“We don’t say no; we say how,” is the inspiring motto behind Hawai‘i Community Lending (HCL).

Founded in 2002 as a program of Hawaiian Community Assets, HCL has since become the independent, premier nonprofit mortgage lender for native Hawaiians statewide. While not exclusive to native Hawaiians, they are HCL’s primary population of interest for securing a home in the Islands.

HCL assists ‘ohana with everything from down payment assistance and affordable mortgages for financing construction and identifying potential homebuyers. At its core, HCL’s mission is to address the state’s lodging crisis by creating housing opportunities for local families. They support these families with individual guidance, financial education and low-interest loans. For those facing foreclosure, HCL offers saint-like solutions.

In April, HCL presented their long-term strategy to investors, borrower families, staff, and partners, securing their license to originate mortgages, the first of which took place in May.

When HCL transitioned in November 2022 to a stand-alone lender fund, they emphasized building a devoted team. By June, they boasted a robust staff of 17, all passionate about serving the communities of Hawai‘i and ensuring they make informed homeownership decisions.

Jeff Gilbreath is a cornerstone of the organization. After joining HCL’s parent company, Hawaiian Community Assets, in 2008, Gilbreath founded HCL as a nonprofit, community-development financial institution six years later. Under Gilbreath’s leadership as Executive Director, HCL has distributed over $30 million in grant and loan capital, supporting affordable housing for more than 3,000 Native Hawaiian and local families. For Gilbreath, housing is a human right, not merely a privilege for the affluent. This belief motivates him to lead a team executing a $7-million community loan fund’s strategic goals.

“I have a profound sense of kuleana to this place and kanaka maoli, to assist in rectifying past wrongs,” states Gilbreath, “and to change systems ensuring our local and kanaka families can live here, raise their children here, and lay a foundation for future generations.”

Based in Waimānalo, Kahaunani Mahoe-Thoene, Lending Director, has ensured timely loan funding since 2013. As the Homeowner Assistance Fund Manager, she also guarantees the program addresses the needs of families, aiming to prevent foreclosures and uphold homeownership for future generations.

An example is the HCL Homeowners Assistance Fund on Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island. Residents of these islands can qualify for up to $60,000 in grants to cover past-due mortgages, property taxes, and HOA fees. One Kaua‘i resident, for instance, managed to settle $18,000 in overdue property taxes, thereby saving his home from foreclosure, all thanks to HCL.

“I am deeply rooted in the values of my ke akua and makua who champion the cause of rehabilitation,” Mahoe-Thoene shares. “Our identity as native Hawaiians should never be forgotten, and we must always stay true to our roots as kanaka. Aloha kekahi i kekahi — love one another.”

Fellow Waimānalo resident Charlie Ioane, Mortgage Loan Manager, spearheads the team on construction and mortgage loans. As a father of eight, he undoubtedly lives by the motto “families are forever!”

This formidable trio, along with their teammates, have the backing of financial support from major corporations like American Savings Bank, which declared their investment of $4.3 million to bolster native Hawaiian homeownership in Hawai‘i this past May.

The combined $5 million investments from Hawai‘i Pacific Health and American Savings Bank will fuel their Kapili Construction Fund. This fund is projected to draw an additional $15 million in investments to finance communities, encompassing 58 families granted leases for the Na‘iwa homestead in 1985.

Gilbreath is confident about HCL’s future: “Our best investment lies in our diligent local and Hawaiian families. They might grapple to find an affordable home, but with access to credit and capital, they are the pivotal force in shaping a more equitable Hawai‘i.”

For more information or to donate, please visit hawaiicommunitylending.com.