scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027, Hale Pilina will offer 178 apartment units — evenly split between one- and two-bedroom layouts. Families earning up to 60% of the area median income (AMI) will be eligible, with priority given to those impacted by the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires for the first two years.
More than just a place to live, Hale Pilina will offer families a chance to reset, rebuild, and reestablish roots in the heart of Kahului.
Part of a Growing Legacy
Hale Pilina joins a growing list of impactful projects led by CCHDC across the state:
- Hale Hoaloha on Oʻahu provides short-term affordable housing for individuals and families working toward self-sufficiency.
- Meheula Vista, in Mililani Mauka, is an affordable senior housing community designed to help residents “age in place” with supportive services and on-site amenities.
- Kahului Lani, located nearby in Kahului, offers affordable senior rentals that empower older residents to remain active and independent within their community.
These developments reflect CCHDC’s holistic approach to housing — where affordability is just the beginning, and services, care, and culture are interwoven to support long-term well-being.
Collaboration and Support
The Hale Pilina project is made possible through strong collaboration with community and government partners. Maryl Group Construction Inc. serves as the general contractor, and Design Partners Incorporated (DPI) leads the architectural design. Funding support comes from:
- Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
- Hula Mae Multi-Family Tax-Exempt Bonds
- State of Hawaiʻi Rental Housing Revolving Fund
- County of Maui Affordable Housing Fund
- County of Maui HOME Fund
Maui County’s Department of Housing and various agencies under the Development Services Administration were instrumental in securing the necessary supplemental funding, permits, and approvals.
Looking Ahead
For Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation, the mission remains clear: to build not just housing, but homes that uphold dignity, honor culture, and strengthen community.
For the future residents of Hale Pilina, those values will be more than words — they will be the foundation of a new life filled with opportunity, connection, and hope.
