OHA Seeks Nonprofit Partners for Mālama Honua Grant 

OHA News Release

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is seeking qualified Hawaii nonprofit organizations to administer its FY27 Mālama Honua Home Improvement/Renovation Program Grant for Nonprofits (FY27 Mālama Honua Grant for Nonprofits), a home repair initiative designed to help Native Hawaiian families remain safely housed by addressing critical health and safety needs in owner-occupied homes. 

The FY27 grant solicitation opens July 6, 2026, for eligible Hawaiʻi nonprofit organizations. 

The FY27 program builds upon OHA’s commitment to increasing housing stability for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries through partnerships with trusted community organizations. To distinguish this initiative from OHA’s separate Mālama Honua Disaster Fund, the program is now formally identified as the Mālama Honua Grant for Nonprofits. 

“The ability to remain safely in one’s home is foundational to family stability and community well-being,” said OHA Board Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele. “Through the Mālama Honua Grant for Nonprofits, OHA is investing in community partnerships that preserve housing, strengthen neighborhoods, and improve the quality of life for Native Hawaiian families.” 

The Mālama Honua Grant for Nonprofits is a pilot home repair program serving income-qualified Native Hawaiian homeowners who are unable to access traditional financing because of income or credit limitations. Selected nonprofit partners will administer grants to homeowners for critical repairs that address documented health and safety hazards and other conditions that threaten the habitability of their homes. 

The program represents an important investment in advancing OHA’s Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan, which identifies housing and economic stability among the highest priorities for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. Through a nonprofit partnership model, the initiative seeks to preserve existing housing, improve long-term health outcomes, and strengthen community resilience across Hawaii. 

Nonprofits interested in administering the program may submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) from July 15 through July 29, 2026, through OHA’s Grants portal at www.oha.org/grants. OHA is not accepting applications from individual homeowners. Following the selection of nonprofit partners, those organizations will administer homeowner applications during a later phase of the program. 

OHA is also recruiting volunteer grant evaluators to assist in reviewing applications. Individuals with expertise in residential construction or home repair, affordable housing or housing policy, nonprofit housing services or community development are encouraged to participate in the evaluation process. 

For more information about the Mālama Honua Grant for Nonprofits program or the grant evaluator opportunity, visit www.oha.org/grants or email grantsinfo@oha.org or SIHousing@oha.org.