Kumukahi Health + Wellness received a $1 million grant from the Stupski Foundation to support a first-of-its-kind transitional housing program in Hilo and a transgender health navigator position to assist patients accessing gender-affirming health care and other social services.
Kumukahi CEO Peter Silva said the funding comes at a time when the Hawaii island nonprofit has faced reductions in government support and delayed hiring critical staff.
“We were relying on fundraising and getting more grants to keep them on board but the fundraising landscape has changed drastically. Big fundraisers just don’t happen any more, especially on the island,” Silva said.
He also cited recent Trump administration policies that have affected Kumukahi and other agencies with similar programs.
“The first executive order was directly targeted to agencies like mine, where there is no transgender recognition anymore. DEI
(diversity, equity and inclusion) is just the DNA of our organization,” he said, noting that Kumukahi began as a service organization during the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which was largely ignored by federal authorities.
The organization has since expanded its programs to serve Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, individuals using substances, and those with specialized medical needs, including HIV and hepatitis care.
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Silva emphasized Kumukahi’s role as a safety net for individuals who face barriers in traditional health care settings.
“We create a safe space for people to be their authentic selves,” he said. “Isolation is a big challenge on the Big Island. Many people face mental health issues and we’ve had suicides in our communities because of that.
“This grant moves us from, ‘Can we make payroll?’ to, ‘We have cash on hand and can finally create seed programs we’ve wanted to do for so long.’”
About 70% of the Stupski grant will go toward an endowment to provide a cushion against expected federal funding cuts in 2026 from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies, Silva said. The remaining funds will support the new housing program and the health navigator
position.
The transitional housing program will open at the end of September or early October in partnership with Going Home Hawaii, an organization experienced in
operating recovery and
justice-involved housing programs.
The five-bedroom home will provide six-month stays for individuals who have recently been incarcerated or are at risk of entering the criminal justice system. Silva said the program is expected to serve 10 to 20 people annually.
“We want to create a living space that centers on the experiences of trans and mahu individuals. This makes it safer for them to live as their authentic selves while giving them tools to achieve healthy and productive lives,” he said.
The transgender health navigator will be based in Kumukahi’s Hilo office and will assist patients accessing gender-affirming care and connect them with primary care providers, social services and other support
systems.
Silva said the navigator will serve 60 to 70 patients, ensuring that basic needs such as housing and food are met, which allows participants to focus on their health. He noted the position also will provide support at the transitional housing facility to help residents navigate care and
services.
He hopes the new programs will serve as a model for other islands and demonstrate the impact of gender-affirming care and housing services.
“We hope these positive health outcomes will inspire statewide funders and other organizations to replicate similar programs,” he said.
Kumukahi plans to sustain both initiatives through a combination of health insurance reimbursements and government funding.
