WASHINGTON — A Hawaii college and university will receive $1.5 million to fund the preservation of a Native Hawaiian fishpond and to help build an affordable housing project on the Waianae Coast, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye announced today.

The University of Hawaii West Oahu and Windward Community College received two grants totaling $1,515,806 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“The Native Hawaiian people are confronted by a unique set of challenges and we must do whatever we can to improve their prospects and help preserve and celebrate their rich heritage,” Inouye said. “These funds will help cement their history here and help those who need assistance as they try to put their lives back together.”

To qualify for the grants, at least 10 percent of a school's undergraduate population must be Native Hawaiian and the institution must be a two- or four-year school and fully accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.


Windward Community College will be receiving $799,318 and will partner with the Pacific American Foundation to purchase the Waikalua Loko Fishpond in Kaneohe; demolish and clear hazardous structures; and implement an educational and cultural program to enhance stewardship and preservation of the Waikalua Loko Fishpond. The project is designed to provide a stronger sense of stewardship of the land and preservation of the Native Hawaiian culture.

UH West Oahu will get $716,488 and will use its HUD grant to help build the Hale Makana O Nanakuli housing project. The housing facility will be located in Nanakuli, a community with a large Native Hawaiian population.
Hale Makana O Nanakuli will provide affordable long-term rental housing for families leaving the Waianae emergency shelter and/or transitional housing programs. The facility will also serve as a learning center to: educate and assist families in obtaining financing to purchase homes; teach financial literacy and provide tax preparation assistance; teach life-management skills, such as drug rehabilitation, job rehabilitation, anger management, and other programs; teach health and fitness to the community; and inform and promote college education to high school students and their parents.