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Hawaiian Community Assets Newsletter
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| Quarterly Newsletter |
Oct 2015
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Mahalo to Our
Annual Partners
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2015 Homebuyer
Workshop Schedule
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Workshops are free to attend
Attendees MUST first submit a completed client intake packet before workshop registration
Oahu
Kapolei - DHHL Hale Ponoi
8:30a - 5:30p
Maui
Lahaina - Friends of Mokuula
8:30a - 5:30p
Big Island
Hilo - Hawaii County Office
Building
8:30a - 5p
Kauai
Kekaha - Kekaha Enterprise Center
8:30a-5:30p
Lihue - Kauai County Building -
includes 2 part workshop series
5p - 9p
- Nov 3rd & 5th
- Dec 1st & 3rd
For more information or to register for a workshop in your community, contact HCA at 1.866.400.1116
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Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) is a nonprofit HUD-certified housing counseling agency with a mission to build the capacity of low and moderate income communities to achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency with a particular focus on Native Hawaiians.
HCA owns Hawaii Community Lending, a nonprofit, Native community development financial institution (CDFI) that increases access to capital for Native Hawaiians residing in Hawaii.
HCA offers this quarterly newsletter to provide you with updated information on current development services and financial products:
- Youth and Family Financial Education
- Renter Education and Counseling
- Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Education and Counseling
- Post-Purchase Education and Counseling
- Foreclosure/Lease Cancellation Prevention Services
- Training and Technical Assistance
- MATCH Savings (IDAs)
- Micro-Loans
- Loan Packaging
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Community Forum Identifies Recommendations to Address Hawaii's Homeless Crisis
HAWAII - During the 14th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention, Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) facilitated a Community Solutions Forum on Homelessness that resulted in 8 recommendations to address Hawaii's growing homeless crisis. The recommendations were drafted as part of a Community Solutions Forum on Homelessness Report that was presented to Governor Ige's Administration following the Convention.
54 individuals attended the forum including community members, nonprofit leaders, Hawaiian Homelands advocates, government representatives, policymakers, and financial institutions. Recommendations were presented by Forum participants and discussed through group dialogue for drafting.
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$2.1 Million
Funds committed by local nonprofits to support the Forum recommendations
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One recommendation included a proposed $10 million project to develop 400 Accessory Dwelling Units on Hawaiian Home Lands by tapping into existing Native American and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) Funds available at the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The ADUs would be intended to help reduce the 34,000+ waitlist for Hawaiian Home Lands.
"The development of ADUs is a game-changer for our families and the State," said Hawaiian Community Development Board Executive Director, Kali Watson, highlighting recent passage of Bill 20 by the City and County of Honolulu signed into law by Mayor Kirk Caldwell on September 14th. "There are approximately 2,000 Homestead lots on Oahu that are eligible for ADUs which could provide relief for our people."
Additional recommendations called for investments in self-help housing, Native CDFIs, and affordable rental housing development for students and kupuna on Hawaiian Home Lands.
Hawaiian Community Assets and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement offered to leverage $2.1 million over the next 2 years to support the recommendations. Leverage funds would go to support HUD-certified housing counseling, ADU workshops, housing IDAs, and financing for home construction.
"I am encouraged by the manao shared [at the Forum]. There were recommendations that seem more short-term as well as longer-term recommendations that will require key stakeholders to come together, have meaningful conversations, and lay out roles and responsibilities to help address our homeless crisis," said HCA Executive Director and Forum facilitator, Jeff Gilbreath. "The Forum opened the floor for community-based solutions and highlighted strategies currently being implemented that could leverage $42 million NAHASDA funds to help address our homeless crisis."
For more information about the Forum, please call HCA's office at 808.587.7886 or email info@hawaiiancommunity.net.
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MATCH Savings Grants & Micro-Loans Up to $5,000 Available to Native Hawaiians!
 HCA is offering up to $5,000 in MATCH Savings grants and micro-loans to low- and moderate-income Native Hawaiians to assist with renting or owning a home.
- MATCH Savings Accounts: 2:1 match on savings up to $1,000 for a total of $2,000 for housing-related expenses
- Micro-Loans: Up to $5,000 to pay off payday loans and collections, reduce debt, and build credit
 Call Today to Enroll!
808.587.7886
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!!ATTENTION HOMEOWNERS!!
STATEWIDE MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE FAIRS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015
9AM - 6PM
HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY ASSETS OFFICES
Receive free financial counseling and assistance applying for a loan modification.
Click Here for a Flyer
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Kamehameha Schools and HCA Annual Partners Invest $43k in Youth Financial Education
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| | From left to right: HCA Board members Jeff Ling, Malia Akutagawa, Michelle Kauhane, Noelle Kai, Kamehameha Schools' Ron Cox, and HCA Executive Director, Jeff Gilbreath. |
On Sunday, September 20, 2015 Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) honored Kamehameha Schools with its 2015 Next Generation Investor Award.
The Award was presented to Kamehameha Schools during HCA's Annual Youth Financial Literacy Gala for its investment of $37,000 in the Kahua Waiwai Youth Financial Education Program, a program that provides Hawaii youth with place-based, age-appropriate financial education in schools and through after school programs statewide.
"It is HCA's honor to present Kamehameha Schools with the 2015 Next Generation Investor Award," shared HCA Board member, Noelle Kai (pictured above). "It is important to note that every $1 that is invested in the Kahua Waiwai Youth Financial Education Program goes to support local jobs for local families at HCA, YouthVision Hawaii, and Obun Printing."
According to Kai, Kamehameha Schools' investment has resulted in additional investments totaling $6,290 from HCA's Annual Partners - Honsador Lumber, Sandwich Isles Communications, First Hawaiian Bank, Territorial Savings Bank, and ProSpecialty.
Kamehameha Schools' investment has also been leveraged by HCA to secure $267,823 in grant funds to launch the Kahua Waiwai Financial Training Academy which will provide 25 positions for high school age and college students as well as Hawaii residents in 2016. The Financial Training Academy will offer 3 certification tracks for High School Alakai Leaders, Financial Trainers, and Program Development staff. The goal of the Academy is to build the capacity of Hawaii's next generation of socially responsible community and commercial finance leaders dedicated to increasing the economic self-sufficiency of Hawaii's low- and moderate-income communities with a particular focus on Native Hawaiians. Academy participants will receive paid living allowances and up to $5,7000 in funds to pay for tuition, fees, books, and student loans upon graduation from the Academy.
"Through is new strategic plan, Kamehameha Schools is committed to leveraging community partnerships with organizations like Hawaiian Community Assets to achieve collective impact," said Kamehameha Schools representative, Ron Cox (pictured above).
For more information about HCA's Kahua Waiwai Youth Financial Education Program please contact 808.587.7886 or via email at info@hawaiiancommunity.net.
Mahalo to Our Annual Partners!
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 Financial Academy Accepting Applications for Paid Positions
The Kahua Waiwai Financial Training Academy offers 3 certification tracks ranging from Alakai Internships for high school students to Financial Trainers and Community Services Assistants positions.
Individuals interested in a career in community or commercial finance are encouraged to apply. Individuals accepted into the academy will receive stipends or living allowances during their enrollment. All certification tracks will require individuals to complete a 16-hour Financial Trainer certification course, receive ongoing training from HCA's HUD housing counselors and trainers, and complete a minimum number of service hours prior to successful graduation. Academy graduates may qualify for up to $5,700 in an education award to pay for college tuition or student loans and will be provided opportunities to pursue internships and entry-level positions with local banks, credit unions, and community development financial institutions.
Certification Track
| Required Hours
| Compensation
| Community Services Assistant
| 1700 hours
| $14,500 living allowance, health plan, and up to $5,700 in education award for college costs and loans
| Financial Trainer
| 300 hours
| $3,000 living allowance and up to $1,150 in education award for college costs and loans
| Alakai Leaders
| 100 hours
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$500 stipend
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Academy Accepting Applications
The Kahua Waiwai Financial Academy is currently accepting applications and resumes with cover letters from individuals interested in building career skills in the finance field. Positions are available on Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Kauai.
Individuals interested in applying to the Academy must complete an Application and submit with their resume and cover letter identifying the position they are interested in, to:
Hawaiian Community Assets
Kahua Waiwai Financial Training Academy
200 N Vineyard Boulevard, Suite A300
Honolulu, HI 96817
Program Development - Community Services Assistant: Individuals will develop and manage client intake for HCA, promote HCA services and products to the community, and assist HUD housing counselors. Community Services Assistant Position Description.
Financial Trainer: Individuals will coordinate and conduct Kahua Waiwai Financial Education workshops and assist HCA HUD trainers with housing and financial education workshops. Financial Trainer Position Description.
Alakai Leader: High school students who have completed Kahua Waiwai Financial Education will be certified to deliver Kahua Waiwai Financial Education to pre-school students on Oahu's Leeward Coast. Students will also meet as a Financial Capability Council to identify ways to promote financial education and asset building programs in their schools. Alakai Leader positions are currently closed to Youth MATCH Savings Accountholders only.
For more information about the Kahua Waiwai Financial Training Academy contact Ms. Williams at 808.587.7660 or via email at lahela@hawaiiancommunity.net.
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Students Build Over $2,500 in Summer Savings Using Youth MATCH Accounts
WAIANAE - 32 students from Waianae High School reported saving $2,518 over the summer toward college and career goals as part of their participation in the UH West Oahu Hoolumua GEAR UP Project. The students saved money in their Youth MATCH Savings Accounts, an account that offers youth under 18 a $1 opening deposit, no minimum balance or fees, and chances to win match funds up to $100 per month by making monthly deposits and no withdrawals.
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Youth MATCH Savings Account
Managing Assets to Change Hawaii
- Kahua Waiwai(c) Financial Education required
- $1 Opening Deposit
- No Minimum Balance
- No Fees
- Savings for college & career goals
- Up to $100 in match savings each month if deposits made & no withdrawals
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The Youth MATCH Savings Account product was developed by HCA and its Native-controlled CDFI, Hawaii Community Lending, using the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's SAFE Savings Account template and as a tool to incentivize students from low-income communities to save for college and career goals. The Accounts are administered by Bank of Hawaii and available to students, under 18 who have completed HCA's Kahua Waiwai Financial Education program.
The development of the Youth MATCH Savings Account has been funded by Rose Foundation. HCA and Bank of Hawaii project to expand access to the Youth MATCH Savings Account to students on Hawaii Island during the 2015-16 school year.
For more information about HCA's Youth MATCH Savings Account, contact Lahela Williams at 808.587.7660 or via email at lahela@hawaiiancommunity.net.
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HCA Welcomes on New Staff and VISTA Member to Team
HCA welcomes new staff and VISTA member to its team.
Program Coordinator, Rosalee Puaoi (pictured right) comes to HCA with over 15 years of experience in the public and private sectors delivering and managing programs dedicated to affordable housing, community development, financial literacy, asset building, post-secondary education, and resource development. Ms. Puaoi is a hiapo in her ohana and understands the importance of community, education and kuleana. As a Program Coordinator she shares her passion in helping others by providing training and technical assistance in youth and family financial education and financial counseling statewide. Rosalee is a third generation Waimanalo homesteader and believes that with ke akua, planning, and hardwork anything is attainable.
 Community Services Assistant, Terri Lemmer (pictured left) joined HCA in August 2015 to assist families in the organization's Homeowner and Foreclosure Prevention Program, originally having worked with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Application Branch as an administrative assistant for Dowling Company's development of Leialii and Waiehu Koa Phase 3. Through her work at DHHL, Ms. Lemmer gained understanding of beneficiary housing needs and the obstacles faced by low to moderate income families. Completing her contract in 2005, she continued community development work by joining Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement where she served as an Administrative Assistant, providing office management, executive management and staff assistance.
AmeriCorps Hawaii Regional VISTA Leader, Raga Nadella, (pictured right) previously served as a VISTA at the Baylor University Interdisciplinary Poverty Initiative in Waco, Texas, and as a Washington Service Corps heath promoter at Global to Local in Seattle. Raga has a BA in History/Sociology and a minor in Government from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She has also studied medical anthropology and enjoys working in the public health field. Raga grew up in Ohio and looks forward to exploring the great outdoors and Hawaiian culture.
 AmeriCorps VISTA member, Andrea Garry (picturedleft) is from Worcester, Massachusetts and recently graduated from Assumption College with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and a concentration in Brain, Behavior, and Cognition. During her studies, she worked at a short-term residential home for at-risk youth and the Office of Residential Life at Assumption College. During her four years, she served as Chair of the Alumni Committee for the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and was on a semi-pro cheerleading team, eventually leading as coach. While studying for a semester on Oahu, Andrea was moved by the strong influence of ohana, instilling a passion in her to return and serve the community.
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