August 28, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOPE Services Hawaiʻi and Community Partners Celebrate Blessing of New Kūpuna Housing in Honokaʻa
Hale Ulu Lehua provides supportive housing for seniors in Hamakua
HONOKAʻA, HAWAIʻI – Wed. August 27, 2025 – HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and community leaders, hosted a blessing ceremony on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of Hale Ulu Lehua, a new supportive housing project for kūpuna.
The ceremony marked the forthcoming opening of a transformative project that converted the former convent house on the church grounds into 10 single-occupancy, permanent, affordable rental units. The facility is designed to address the critical need for housing for Hāmākua kūpuna, providing not only a home but also vital wraparound services to help residents live independently and with dignity.
The event featured remarks from Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda, the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness & Housing Solutions Jun Yang, and Hawaiʻi State Representative Matthias Kusch. The blessing commemorated the collaborative effort among the church, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and a committed hui of community businesses, catholic parishioners, and donors.
Hale Ulu Lehua features renovated units, upgraded shared bathrooms, a fully expanded communal kitchen, and on-site laundry facilities. Accessibility was a key focus, with the addition of an entry ramp, expanded kitchen with a new dining room, and widened doorways. Residents will have access to case management and tenancy support services provided by HOPE Services Hawaiʻi.
“Our kūpuna deserve a safe place to call home, and we are so excited to finally offer this service in Honoka’a,” said Dr. Kalani Spain, Director of Supportive Housing for HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, who will oversee the program. “We are grateful to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish for hosting us, and to the funders and sponsors who recognized the importance of providing affordable housing for our kūpuna living in rural communities.”
“Hale Ulu Lehua Kauhale provides other options to assist our elders find permanent housing solutions, build a sense of community connection, and live safely without the threats and challenges of being on the street each day,” said Jun Yang, the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness. Yang, who Governor Josh Green appointed to lead the State Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions, continued, “Community connection is one of the primary indicators for personal and collective resiliency.”
“Living… at Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Project is not only a blessing, but it’s a miracle in my life,” said Walter Silva, a kūpuna who lives at Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Project, another HOPE Services kūpuna housing community. Silva was the keynote speaker at the blessing and performed the ceremonial untying of the maile lei to mark the opening of Hale Ulu Lehua.
“What began as a need to strengthen our Parish finances became an opportunity for something greater,” said Brenda DeLuz of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish. “In our search for solutions to what had become an underutilized nuns’ convent with lots of history, we chose to partner with HOPE Services—a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals who are unsheltered and in need.”
“This partnership not only helps our church sustain itself, but also allows us to live out our faith in a real and impactful way,” DeLuz continued. “By working with Hope Services, we’re meeting both the needs of our Parish and those of the community around us.”
The project was made possible through the generous support of the following sponsors and donors:
Funding Partners:
Oak Foundation Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation
State of Hawai’i – Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions
Community & Church Partners:
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish
Father Junvik Diolata
In-Kind & Volunteer Partners:
Brenda Deluz
JJ Andrade
Deacon Keoki & Lisa Woods
Carol Ignacio
Valerie Delahaye-Ippolito
Vince & Jane Keelan
Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union
HFS Federal Credit Union
Veterinary Associates Waimea
Waiakea Water
Wehi Designs
About HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, Inc.
Hope Services Hawaii, Inc. is a nonprofit affiliate organization of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii. It works to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring on Hawaii Island. Hope operates seven shelters with 168 beds across the island, offering services that include outreach, street medicine, behavioral health, housing, prevention, diversion, case management, and more.
Note: We respectfully request that you use person-first language, such as “people experiencing homelessness” or “unsheltered people,” instead of the term “the homeless.” Mahalo for your understanding.
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Media Contact:
HOPE Services Hawaii:
Kristen Alice
Cell: (808) 938-7239
Photo and video folder available here.
Captions are in a pdf file in the folder, and also pasted below.
PHOTO/VIDEO CAPTIONS
All photos courtesy Hope Services Hawai’i
- (L-R) HOPE Services Hawai’i founder Carol Ignacio, Hawai’i County Mayor Dr. Kimo Alameda, JJ Andrade of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish, and Hawai’i County Managing Director Bill Brilhante pose for a photo while touring the interior of Hale Ulu Lehua.
- Erin Samura of County of Hawai’i, Karen Teshima of County of Hawai’i, Marion Christensen of HOPE Services Hawai’i, HOPE Services Hawai’i board member Laurie Higashi pose for a photo while touring the interior of Hale Ulu Lehua.
- Guests in the newly renovated kitchen of Hale Ulu Lehua.
- Father Junvik Diolata of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish blesses Hale Ulu Lehua with holy water, followed by parishioners
- Karen Teshima of County of Hawai’i, Hawai’i County Managing Director Bill Brilhante, HOPE Services Hawai’i founder Carol Ignacio, Hawai’i County Mayor Dr. Kimo Alameda, Erin Samura of County of Hawai’i pose for a photo while touring the interior of Hale Ulu Lehua.
- Will Bailey, Kristen Alice of HOPE Services Hawai’i, and Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness Jun Yang in the kitchen of Hale Ulu Lehua.
- JJ Andrade of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish, HOPE Services Hawai’i CEO Brandee Menino, HOPE Services Hawai’i founder Carol Ignacio, HOPE Services Hawai’i Director of Supportive Housing Dr. Kalani Spain, and Dana Morifugi of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish pose for a photo while touring the interior of Hale Ulu Lehua.
- Guests pose on the lanai of Hale Ulu Lehua.
- Walter Silva, who lives at Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Project, a different HOPE Services kūpuna housing program in Pāhoa, unties the maile lei.
- Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness Jun Yang speaks at the blessing ceremony.
- Father Junvik Diolata leads a prayer at the Hale Ulu Lehua blessing ceremony.
- Guests pose with HOPE Services Hawai’i Staff in front of Hale Ulu Lehua.
- Sponsors who furnished the 10 bedrooms and common areas inside the building pose with HOPE Services Hawai’i CEO Brandee Menino (front row, right).
- Interior shot of a bedroom in Hale Ulu Lehua
- Interior shot of a bedroom in Hale Ulu Lehua
Video A. Walter Silva unties the maile lei.
Video B. Father Junvic Diolata of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish leads a prayer during the blessing ceremony
Video C. Father Junvic Diolata of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish blesses Hale Ulu Lehua with holy water, accompanied by parishioners
Video D. Volunteers from HFS Federal Credit Union put the finishing touches on a Hale Ulu Lehua bedroom.
Video E. Leiala Hoʻopiʻi of HOPE Services Hawaiʻi gives a lei to Captain Reynold Kahalewai of Hawaiʻi Police Department.