HOPE Services Hawai‘i Acquires Kani Le'a Apartments to Provide Permanent Affordable Housing in Kona
April 01, 2025
Media Release
HOPE Services Hawai‘i Acquires Kani Leʻa Apartments to Provide Permanent Affordable Housing in Kona
KAILUA-KONA, HI – HOPE Services Hawai‘i has officially acquired the Kani Leʻa apartment building, expanding its efforts to provide permanent, affordable housing in West Hawai‘i. Located at 75-5706 Kalawa St. in the heart of Kailua-Kona, the complex comprises 12 two-bedroom, one-bath units that will serve families and individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.
HOPE Services will provide ongoing case management and connect tenants with the support they need to remain stably housed.
“We are thrilled to grow our capacity to serve our community in West Hawai‘i,” said HOPE Services Hawai'i CEO Brandee Menino. “The number one reason people experience homelessness is the high cost of housing. We took action when we saw an opportunity to create more stable, affordable homes.”
“Having spent two decades living and working in Kona, I am deeply inspired by the new direction we at HOPE are taking to directly address homelessness in Kona and across West Hawaii. These apartment units represent a profound step forward, offering tangible solutions by providing homes for our most vulnerable unsheltered neighbors,” added HOPE Services Director of West Hawai‘i Gideon Ramos.
Kani Leʻa was acquired through funding from the Oak Foundation Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“We extend our deepest gratitude to our funders and partners for their support in making this acquisition a reality,” said Menino. “We especially appreciate the guidance of Kehau Costa, County of Hawaiʻi Housing Administrator, and her team, who provided crucial technical assistance to help us meet HUD funding requirements. We are grateful that the current administration worked with us to find a solution.”
HOPE Services’ programs in West Hawai’i also include the West Hawai’i Emergency Housing Program (emergency shelter for adults), Hale Kīkaha permanent supportive housing, and The Friendly Place, a resource center for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in West Hawaiʻi. The center offers meals, showers, laundry, and in-reach services. The organization also provides outreach and street medicine services, including monthly psychiatric street medicine missions with a licensed community psychiatrist.
Community members can help serve our neighbors experiencing homelessness by donating time, talent, or treasure to HOPE Services Hawaii at www.hopeserviceshawaii.org, or by contacting jcabal@hopeserviceshawaii.org.
About HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc.
HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc. is a nonprofit affiliate organization of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii. It works to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring on Hawaii Island. HOPE manages seven shelters with 168 beds and 128 housing units across the island and provides outreach, street medicine, behavioral health, housing, prevention, diversion, case management, and more. To make a referral, visit hopeserviceshawaii.org or call 808-935-3050.
Note: We respectfully request that you not use the term “the homeless.” Instead, we recommend using “people experiencing homelessness,” “houseless people,” or “unsheltered people.” Mahalo for your understanding and compassion.
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HOPE Services Hawai‘i Acquires Kani Leʻa Apartments to Provide Permanent Affordable Housing in Kona
KAILUA-KONA, HI – HOPE Services Hawai‘i has officially acquired the Kani Leʻa apartment building, expanding its efforts to provide permanent, affordable housing in West Hawai‘i. Located at 75-5706 Kalawa St. in the heart of Kailua-Kona, the complex comprises 12 two-bedroom, one-bath units that will serve families and individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.
HOPE Services will provide ongoing case management and connect tenants with the support they need to remain stably housed.
“We are thrilled to grow our capacity to serve our community in West Hawai‘i,” said HOPE Services Hawai'i CEO Brandee Menino. “The number one reason people experience homelessness is the high cost of housing. We took action when we saw an opportunity to create more stable, affordable homes.”
“Having spent two decades living and working in Kona, I am deeply inspired by the new direction we at HOPE are taking to directly address homelessness in Kona and across West Hawaii. These apartment units represent a profound step forward, offering tangible solutions by providing homes for our most vulnerable unsheltered neighbors,” added HOPE Services Director of West Hawai‘i Gideon Ramos.
Kani Leʻa was acquired through funding from the Oak Foundation Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“We extend our deepest gratitude to our funders and partners for their support in making this acquisition a reality,” said Menino. “We especially appreciate the guidance of Kehau Costa, County of Hawaiʻi Housing Administrator, and her team, who provided crucial technical assistance to help us meet HUD funding requirements. We are grateful that the current administration worked with us to find a solution.”
HOPE Services’ programs in West Hawai’i also include the West Hawai’i Emergency Housing Program (emergency shelter for adults), Hale Kīkaha permanent supportive housing, and The Friendly Place, a resource center for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in West Hawaiʻi. The center offers meals, showers, laundry, and in-reach services. The organization also provides outreach and street medicine services, including monthly psychiatric street medicine missions with a licensed community psychiatrist.
Community members can help serve our neighbors experiencing homelessness by donating time, talent, or treasure to HOPE Services Hawaii at www.hopeserviceshawaii.org, or by contacting jcabal@hopeserviceshawaii.org.
About HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc.
HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc. is a nonprofit affiliate organization of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii. It works to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring on Hawaii Island. HOPE manages seven shelters with 168 beds and 128 housing units across the island and provides outreach, street medicine, behavioral health, housing, prevention, diversion, case management, and more. To make a referral, visit hopeserviceshawaii.org or call 808-935-3050.
Note: We respectfully request that you not use the term “the homeless.” Instead, we recommend using “people experiencing homelessness,” “houseless people,” or “unsheltered people.” Mahalo for your understanding and compassion.
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