Honolulu – Governor Neil Abercrombie and other dignitaries joined with an estimated 200 residents of Kukui Gardens, a revered affordable housing community in Chinatown, to celebrate the preservation of this affordable housing community. The property, which provides homes for hundreds of seniors, children and families, faced the possibility of closure a few years ago. Music and a tented luncheon were the setting for remarks by the Governor along with Representative Karl Rhoads and Senator Brickwood Galuteria. Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Senator Pohai Ryan and Honolulu City Council Chair Ernie Martin joined the residents for the festivities.

After forty years of providing housing for Honolulu’s working families and older adults, the EAH Housing community Kukui Gardens has been recently renovated and is now prepared for a bright future. Along with co-developers Devine & Gong, Inc., EAH Housing celebrated the legacy of Kukui Gardens and the decades of prosperity ahead for the community. EAH Housing worked hand in hand with the State of Hawai’i to preserve the affordability of Kukui Gardens, a true testament of what can happen with a public – private partnership, when government, local business, faith based, and nonprofit organizations join forces.

(Back row Left to Right) Reverend Bob Nakata, State Senator Brickwood Galuteria, Representative Karl Rhoads, EAH Housing Board Member Lucien Wong, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. Finance Manager Darren Ueki, HHFDC Executive Director Karen Seddon, EAH Housing Vice President Kevin Carney, Carmel Partners Project Manager Tom Tschudin, (Front row Left to Right) Reverend Sam Domingo, State Senator Pohai Ryan, State Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Kukui Gardens Board Vice President Carol Anzai, Governor Neil Abercrombie, Honolulu City Council President Ernest Martin.

Kukui Gardens Resident Celebration, Honolulu, HI. July 9, 2011. Photo by Ric Noyle.