Opening Doors: Affordable Homeownership on Hawaiʻi Island

Owning a home in Hawaiʻi is often out of reach for local families, but a new partnership is showing that there’s another way forward. On August 22, the Uyeda ʻohana celebrated moving into their new 3-bedroom, 2-bath house in Hilo, a milestone that also marks progress in the island’s fight for affordable housing.

The home was made possible through a collaboration between Hawaiʻi County and HALE O Hawaiʻi Community Land Trust. Their approach is based on a community land trust model, where families buy homes through long-term leases while the land remains in trust. This reduces costs for buyers and ensures the property stays affordable for future generations.

Funding for the pilot home came from the county’s Affordable Housing Production Program, paired with state-owned land leased for 65 years to HALE O Hawaiʻi. Another home in Volcano has already been completed under the same model, with additional projects in progress.

County leaders say this strategy represents more than just one family’s success. It’s a blueprint for long-term housing stability, one that allows local families to put down roots without being priced out. By combining government support with community stewardship, Hawaiʻi Island is beginning to build homes that will remain affordable for generations.

Source: Big Island Now