029: Lahaina is Not for Sale: The Lahaina Community Land Trust

Meg Obenauf speaks with Autumn Ness, Executive Director of the Lahaina Community Land Trust, about what it takes to rebuild homes, community, culture, and long-term belonging after disaster. Listeners will learn the origin story of the Lahaina Community Land Trust after the Lahaina wildfire, how the Land Trust model keeps housing affordable in perpetuity, and the Land Trust’s innovative housing allocation process that prioritizes long-time residents.

Key Takeaways

• Permanent Affordability + Equity: Buyers pay less than market-rate mortgage payments, build equity, and avoid skyrocketing rents — all while homes remain affordable for future buyers.
• Simple, Fair Resale: Homes appreciate 1.5% annually. When owners sell, they pay off their mortgage and keep their earned equity. The next buyer is selected from a waitlist.
• No Commissions, No Speculation: The CLT facilitates buyer-seller matching, bypassing real estate agents and eliminating profit-driven flipping.
• Post-Fire Relief Through Equity Partnerships: Instead of buying out struggling fire survivors, the Land Trust invests in keeping them home, preserving their pre-fire equity, and topping off insurance shortfalls so they can rebuild.
• Voluntary, Fair Terms: Families agree to resale restrictions and residency requirements in exchange for significant financial support.
• Locally Rooted Leadership: CLT board members must be born and raised in Lahaina with generational ties and a record of community service. Their work is guided by cultural advisors from across Lahaina’s diverse populations.

Lahaina Is Not for Sale — A Final Word from Autumn Ness

As the conversation closes, Autumn shares one of the most sobering takeaways:

“We haven’t found a single post-disaster community that isn’t a cautionary tale of near-total erasure — including the families.”

But Lahaina is determined to be the exception.

Thanks to growing partnerships — with Habitat for Humanity, Hawaiʻi Community Lending, long-term recovery groups, and others — the Lahaina Community Land Trust doesn’t stand alone. Together, they're not just rebuilding homes, but ensuring the right to remain home for generations to come.

Before You Sell…

Autumn’s final message is direct and urgent:

“If you or someone you know in Lahaina is thinking about selling, call us first.”

Many residents are exhausted and overwhelmed. But distress-driven sales can be prevented — and the Lahaina Community Land Trust can help. 

 

How to Get Involved

Interested in joining the waitlist or learning more? Applications aren't open yet, but interested families can email now to be added to the list. Financial counseling and homeownership guidance will be provided in partnership with Hawaiʻi Community Lending.

📩 Email: [e-mail]
💻 Website: lahainacommunitylandtrust.org (Check for updates)

Phone: [phone]

Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/LahainaCommunityLandTrust 

https://www.instagram.com/lahainacommunitylandtrust/ 

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