Vibrant murals mark Kalihi kauhale’s phase-two expansion
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hoʻokahi Leo Kauhale in Kalihi is celebrating its upcoming expansion with a pop of color.
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The village of tiny homes opened Middle Street in December 2023 with 20 units and support services for homeless residents.
Developer HomeAid Hawaii is adding 30 units and recreational area by the end of the month.
Phillis Atuailevao, better known as “Aunty Kehau,” is one of the kauhale’s original residents.
“I am so glad and can’t wait to the new project, the new side of the phase two opens up because there’s a lot of people out here that really need the help,” Atuailevao told Hawaii News Now.
Aunty Kehau and the rest of the original community still call the kauhale home, facing their challenges together head-on.
“We still have a lot of hiccups in the road, but by using the tools that were provided to us and working together and being consistent with each other,” Atuailevao said. “Our community has come a long way.”
It was that sense of community that prompted HomeAid to expand the footprint of the kauhale.
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“It was actually one of our first kauhales when governor first got elected to his first term,” HomeAid Hawaii CEO Kimo Carvalho said. “They really have been the most successful at showing that community can heal each other’s trauma, they can actually help mobilize each other’s ability to thrive.”
In addition to the new units, local artist Marko Livingston is adding a pop of color with vibrant murals.
“I wanted to create something that was similar to something that you might have seen centuries ago,” Livingston said. “Something just beautiful and peaceful where people would wake up and hear the birds and everything else going on, hear the ocean.”
Livingston put the finishing touches on the three wall murals on Friday before working on a ground mural that will be near the entryway.
His work is a welcome piece of scenery for a soon-to-be growing community.
“This one very meaningful more than other murals just because it’s more of giving back and giving something for people who normally don’t get to enjoy stuff like this,” Livingston said.
“I like what he’s doing because it shows Hawaii, you know, olden days,” Atuailevao said. “Maybe along the way he’ll grow from where we are when we first started to growing into where we are right now.”
HomeAid Hawaii is seeking volunteers to put the finishing touches on the kauhale before the official opening.
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