Blog

In mid November,  we met with the DLNR Director and other State leaders, and worked out an agreement where our village would clean and clear areas of Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae (POW) makai ourselves, instead of DLNR coming with heavy equipment and enforcement to “sweep” our people. Since that meeting, we've cleared and cleaned dozens of campsites. If construction keeps pace and units are ready, we move people up to our Waiʻanae Valley property. If units are not ready for occupancy,

Aloha, As we head into 2026, we want to share a meaningful update on where things stand and extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae during this critical time. In November, we reached an agreement with the State that required us to clear a large section of the village by Thanksgiving in order to receive an extension at the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor location. Thanks to the hard work, heart, and dedication of our residents, volunteers, and supp

Mahalo nui for everyone's support and aloha as we work on our cleanup and moving efforts and for all the offers to kokua, here's what we need help with...

On December 1, 2025, KaLa, one of the six leaders of Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae, shared an important update with the community: the village has successfully fulfilled its agreement with State officials to clear Section 4 by Thanksgiving and has earned a six-month extension.

On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Kaulana “KaLa” Paishon, representing the leadership of Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae, met with Dawn Chang, Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Jun Yang from the Governorʻs office; and representatives from the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education to determine a collaborative path forward at the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor. During th

As you may have heard, due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits (“Food Stamps”) will not be distributed in November. Many of our 200+ residents rely on SNAP to feed their families, so we are working quickly to restock the Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae Food Pantry. If you’re able to kōkua, we are especially in need of: • Canned goods (meats, vegetables, fruits) • Cup noodles • Rice • Peanut butter and jelly These are the staples our people need most. Our pantry also su

"Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae Mauka isn’t just housing — it’s a blueprint for community-driven solutions to Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis." Aloha, As...

“Connect, then direct — a simple reminder that compassion comes first, even in moments of conflict.” Living in community means sometimes...

After years of hard work, Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae Farm Village has welcomed its first group of residents into Phase 1 of its permanent housing units.

Mahalo to the Oweesta Corporation for their generous $250,000 donation to POW. This contribution is instrumental in building our...

POW recently extended a helping hand to Ho‘okahi Leo, the state’s third kauhale village located in Kalihi. Residents donated essential...

In the heart of our community lies a profound sense of ‘ohana. In this issue, we're honored to present a conversation with Pu‘uhonua O...

From oldest to youngest, a summer program for our POW keiki and friends is envisioned and staffed daily by a mix of volunteers who are...