Kawailehua Community Alliance is a tenant-led effort at Kawailehua Public Housing in Kōloa, Hawaiʻi, where kūpuna on fixed incomes, disabled residents, mothers and children, and immigrant families have found a home when there were no other options. For many, this is not transitional housing—it is the last stop before homelessness.

For years, our community has lived without consistent on-site management, coordinated safety oversight, or a functional grievance process. The harm has been real, but so has our resilience.

Residents came together to organize and create the Kawailehua Community Alliance, building safety, accountability, and healing where systems have failed. We are not seeking punishment, but rather restorative, community-centered solutions grounded in Hawaiian values: Moʻolelo, ʻIke, Hana, Pono, Mālama, and Kuleana.

Our immediate goal is to open an on-site Family Resource Center—a space for safety coordination, elder and disability advocacy, youth and family programming, and trauma-informed support. Funds raised will be used to cover initial nonprofit filing and setup costs, equip and open the Family Resource Center, and support community safety and care coordination.

This work has been funded out of pocket by board leadership to date, and we are operating with a fiscal partner while completing nonprofit formation. We are committed to transparency and responsible stewardship.

If you believe in community-led care, safety, and dignity, your support makes this possible. Mahalo for standing with us. We are rising—together—in kuleana.

Wish List – Family Resource Center & Safety Support

If you prefer to support through supplies rather than monetary donations, the following items directly support the opening and operation of our on-site Family Resource Center:

Resource Center Setup: folding tables, stackable chairs, lockable storage cabinets, shelving units, area rugs or floor mats, whiteboard or bulletin board

Office & Administrative Supplies: printer and ink cartridges, paper, folders, clipboards, locking file box, extension cords and surge protectors

Safety & Community Care: WYZE cameras for laundry and community rooms, outdoor lighting or solar lights, first aid kits, flashlights, reflective safety vests, fire extinguishers

Youth & Family Programming: art supplies (paper, markers, crayons, paint), board games and puzzles, children’s books, floor cushions or bean bags

Comfort & Hospitality: water dispenser or electric kettle, reusable cups, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes

Nourishment Center: unopened food donations

(fridge/freezer available)

(Specific items or brands can be coordinated upon request.)