Msgr. Terrence Watanabe blesses the site of phase of Kahului Lani apartment complex on Maui on June 25. (Photo courtesy Catholic Charities Hawaii)
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Msgr. Terrence Watanabe, vicar forane for Maui County and pastor of St. Theresa Parish in Kihei, did a double “house” blessing in Kahului, Maui, June 25 — one for a new Catholic Charities Hawaii affordable apartment building for the elderly, the other for the bare ground site of its future sister facility next door.
The completed six-story structure, called Kahului Lani 1, has 81 units for low-income seniors age 55 and older. It consists of one-bedroom/one-bathroom units with amenities so residents can “age in place” and a manager’s unit. It is located along Kane Street across the street from Foodland at Queen Kaahumanu Center in Kahului.
The first tenants moved in on June 26, a few months later than scheduled, a delay caused in part by the coronavirus situation.
The ground blessing was for Kahului Lani 2, the construction of which will begin soon. Kahului Lani’s second phase will also have a six-story building, with 83 units, and a two-story multi-purpose building with offices for Catholic Charities case management services and programs for residents.
Msgr. Terrence Watanabe blesses phase one of the Kahului Lani apartment complex on Maui on June 25. (Photo courtesy Catholic Charities Hawaii)
Both projects were developed by the Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Catholic Charities Hawaii. Both phases will be managed by Hale Mahaolu, a Maui non-profit corporation that provides housing and supportive services for low- to moderate-income seniors and families.
Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation owns, develops and manages real estate properties that provide affordable housing for the elderly, special needs individuals and other socially or economically disadvantaged persons and families.
Attending the blessing were Maui Mayor Mike Victorino, Sandy Baz and Brian Perry of the County of Maui, Grant Chun of Hale Mahaolu, Willie Duldulao of Mitsunaga Construction, and Catholic Charities Hawaii representatives Thelma Akita-Kealoha, Brian Moto and Stephen Kealoha.
