`ohana hope village
Architecture: Hawai’i Off Grid Architecture
Principal Architect: David Sellers
Principal Engineer: Jake Freeman
Architectural Staff: Jae Geun Yoo, Erica Pilotin, Emily Martin, Milo Becker
In response to the devastating Maui wildfires of August 2023, ‘Ohana Hope Village was conceived as a rapid response housing solution in Kahului, Maui. Designed by Hawaii Off Grid Architecture & Engineering in partnership with Family Life Center, this innovative community leverages research-based, trauma-informed design to provide displaced families with secure, temporary homes as they await the rebuilding of permanent housing.
PROJECT DETAILSThe off-grid community integrates Continest modular dwellings with prefabricated wet cores, along with self-sustaining energy and wastewater systems. Designed to accommodate large or multi-generational families and Kupuna, the village features clusters of 4-6 homes, each with a private bathroom, kitchen, and lanai, built around a shared community center. These centers provide communal laundry facilities, private meeting rooms, and spacious kitchens and dining areas—ideal for gathering and support.
Spanning ten acres, ‘Ohana Hope Village consists of 88 homes and 16 community centers, each functioning as a distributed microgrid with a central biodiesel backup generator to enhance energy resilience and reduce costs.
Beyond providing shelter, ‘Ohana Hope Village has been a beacon of hope for families navigating displacement. Its off-grid, community-focused design offers a replicable model for future disaster response efforts, ensuring sustainable and resilient housing for those affected by climate-related crises.
