WAIMANALO (HawaiiNewsNow) — A nonprofit operating a kauhale for homeless residents in Waimanalo is planning to move and significantly expand its village, drawing a grassroots opposition effort from some neighbors.
Hui Mahiʻai ‘Aina, led by CEO Blanche McMillan, currently operates 59 tiny homes housing 106 homeless residents. The organization has received recognition from Gov. Josh Green and others. McMillan is now planning to build 300 tiny homes to house 600 people on a different section of ‘Oluʻolu Street.
“If I had my dream. I’ll be honest with you. One-thousand people. This is my dream,” McMillan said.
Neighbors organize opposition
Some neighbors have formed a group called Pono ‘Oluʻolu and launched a petition to stop the development. Cindy Parker, a neighbor and member of Pono ‘Oluʻolu, said the community has concerns about the scale of the project…