AARP awards grants to 3 Hawai‘i groups, part of program to make communities more livable

AARP Hawai‘i announced the awarding of a 2023 Community Challenge grant to the Big Island’s Onomea Farm Hub and two other Hawai‘i organizations – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.6 million awarded among 310 organizations nationwide.

Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and older.

“AARP Hawai‘i is committed to working with local leaders to improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes,” said AARP Hawai‘i State Director Keali‘i Lopez.

Here in Hawai‘i, projects and organizations funded include:

• $2,500 to Onomea Farm Hub to engage volunteers to conduct walk audits along the Hawaii Belt Road to identify appropriate crosswalk, walk and bike path improvements.
  
• $15,000 to Better Block Hawaii to create a competition to solicit accessory dwelling unit designs and promote ADUs as an opportunity for affordable housing, particularly for older adults.
  
• $30,000 to the Honolulu City and County Department of Transportation Services to install flashing pedestrian beacon signs to improve pedestrian safety on School Street in Kalihi.

AARP Community Challenge grant projects are being funded in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Projects must be completed by November 30, 2023.

This year, the AARP Community Challenge accepted applications across three different grant opportunities, including existing flagship grants in addition to new capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability and community gardens. New demonstration grants will focus on improving transportation systems, with funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, and housing choice design competitions.

AARP is also bolstering its investment in rural communities, mobility innovation, transportation options, and health and food access.

“These grants continue to lead to long-term, positive changes in communities across the country,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer.

The grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages, especially those age 50 and older.

Since 2017, AARP Hawai‘i has awarded 23 grants and $281,866 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.