As part of the Davis Democracy Initiative, Punahou School recently welcomed the Holomua Collective – represented by President and Executive Director Josh Wisch, Operations Director Tracey Erker ’00, and Policy and Communications Director Matt Prellberg – for a discussion with Academy students about Hawai‘i’s cost of living and long-term sustainability.
The Honolulu-based nonprofit focuses on advancing affordability and opportunity for Hawai‘i residents through research, coalition building and legislative advocacy. Centered on key challenges such as housing, wages and the economic pressures that make it difficult for many local families to remain in the islands, the team shared findings from its Affordability Survey and highlighted one of its key initiatives – creating a housing market reserved for local buyers – along with the use of policy tools such as deed restrictions to help keep homes affordable and accessible to residents.
Students learned about Holomua’s work at the State Legislature, including the Kama‘āina Homes Bill (HB 739), which seeks to make homeownership more attainable for residents. The discussion also covered topics such as vacant homes, coalition building and how community partnerships can increase the chances of a bill becoming law.
The session concluded with a student Q&A that touched on the importance of keeping families in Hawai‘i and supporting communities in times of need, including Holomua’s work to assist those affected by the Lahaina fires. The visit offered students valuable insight into how civic engagement and collaboration can drive meaningful change for Hawai‘i’s future.
Learn more about Holomua Collective here: https://holomuacollective.org/
