Waimanalo kauhale faces community pushback over major expansion plans

WAIMANALO (HawaiiNewsNow) — A nonprofit operating a kauhale for homeless residents in Waimanalo is planning to move and significantly expand its village, drawing a grassroots opposition effort from some neighbors.

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Hui Mahiʻai ‘Aina, led by CEO Blanche McMillan, currently operates 59 tiny homes housing 106 homeless residents. The organization has received recognition from Gov. Josh Green and others. McMillan is now planning to build 300 tiny homes to house 600 people on a different section of ‘Oluʻolu Street.

“If I had my dream. I’ll be honest with you. One-thousand people. This is my dream,” McMillan said.

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Neighbors organize opposition

Some neighbors have formed a group called Pono ‘Oluʻolu and launched a petition to stop the development. Cindy Parker, a neighbor and member of Pono ‘Oluʻolu, said the community has concerns about the scale of the project.

“I wasn’t happy because we’ve lived here all our lives. This is country,” Parker said. “We are not ready for all these people coming from around the state.”

Kanela Kamahalohanuilai, also with Pono ‘Oluʻolu, said the petition aims to stop the development.

“The petition is asking to stop the development to allow the conversation to come back and to protect the beneficiaries of DHHL,” Kamahalohanuilai said.

Flooding concerns sharpen debate

During the Kona Low storms, parts of the village and surrounding properties were flooded. Hui Mahiʻai ‘Aina had built a four-foot retaining wall before the storms, which has sharpened debate over flooding impacts.

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Neighbor Bernard Sampanga, a member of Pono ‘Oluʻolu, said the wall has affected properties along the street.

“The impact on my property, I could see it. I know how far this wall goes and it’s impacted everybody else on ‘Oluʻolu Street,” Sampanga said.

McMillan defended the retaining wall and the planned location of the new homes.

“That is not a flood zone. Here is the flood zone. That’s why we are putting homes on that side. We put the retaining wall so we can protect my people,” McMillan said.

McMillan says she is moving forward

McMillan said the planned expansion site is more than eight acres and that she hopes to begin building next month if plans proceed as expected.

“Blanche is fighting for the homeless rights, but as she’s fighting for the homeless rights, she’s putting our rights out,” said Paul Vega, neighbor and member of Pono ‘Oluʻolu.

Opponents say roughly 400 people have signed the petition so far. McMillan said she intends to continue with her plans.

“I’m just sticking to my plan. I’m going to go all the way with my plan. Whatever they are saying, that is their business. My business is to take care of our people,” McMillan said.

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