HONOLULU (HI Now) - Hawaiʻi Community Lending and E. Bueno Construction showcased the power of partnership on HI NOW, where Chanel Josiah, chief operating officer of Hawaiʻi Community Lending (HCL), and Jayson Tugade, office manager of E. Bueno Construction, discussed affordability and community-driven solutions to homeownership in Hawaiʻi.
During the segment, Josiah shared HCL’s approach to affordability, emphasizing partnerships that lower barriers, loan programs inspired by borrowers’ lived experiences, and systems designed to respond to the real needs of local families.
Josiah also introduced HCL’s new Kūkulu Partner Program, an initiative created to unite contractors, suppliers, draftsmen, and other housing professionals to develop practical solutions that keep homeownership attainable for everyday working families. Reflecting the meaning of “kūkulu” — to build — the program focuses on creating not only homes, but pathways for families to move forward.
E. Bueno Construction was honored as HCL’s first Kūkulu Partner of the Year Award recipient for its role in building a family home in Anahola, Kauaʻi. Tugade highlighted the value of the company’s partnership with HCL and its shared commitment to serving local families through affordable housing opportunities.
As part of the program’s continued growth, HCL is calling on general contractors and restoration companies to join the Kūkulu Partner Program and assist with home assessments, repair, and rehabilitation work. The initiative reflects a coordinated, community-driven approach to housing on Hawaiian Home Lands by connecting families with a trusted network of professionals who support the building and rebuilding process while expanding access to long-term, affordable homeownership.
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Hawaiʻi Community Lending (HCL) is a U.S. Treasury-certified Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) specializing in loans for homebuyers, homebuilders, and homeowners, along with technical assistance and grants aimed at preventing foreclosure. As Hawaiʻi’s premier nonprofit mortgage lender, HCL helps local and Hawaiian families navigate the path to homeownership.
For more information, visit hawaiicommunitylending.com and follow Hawaiian Community Lending on Instagram and Facebook at @hawaiicommunitylending!
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