Waiʻanae Community Resilience Hub Project

Returning Leeward Oʻahu from a food desert back to a food basket

ʻElepaio is working to build a $20.2 Waiʻanae Community Resilience Hub to strengthen food security, enhance disaster preparedness, and build long-term community health across the Waiʻanae Coast.  

The Need

  • The Waiʻanae Coast faces some of the highest rates of food insecurity and diet-related health challenges in Hawaiʻi. 

  • Since 2021, ʻElepaio has distributed more than 14 million pounds of food. Our current 3,500-sq-ft warehouse will soon not be able to adequately meet our food storage needs.

  • With only one main roadway in and out, our community is uniquely vulnerable to natural disasters and emergencies. There is currently only one, state-sanctioned, hurricane refuge for the entire coast—its maximum capacity is 1,394 people. 

From response to readiness

The Waiʻanae Community Resilience Hub will serve as a major milestone in returning the Leeward Coast to self-reliance, wellness, and resilience. The 15-acre campus will sit on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands next to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. The project includes:  

  • A 10,500-sq-ft food warehouse – With the capacity to store 200% more food, this hub will stage daily food distribution and emergency disaster relief directly within the community.  

  • Emergency shelter – The shelter will provide a safe place if residents are left isolated by road closures, natural disasters, or power outages.  

  • Classroom kitchen and dining room – A dedicated space for nutrition and cooking education through our Food is Education Program.   

  • Food growing fields – Community members can grow and harvest their own food. 

  • ʻElepaio office space