As Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month comes to a close, NLIHC celebrates the many contributions made by members of these communities, reflects on the persistent disparities they face in accessing quality, affordable homes, and recommits itself to anti-racist action that will lead to greater equity and housing justice for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
NLIHC has many members from the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities who work tirelessly to advance solutions to the homelessness and housing crisis across the country. One example of NLIHC’s recent work to uplift and support the housing needs of Native Hawaiians is through its ongoing Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition’s Hawaiʻi Wildfires Working Group.
Established with the National Housing Law Project after the catastrophic wildfires in Lahaina, the working group continues to meet bi-weekly to create clear channels of communication with housing and community advocates in Maui, amplify federal housing advocacy efforts, and provide best practices, technical assistance, support and solidarity for those conducting housing recovery efforts. Early on in the formation of the working group, Native Hawaiian members shared crucial resources and context about the social and cultural norms in Hawaiʻi, which were incorporated into NLIHC’s first Cultural and Sovereignty Resource Guide for Disaster Recovery Organizations.
Recognizing the deep legacy of U.S. colonialism, imperialism, and disenfranchisement that has occurred on Maui from the point of western contact with Native Hawaiians through today is central to the story of recovery currently being written. The resource guide and the direct experiences of Native Hawaiian working group members continue to inform NLIHC’s outreach and advocacy efforts on Maui and beyond. Learn more about the working group on the NLIHC website.