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| Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and her Halau O Leonalani recently hosted Halau I Ka Leo Ola Nā Mamo under the direction of Kumu Hula Pele Harman, of Kea'au at the Pu'uhonua in Nā'ālehu. Ryder and halau also danced and are getting ready for Merrie Monarch week performances. See more below. Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses. |
MATCHING GRANTS FOR HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS BENEFICIARIES OF UP TO $5,000 each to help them build or buy homes was announced Monday by Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. DHHL has partnered with homestead nonprofit, Hawaiian Lending & Investments, to provide direct assistance to
beneficiaries looking to construct, or purchase, a home on Hawaiian Home Lands.
DHHL Act 279 Down Payment Assistance Program will match Hawai'i Lending & Investments grants of up to $5,000 that are awarded to eligible DHHL beneficiaries on any of DHHL's Application Waiting Lists and those holding undivided interest homestead leases.
"Getting our families into homes is at the forefront of our mission," said DHHL Director Kali Watson. "Through our collaboration with HLI, we are able to make a direct and immediate difference for our beneficiaries by providing financial support and eliminating obstacles to home ownership."
DHHL's memorandum of agreement with HLI dedicates $250,000 of the department's general revenues appropriated by Act 279 to fund the program.
"Our HLI team, and our board members from every island region, appreciate the purposes of this MOA," said Rolina Faagai, HLI executive director. "HLI will facilitate a matching grant from DHHL to waitlist families that receive funding support from any number of agencies that specialize in down payment assistance."
Founded by the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, HLI will be responsible for determining a beneficiary's eligibility and administering the match awards. Sovereign Council chair KipuKai Kuali'i said, "This initial investment is a great start; it won't resolve 29,000 on the Waitlist, but it supports those DHHL has or will be awarding lots to. As a coalition of Homestead Beneficiary Associations across the state this partnership is exactly the kind of work we want HLI to be doing with the DHHL." For more information contact HLI@hawaiianhomesteads.org.
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| KipuKai Kuali'i, Chair of the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, which founded the org that will give grants for building or buying homes on Hawaiian Lands. |
DHHL Act 279 Down Payment Assistance Program will match Hawai'i Lending & Investments grants of up to $5,000 that are awarded to eligible DHHL beneficiaries on any of DHHL's Application Waiting Lists and those holding undivided interest homestead leases.
"Getting our families into homes is at the forefront of our mission," said DHHL Director Kali Watson. "Through our collaboration with HLI, we are able to make a direct and immediate difference for our beneficiaries by providing financial support and eliminating obstacles to home ownership."
DHHL's memorandum of agreement with HLI dedicates $250,000 of the department's general revenues appropriated by Act 279 to fund the program.
"Our HLI team, and our board members from every island region, appreciate the purposes of this MOA," said Rolina Faagai, HLI executive director. "HLI will facilitate a matching grant from DHHL to waitlist families that receive funding support from any number of agencies that specialize in down payment assistance."
Founded by the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, HLI will be responsible for determining a beneficiary's eligibility and administering the match awards. Sovereign Council chair KipuKai Kuali'i said, "This initial investment is a great start; it won't resolve 29,000 on the Waitlist, but it supports those DHHL has or will be awarding lots to. As a coalition of Homestead Beneficiary Associations across the state this partnership is exactly the kind of work we want HLI to be doing with the DHHL." For more information contact HLI@hawaiianhomesteads.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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| Halau Hula O Leionalani hosted halau from Kea'au recently with free performances at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua in Nā'ālehu and heads to Merrie Monarch week to share hula. Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses |
HALAU HULA O LEONALANI has a full Merrie Monarch schedule coming up, with a performance on Sunday, March 31 at the Hilo Civic at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, April 3 at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel at 1 p.m., and on Saturday, April 6 at noon at Hilo Hawaiian.
The halau, under the direction of Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, also performed on Saturday, March 16, hosting a halau from Kea'au at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua in Nā'ālehu. Halau I Ka Leo Ola Nā Mamo is under the direction of Kumu Hula Pele Harman.
Halau Hula O Leionalani is fundraising for a visit to Mexico and leaves April 23, flying to Honolulu to Houston and Cancoon for a six day stay. The halau will perform at Riviera Maya Splash resort and also participate in workshops with the kumu's students from Mexico and Japan. The Mexican and Japanese halau will compete in Cancoon. Hawaiian musician Lorna Lim will teach in the workshops with Ryder.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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| Mayor Mitch Roth and Executive Assistant Pōmaikaʻi Bartolome with statue of Kūhiō in Mayor's Office in Hilo Photo by Cyrus Johnasen |
people" is on loan to the Mayor's office, says a statement from the county.
The sculpture, crafted by Allen Ipo Auwae, son of the late Henry Auwae, a respected Hawaiian Kahuna Lāʻau Lapaʻau, "stands as a tribute to Prince Kūhiō's commitment to enhancing the lives of Native Hawaiians. Prince Kūhiō's legacy includes his work in enacting the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act while serving as the second Native Hawaiian elected as a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. This Act has since granted thousands of Native Hawaiians homesteads and continues to be a pivotal part of Hawaiian land policy today," says the statement.
"We are honored to have this beautiful sculpture of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole in our office," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "Prince Kūhiō's leadership and advocacy for the Hawaiian people continues to inspire us today, and we are proud to pay tribute to his legacy."
The sculpture will be held in the Mayor's Office until the Auwae ʻOhana decides on a final resting place.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
The sculpture, crafted by Allen Ipo Auwae, son of the late Henry Auwae, a respected Hawaiian Kahuna Lāʻau Lapaʻau, "stands as a tribute to Prince Kūhiō's commitment to enhancing the lives of Native Hawaiians. Prince Kūhiō's legacy includes his work in enacting the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act while serving as the second Native Hawaiian elected as a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. This Act has since granted thousands of Native Hawaiians homesteads and continues to be a pivotal part of Hawaiian land policy today," says the statement.
"We are honored to have this beautiful sculpture of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole in our office," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "Prince Kūhiō's leadership and advocacy for the Hawaiian people continues to inspire us today, and we are proud to pay tribute to his legacy."
The sculpture will be held in the Mayor's Office until the Auwae ʻOhana decides on a final resting place.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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| Junson Heckerz, wanted by HPD |
Heckerz has two outstanding warrants for his arrest that were issued in 2022 and is wanted for questioning in five separate theft investigations.
Heckerz, who also goes by “Jay” or “Noel”, is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has the tattoo of his last name on his left arm.
Alves has an outstanding warrant for her arrest which was issued in 2022 and is wanted for questioning in four different criminal investigations, including theft and narcotics investigations. She is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 125 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo on her left neck area that reads "Ronald" and has tattoos on both thighs.
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| Justina Alves, wanted by HPD |
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either Heckerz or Alves is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make a tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
Koi is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, 155 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
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| Matthew Koi, wanted by HPD |
Hawai‘i Police Department would also like to remind the public that harboring or concealing a wanted person could result in criminal charges being filed against the person who harbors or conceals the wanted person.
Persons with information on Koi’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can report a tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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