Latest news with #Maui-based
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Workforce housing for educators gets underway in West Maui
State and county officials broke ground this week on a $20 million workforce housing project aimed at providing rental units for public school employees in West Maui, many of whom continue to face housing challenges in the aftermath of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires. The state Department of Education is leading the 47-unit project, which will be built by Maui-based Dowling Co. on approximately 5 acres situated between Princess Nahienaena Elementary and Lahainaluna High School. The rental complex is intended to support educator retention and recruitment in the region. State schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi said the project is designed to provide housing stability for school staff. 'This development is pivotal to the retention and recruitment of our West Maui staff. We cannot afford to lose our educators. Their presence, their stability, their relationships with students is what helps our students learn, heal and move forward, ' Hayashi said. 'When teachers have secure housing, students have stable classrooms.' Housing shortages in Lahaina were already a concern before the 2023 wildfires and have worsened since the disaster. According to a DOE employee survey, nearly one-third of HIDOE staff on Maui reported being displaced by the fires. More than 20 % of Lahaina-based educators indicated they are considering leaving the state due to housing costs. For newer hires, housing affordability was the most cited factor influencing their decision to stay or leave. The new rental complex will include one-and two-bedroom units with income-based rents. HIDOE is still finalizing application details, but priority will be given to public school employees who were displaced by the wildfires—both those still working in West Maui and those who were forced to relocate elsewhere. 'This project responds directly to that need—the need for housing our school employees, ' Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said. 'That will bring consistency to our classrooms that allows those who guide, who nourish, who transport and care for our students to remain close to the places they serve.' Lahainaluna High School Principal Richard Carosso echoed those concerns, saying housing instability threatens the fabric of school communities. 'It was hard before the fires to have people be able to commit and live and be full-time educators and staff members out here in Lahaina. The fires and the cost of living going up has just made it harder and harder, ' Carosso said. 'And that just hurts us from the point of building our culture of our schools—because they're not here as readily for the kids in the afternoon, for kids in the evenings, to go to games, to be part of clubs. So bringing people back to our hill, to our place, is what this project is about.' Everett Dowling, founder and president of Dowling Co., said the project aims to help educators get back on their feet and save for the long term. 'It's an honor to work on this project. We're very anxious to get started. We have a tight timetable and we'll make that, I'm sure, ' Dowling said. 'Homeownership equity is the largest creator of wealth in the country. But in order to buy a home, you have to save some money. Hopefully, this project will enable employees of the DOE here on the west side to put some money aside as the community rebuilds.' Officials emphasized that the development not only addresses housing, but also strengthens the broader recovery effort by keeping experienced educators rooted in the community. No estimated completion date has been released yet.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Architects step in with powerful solution after disaster displaces thousands: 'Recent ... events have further exacerbated housing issues'
A article highlighted an innovation in homebuilding materials by Maui-based architecture firm Hawaiʻi Off Grid. The firm founded Surf Block, a construction material made from surfboards that could help the severe housing crisis in Hawaiʻi. This groundbreaking innovation is the result of creative thinking about how sustainable, low-cost materials could help combat building material and cost issues made worse by disasters that have been intensified by the warming of the planet. Using more sustainable materials is a way to make the residential construction process more environmentally friendly. In addition to the challenges of inflation, high mortgage rates, low inventory, and high prices, the increase in frequency and severity of wildfires has had a negative impact on the housing market and the environment. Hawaiʻi's housing market is already one of the most expensive residential areas of the country, resulting in one of the highest homelessness rates in the U.S. The 2023 Maui wildfires only exacerbated the situation. David Sellers, principal architect at Hawaiʻi Off Grid, was looking to help. In founding Surf Block, he may have discovered an innovative new building material in surfboards, objects that have a long history in Hawaiʻi. Using surfboards to build homes is more sustainable and less expensive than other building materials. Disastrous wildfires, landslides, and rising sea levels have devastated residential communities and contributed to air pollution. "Recent climate events have further exacerbated housing issues," Sellers said. Hawai'i Off Grid and other local architects are also helping by offering free, pre-approved building plans to people who have lost their homes due to the wildfires. Sellers explained that the government is addressing the impact of the warming planet and disasters caused or intensified because of it, investing in projects to enhance Hawaiʻi's coastal resilience. Sustainable innovations such as Sellers' surfboard solution offer hope to the U.S. housing crisis. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
