Honolulu Celebrates UN World Habitat Day with the Community Builder Award

Oct 13, 2025 Latest News

Hui Mahi‘ai ‘Āina, a long-term support program for houseless individuals founded by Aunty Blanche McMillan, was awarded the Community Builder Award as the highlight of the Local Observance of UN World Habitat Day on October 6. Hawaii Lt. Governor Sylivia Luke opened the day with a clear call for everyone to support their communities and highlighted the State’s determination to provide every child with a preschool education, often in co-located facilities in the community, as the foundation of economic growth and opportunities for the future. City Council Member Matthew Weyer welcomed the Delegates and voiced his strong support for inclusive, resilient and innovative urban development. Rusmin Lawin, the Global Ambassador of Real Estate Indonesia, briefed everyone on Nusantara, Indonesia’s newly developed Capital City and its culturally relevant, future-focused goals of global connectivity, public-private partnerships for people, and accelerated, sustainable economic transformation.

The Hawai’i SDG Youth Council blessed the gathering and shared their visions of a world where respect for our land, water and neighbors is the start of a paradigm shift toward a brighter urban future for all. Bowers + Kubota architect Aaron Ackerman continued the program with an inspiring session where he used his home to demonstrate the Living Building Challenge - a framework for designing, constructing, and improving symbiotic relationships between people and our built and natural environments. Ted Peck of Holu Hou Energy assured the Delegates that, despite the challenges, solar-powered homes, townhomes and apartments are still possible.

FIABCI-USA President Shirley Johnson-Boyd noted, “I was impressed by Honolulu’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the people who shared their stories of successful projects and programs that really are making a difference in their communities.” The Delegates closed the day with a firm commitment to continue building supportive, inclusive communities; more housing of more types for more people and educating everyone on how supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals is the key to adapting and transforming through all the shocks and stresses in our world.

The Local Observance of World Habitat Day was sponsored by the Coalition for Specialized Housing, the Hawaii Association of Realtors, Honolulu Board of Realtors and Guaranteed Rate, with support from FIABCI-USA, Hawaii Green Growth Local 2030 Hub and World Citizen Consulting.