Oct 2014 

  

Workshops are free to attend

  

Attendees MUST  first submit a completed client intake packet before workshop registration

• Oct 25th
• Nov 15th
• Dec 13th

Maui

For more information or to register for a workshop in your community, contact HCA at 1.866.400.1116

Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association Receives 2014 Native Hawaiian Housing Award

HCA is proud to announce the winner of the 2014 Native Hawaiian Housing Award - Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association!

The award was accepted by Kamake Kanehele (pictured above), president of the Nanakuli associaton, during the 13th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention.  The Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association received the award for its commuity's leadership in the first-ever Hawaiian Homelands Beneficiary-run, nonprofit affordable rental housing development project, Hale Makana O Nanakuli.

In response to overcrowded households, severely dilapidated houses, and the lack of affordable housing opportunities in the Nanakuli Homesteads, Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association forged a working relationship with the nonprofit Hawaiian Community Development Board and California company Urban Housing Communities to develop a $15 million, 48-unit affordable rental housing project in Nanakuli.  Construction was completed December 20, 2013.  The Hale Makana O Nanakuli project (pictured below) is now providing safe, secure transitional and long-term rental housing designed to meet the needs of Nanakuli community, with focus on Nanakuli's low-income Hawaiian families who earn 40% and 30% below the annual median income.  It is providing immediate relief to many Nanakuli families with too many members living in the same household, to families living in dangerous dilapidated houses, or families who have been forced to abandon their homes.

OHA Invests $60,000 in HCA Native Hawaiian Financial Literacy Project

HAWAII - The State Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has awarded HCA $60,000 to implement the Native Hawaiian Financial Literacy Project beginning November 1, 2014.

The funds will support the delivery of free, HUD-certified financial literacy workshops and financial counseling to 250 Native Hawaiians across the state who are at or below 250% the Federal Poverty Guidelines.  Workshops and counseling will be delivered by HUD-certified trainers and counselors using HCA's culturally-relevant curriculum, Kahua Waiwai: Building a Foundation of Wealth(c).

"We mahalo OHA for their investment in HUD-certified financial literacy - services that have proven successful in assisting families [in Hawaii] and across the nation build savings, reduce debt, and realize their financial and housing goals," said HCA Executive Director, Jeff Gilbreath.

According to Gilbreath, the project will build a pipeline of financially qualified Hawaiians able to access capital for financial and economic goals, including career development, affordable housing, education, and small business development.  Participants who complete workshops and counseling will be eligible to receive $2,000 in match savings for rental housing and loans for debt reduction, small business development, home rehabilitation, and mortgage reinstatement to prevent foreclosure.  Financial products will be provided by Native Community Development Financial Institutions - Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and Hawaii Community Lending, Office of Hawaiian Affairs' Malama Loan Program, and mainstream financial institutions.

During the project period, HCA will track the amount of capital participants are able to secure through match savings and loans as well as increases in household income, savings, and net worth and decreases in debt and debt-to-income ratio.

Enroll Today!

Call HCA today to enroll in free financial literacy workshops and cousneling at 808.587.7886, (toll-free) 1.866.400.1116, or visit www.HawaiianCommunity.net.

Young Hawaiian Leader Recognized Nationally as Innovative Financial Educator

HAWAII - Young Hawaiian Leader and HCA Program Coordinator, Lahela Williams (pictured right), has been recognized nationally as an Innovative Financial Educator.  The recognition will include a $1,000 sponsorship by Visa Inc. for Ms. Williams to attend the Jump$tart Coalition National Educator Conference in Los Angeles on November 8-10, 2014.

"I am humbled to be one of six individuals selected across the country for recognition as an Innovative Financial Educator," shared Williams, who was born and raised in the Papakolea Homestead community. "This accolade really belongs to our cohort of Certified Kahua Waiwai Trainers, who have collectively influenced our work.  HCA's culturally-relevant, community based approach to financial education has proven effective for our low- and moderate-income families.  I look forward to attending the conference in California to bring back new resources and materials."

Ms. Williams was selected as an Innovative Financial Educator among 386 applicants nationwide.  She was chosen for her work in leading a cohort of certified financial trainers who have collectively served more than 556 Waianae and Nanakuli High School students with financial education over the last 2 years.

Ms. Williams joined HCA in 2011 with a background in community organizing and youth education.  She coordinates HCA's Kahua Waiwai Financial Training Program, provides HUD-certified housing and financial education services, and offers training and technical assistance to organization partners for the delivery of Kahua Waiwai Financial Education Programs statewide.

Her professional certifications include HUD certification through NeighborWorks America for rental, pre-purchase, and financial capability counseling, pre-purchase workshop delivery, and youth leadership development.  She has served on the Boards of Kewalo Hawaiian Homestead Association and Kula No Na Po'e Hawaii.  As a member of the Hawaii Jump$tart Coalition, Ms. Williams has been active in policy/advocacy to support Universal Children's Savings Accounts in Hawaii. 

Kahua Waiwai Financial Trainer Certification Course

Hawaii's Only Course Offering Trainer Certification in Place-Based Financial Education

November 13th & 14th

9:00a-4:00p

HCA Office

4523 Ioane Road

Anahola, HI 96703

(white building located in the

Anahola marketplace) 

Certification training offered by Hawaii-based, nonprofit HUD-certified financial education provider, Hawaiian Community Assets.  Certifies staff and volunteers from community-based organizations, education and financial institutions, government agencies, and businesses to deliver place-based financial education using the Kahua Waiwai: Building a Foundation of Wealth(c) curriculum.

"[Kahua Waiwai] is the only culturally-competent financial education curriculum I've seen out there."

~ Alex Logan, Salvation Army Trainer, 2009

Attendees receive:

*16 hours of training and instruction

*1 participant handbook

*1 instructors guide with instructor cd-rom

*Access to Kahua Waiwai(c) curriculum for youth and adult participants

*Ongoing training and technical assistance

*Free credit report review and counseling by HUD-certified HCA staff 

Click Here to Register for Only $150!

Mortgage Assistance Fairs Offer Free HUD Counseling and Up to $30k in Loans for Mortgage Payments

HAWAII - HCA has scheduled Mortgage Assistance Fairs on Kauai, Hawaii Island, and Oahu now through December to assist homeowners on and off Hawaiian Homelands sustain homeownership and prevent foreclosure.

In Fairs held recently on Maui and Molokai, HCA has served 95 families with HUD counseling to help develop affordable household budgets, review credit, and create action plans to sustain homeownership.  Homeowners who attend the Fairs are given the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a HUD-certified counselor to identify options and actions to prevent foreclosure.

Upcoming Fairs will be conducted at the following locations in October, November, and December:

HCA staff have a combined 50+ years experience serving Hawaiian Home Lands Beneficiaries and Lesees with:

• Budget and credit counseling
• Communicating with lenders
• Securing loan modifications and workout plans
• Accessing grants and loans for mortgage reinstatement
• Preparing Successors for homeownership

Attend a Fair in Your Community

1) Call to register: 808.587.7657 or email karen@hawaiiancommunity.net

2) Get Started Today - Complete a Client Intake Packet 

National Award to HCA for Financial Products Targeting Homeless Native Hawaiians

WASHINGTON, DC - Hawaii nonprofit, Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA), was recognized as one of five leading asset building organizations in the nation as part of the 2014 Assets Learning Conference Platforms for Prosperity Contest.

HCA, a HUD-certified housing counseling agency and Native Community Development Financial Institution, was recognized during the Conference awards dinner for the success of its Renters MATCH Savings Account and Credit Builder Micro-Loan products helping homeless Native Hawaiians secure affordable rental housing.  Renters MATCH provides a 4:1 match on participant savings up to $500 to pay rent and deposits, while the Credit Builder Micro-Loan helps homeless Native Hawaiians reduce debt and improve credit.  The products were established by HCA in 2011 with investments from the State Office of Hawaiian Affairs and have resulted in stable, affordable rental housing for 134 Native Hawaiian children and adults.

 

HCA received the Where We Live Award for its work with Native Hawaiians to provide bridges out of homelessness and create stability and opportunity for families.  View Hawaiian Community Assets Video and Awards Article here. 

 

ALC Conference Awards Emcee and CFED Chief External Relations Officer, Kim Pate (pictured below, right), shared her reflections on the Conference awards,

 

Source: Corporation for Enterprise Development

That evening we honored five organizations on the frontlines for their commitment to transforming lives one at a time through innovation, dedication and delivering essential services. Five leaders in the field committed to creating financial security in their communities across meaningful and tangible platforms(...)People committed to a simple but powerful idea that by creating economic opportunity, we can alleviate poverty. People who have bought into the game-changing idea that given a reasonable opportunity, every family can save, build assets and create a more prosperous future for themselves and their children.

 

The Assets Learning Conference is an annual convening of organizations engaged in asset building strategies for low- and moderate-income communities across the nation.  The Conference is held by the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), a 35-year old national nonprofit that

VISTA Program Brings Kahua Waiwai to Molokai, Improves Students' Financial Literacy

by Jennifer Brown, Sust`āina ble Molokai

HOOLEHUA, HI - Financial literacy is an integral part of our everyday lives.  However, it is currently not a mandated subject within our educational system.  Thus, many of us learn how to manage our money through our experiences and unfortunately, our mistakes.

 In 2012, HCA partnered with Sust`āina ble Molokai to integrate financial literacy programming on Molokai.  This was a result of Sust`āina ble Molokai's 2012 Agricultural Needs Assessment and the 2003 Focus Maui Nui proceedings, which indicated a significant lack of island food security and need for agricultural entrepreneurial support.  Together, HCA and Sust`āina ble Molokai incorporated Kahua Waiwai into existing institutions, led by AmeriCorps VISTA member, Jennifer Brown (pictured left with Molokai youth).  With an initial investment from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), 5 key Molokai residents were able to receive training to become certified to teach Kahua Waiwai, Opio Edition(c).  As certified trainers, these individuals introduced Kahua Waiwai into select programs on Molokai, including the Molokai Middle School April 2014.

"Jennifer's passion and enthusiasm are the reasons for Kahua Waiwai's success on Molokai," said Jeff Gilbreath, HCA Executive Director.  "She has been able to bring the community together to define their financial needs and delivered a program that is helping increase financial capabilities of children and families.  Her hard work is truly building community capacity."

During month, after-school students at the Molokai Middle School were introduced to financial literacy concepts.  Lessons were taught on financial goal setting, the cost and benefits of financial decisions, andbudgeting and savings.  Lessons were age-appropriate and designed based on the Kahua Waiwai curriculum and the students' financial literacy baseline as per the February 2014 focus group conducted by the current AmeriCorps member and coordinator of Molokai financial literacy efforts at Sust`āina ble Molokai.

Two 7th graders that participated in the program stated they "learned to use money carefully" and "learned to focus on [individual] needs instead of wants".  To help document financial learning growth, pre- and post-assessment tests were administered which proved Molokai Middle School students improved their ability to comprehend financial concepts.

• 36% increased their capability to differentiate a "need";
• 30% improved their ability to assess a "want";
• 17% improved their aptitude to recognize a budget as a written plan for monthly income and expenses, and;
• 37% improved their capacity to determine income, expenses, and savings as three elements within a budget.

Financial literacy lessons were planned within the after-school setting and integrated into the core curriculum classes at the Molokai Middle School through the remainder of the school year. Sust`āina ble Molokai continuously seeks to build community-based partnerships in order to increase financial literacy program capacity.

Molokai resident Suliana Aki attended a community financial workshop and proclaimed the experience to be "very important for Molokai in order for people to become aware and take control of their money situations".

In the coming year, the organization hopes to extend programming efforts to the Molokai High School with the aim to build business and entrepreneurial support programs based upon Kahua Waiwai financial literacy principles.  In accordance with HCA's original vision for Kahua Waiwai, Sust`āina ble Molokai aspires to create significant youth financial literacy programming on Molokai in order to equip the island's future generations with the tools necessary to become capable and knowledgeable financial stewards.

For financial literacy programming inquiries on Molokai, please contact Sust`āina ble Molokai Executive Director, Emillia Noordhoek, via email at emillia@sustainablemolokai.org or by phone at 808.560.5410.