Mahalo Nui Loa to all members, residents, and dedicated volunteers of the Hawaiian Acres Community Association (HACA). This past year has been defined by significant accomplishments, demonstrating the power of our community to come together and achieve great things, even in the face of unexpected obstacles.

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Phase I Accomplishment: The $534,000 Community Kitchen Grant

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We are thrilled to announce that in November 2024, the Hawaiian Acres Community Association was awarded a $534,000 grant for the construction of a certified shared-use kitchen at the Hawaiian Acres Community Center site on Moho Road.

This crucial funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a federal COVID-19 relief program, and is administered by the County of Hawai‘i. Securing this grant is a monumental step toward fulfilling our long-term vision of a thriving community hub.

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Project Progress & Design Team

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Funds from the grant have been immediately put to work, resulting in crucial groundwork and planning:

• Project Management & Permits: We are immensely grateful for the expert guidance of our project manager, Riaan Mattheus, who successfully secured a Special Use Permit from the County of Hawai‘i. Riaan also oversaw the initial grading of one acre of land in preparation for the community center, kitchen, parking, and farmers' market area.

• Design Team Finalized: Riaan assisted us in assembling a first-rate design and engineering team, including Cal Ballard (Architect) and the following professional engineers: Terin Gloor (Green ‘Āina), Civil; Art Russell (State of the Art/SOTA), Electrical; Charles Cavedoni (Hakalau Engineering), Mechanical; and Jeddy Lim (JPB Engineering), Structural.

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We would like to give a huge Mahalo to Myrna Chiu, who volunteered countless hours designing and refining several iterations of site and floor plans. These plans were shared at public meetings, potlucks, and across social media and our websites (hawaiianacres.org and MohoKitchenHI.org). Based on community input and expert advice from our architect and engineers, we have now finalized the site plan and floor plan for the community center and kitchen.

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Community Contributions & Infrastructure

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Community involvement has been the heart of our success this year.

• Improved Market Access: We are happy to announce that HACA signed a rental agreement for a porta toilet, which now allows us to host our popular weekly community market and special events like our successful Halloween (trunk or treat), Thanksgiving, and Christmas gatherings!

• Entrance Landmark: Big mahalo to Jack Russell Brauher for installing the beautiful Pohaku (stone marker) at the Hawaiian Acres entrance on Ku`auli Road.

• Playground Upgrades: Thanks to Aaron Truitt for replacing and/or repairing the playground swings, and Myrna Chiu for donating and installing the basketball hoop.

• Donations and Support: We extend our sincere appreciation to Susann Tita for her generous donation of Halloween treats for the trunk-or-treaters, and to Vibrant Hawaii and Shannon Matson for distributing bags and boxes of food at the HACA firehouse.

• Website Feedback: Thank you to Sandy Margriter for updating our website; we strive to improve our digital communication!

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Challenges and Resilience

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While we celebrate our accomplishments, we must also acknowledge the obstacles faced this year:

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• Permitting: We faced an anonymous grading complaint that required HACA to file a formal grading permit with the county, causing a temporary delay in site work.

• Vandalism & Theft: We experienced several disappointing incidents, including the firehouse being broken into twice, the theft of two water catchment covers and a stepping stone, and the burning of our shed.

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In spite of these incidents, our resolve remains strong. Our successful year, filled with forward motion on the kitchen project and vibrant community events, is a testament to the tireless efforts of our volunteers who refuse to be deterred.

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Mahalo for Your Support

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Mahalo Nui Loa to our entire Hawaiian Acres Community! We especially appreciate all those who voluntarily pay your dues. Your membership dues and donations are crucial—they go directly toward paying the insurance and maintenance of our park and playground, covering the porta toilet rental, and keeping our basic services running. We deeply appreciate your support.

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Goals for 2026

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Building on the momentum of the grant award, our focus for the upcoming year is moving toward physical construction. Our goals for 2026 include:

1. Fundraising: Hosting fundraising events to raise the necessary funds for supplemental items like solar installation and specialized commercial kitchen equipment not covered by the grant.

2. Permit Acquisition: Acquiring the final building permit and septic permit, as well as necessary permits from the State Department of Health.

3. Contractor Selection: Signing a contract with a general license contractor to begin the build.

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To help us achieve these exciting goals, we are actively seeking the following volunteers:

• Event Planners

• Parking Attendants

• Writers (for grants and newsletters)

• Landscape Planners/Horticulturalists

• Consultants for the design and construction of a certified Imu (underground oven).

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We welcome your feedback! Email om@hawaiianacres.org