Sen. Schatz, local leaders discuss expanding Native Hawaiian housing access

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz met with local leaders to discuss ways to expand housing access for Native Hawaiians.

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The roundtable focused on partnerships and new approaches aimed at increasing housing development amid Hawaii’s ongoing housing shortage.

“Hawaii’s housing crisis affects everyone, including Native Hawaiians,” Schatz said. “We simply have to make it easier to build housing.”

Schatz was joined by state Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair Kali Watson, Hawaiian Council President and CEO Kuhio Lewis, Housing Hawaii’s Future Executive Director Lee Wang and Hawaii YIMBY Chapter Lead Damien Waikoloa.

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The group discussed challenges to getting more housing built and what federal support could help.

Earlier this year, Schatz introduced the bipartisan NAHASDA Modernization Act, legislation aimed at reauthorizing and updating federal housing programs serving Native Hawaiians and other Native communities.

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