Chan, Zuckerberg support Hanalei affordable rental apartments with $2.3 million contribution

The Hanalei Initiativeʻs affordable housing project for essential workers has received a major boost with a $2.3 million gift from pediatrician and philanthropist Priscilla Chan and META founder Mark Zuckerberg.

The donation will accelerate the development of the $9.6 million Hale Kākoʻo O Hanalei project of 13 affordable studio apartments on the site of the former Hanalei Mormon Church on Kūhiō Highway in the heart of Hanalei, said Joel Guy, executive director of the nonprofit.

“We are on track to build nearly five years sooner than originally planned,” Guy said.

The project also will include “our Hanalei Initiative headquarters forever home,” he said.

The Chan/Zuckerberg donation increases the project’s funding to $7.9 million, with an additional $1.7 million still needed to be raised.

The breakdown of the project is $5 million for the housing/headquarters and $4.6 million for the property. In 2024, an unnamed supporter of the Hanalei Initiative bought the property for $4.6 million and immediately entered into a lease agreement with the nonprofit. This lease included a recorded option for the Hanalei Initiative to purchase the property within three years.

The project was created in response to the housing crisis facing the North Shore of Kauaʻi, where rising property values and limited availability have pushed out many workers who provide vital services to the community.

“Sadly, in a town known for its beauty and spirit, one of Hanalei’s greatest challenges is housing essential workers, like teachers and lifeguards,” said Dane Smith, Hale Kakoʻo Project Manager.

The homes will support teachers, firefighters, healthcare professionals and other essential employees who struggle to secure housing near their jobs, resulting in long commutes or relocation away from the communities they serve.

The Chan Zuckerberg Kauaʻi Community Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation has supported The Hanalei Initiative since 2020, including the purchase of electric vans, general operating support and recreation facility improvements, the press release said.

Married couple Chan and Zuckerberg, who own a home in Kīlauea, also have made previous contributions to local causes, including support for education, conservation and disaster recovery efforts.

In May, the Chan and Zuckerberg Foundation gifted $1 million to Namahana School for new middle school classrooms in Kīlauea. Namahana School welcomed its first students on Aug. 5, after a six-year effort.

About the housing project, Chan and Zuckerberg said in a statement: “This is critical work to meet an urgent need for the North Shore.”

Their gift to Hale Kākoʻo O Hanalei reflects a continued investment in addressing long-term challenges facing the island, particularly the lack of affordable housing.

Community leaders emphasize that the project is about more than building homes. It also is about preserving the social fabric of Hanalei. Affordable housing, they say, keeps families rooted in the community and ensures that local traditions, culture and services remain strong for future generations.

The Hanalei Initiative plans to continue working with county officials, local partners and community members to finalize plans and begin construction.

Once completed, Hale Kākoʻo O Hanalei will represent a model for community-driven solutions to Hawaiʻi’s housing shortage.

Individuals interested in scheduling a visit or contributing to the Hale Kākoʻo O Hanalei Project can email joel@hanaleiinitiative.org or call (808) 635-2074.

For more information, visit the Hale Kākoʻo O Hanalei Hanalei Initiative webpage by clicking here.