“Not homeless—a village without a place.”

— Twinkle Borge, Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae village leader

Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae is a village of approximately 200 people living unhoused on the edge of the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor on the leeward side of Oʻahu. It is home to keiki, kūpuna and working families. Two thirds are Native Hawaiian. The village is led by Twinkle Borge, a longtime village resident affectionately known as, “Mama”.

The people of Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae have built a remarkable community that, in many ways, is a role model for other communities. We know our neighbors, caring for children is a shared kuleana, rules are created and honored by residents, and community service is expected from everyone. Our village is also a refuge where many heal from financial disaster, trauma, abuse, addiction, injury or illness.

In 2018, Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae was threatened with eviction by the State. Thanks to the intervention of Governor David Ige, we received time to plan our own transition. That’s when we began fundraising to purchase private land to build our own village.

In 2020, we completed fundraising to purchase land and bought a 20-acre property in the back of Waiʻanae Valley. Village leaders then refined plans and designs for the site and structures, clearing and healing the land. We also built the first pilots for communal structures and homes on the land.

Today, we are focused on raising the funds to continue building.

In the Puʻhonua O Waiʻanae Farm Village, we are building on the existing strengths of Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae—an effective mix of modernity and traditional Hawaiian communal living. As a result, we will provide shelter, stability, and hope for up to 250 people at a lower development cost and lower operating costs and rents than conventional affordable housing.

Learn More About Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae