This project strengthens the Trust, expands the land base, and centers Hawaiian leadership in building solutions for our own people.
A B O U T
From Vision to Self-Sufficiency
The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act was created in 1921 to restore Native Hawaiians to the land and rebuild our lāhui. Yet today, more than 29,000 beneficiaries are still waiting — some for 30, 40, even 50 years.
A Hawaiian homesteader’s hale on Molokaʻi, circa 1922.
A Project Designed by a Beneficiary for Beneficiaries
Led by Native Hawaiian beneficiary Patti Ann Tancayo — a waitlister with over 30 years of experience in affordable housing development, including more than 1,000 homes for local families — the Gateway is built on Hawaiian values of:
Kuleana — responsibility to uplift our lāhui
Aloha ʻāina — caring for the land and honoring its history
Laulima — working together for shared benefit
Pono — doing what is right for our people
Why This Matters
DHHL has historically been underfunded. Even with the historic $600M appropriation, the cost of serving every family on the waitlist exceeds $6.5B.
Gateway creates a new path forward:
Ground lease rent to DHHL
Revenue share to Kaupeʻa, Kānehili, and Kauluokahai
60–80 new kūpuna homes
200+ construction jobs, 650 permanent jobs
$100K Pahu Manō entrepreneurial fund
Paid internships for Hawaiian youth
When the lease ends, the entire 22.7 acres will be gifted to DHHL at no cost.