PUNAWAI O PUUHONUA

About Punawai o Puuhonua

Punawai o Puuhonua is a Hawaii-based Community Development Entity (CDE) that is able to receive allocation for New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC). NMTCs support the creation of jobs, goods and services in low-income communities. Punawai o Puuhonua is a partnership between Oahu Economic Development Board and American Savings Bank. It is seeking high-impact community facilities projects (typically greater than $5 million in size) with a gap in financing to fund with its future NMTC allocations. Below is background information about the NMTC program and a brief summary of the kinds of projects Punawai intends to support in Hawaii.

Download Punawai o Puuhonua informational flyer here

ABOUT NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS

The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program was established in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Treasury through the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. The NMTC Program incentivizes community development and economic growth through the use of tax credits that attract private investment to distressed, low-income communities. Across the U.S., the NMTC Program has awarded $71 billion and created or retained 938,000+ jobs.

Punawai o Puuhonua Project Type:

  • Community Facilities

    • Healthcare (e.g. health care facility)

    • Hospitality (e.g. hotel)

    • Education

  • Retail

  • Manufacturing

Project Location:

  • Must be in an NMTC eligible area in Hawaii - please refer to the Novogradac NMTC mapping tool here

  • “Deep” or "Severe distress" census tract areas

  • On Hawaiian Home Lands that also overlap with “deep” or “severe” distress areas

    • DHHL lessees, permitees and licensees

  • Federal Medically Underserved Areas

  • Non-metropolitan areas

Project Cost:

Generally, the total project value should be a minimum of $5 million and the project should have a capital stack ready to cover most (~80%) of the monetary need for the project. NMTC funding is intended to close the funding gap.

Desired Community Outcomes:

  • Quality, accessible jobs

  • Provide community goods and services to low income residents

Previous Awards and Projects

2022 Award - $55M

  • Parents and Children Together (PACT)

  • Hawaii Farming

  • Kanu o ka Aina Learning Ohana (KALO)

  • Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture (INPEACE)

2021 Award - $35M

  • Molokai General Hospital

  • Navajo Tribal Utility Authority

2018 Award - $40M

  • West Hawaii Community Health Center

  • Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital

2016 Award - $55M

  • Nanakuli Village Center

  • Waianae Coast Comprehensive - Nanakuli Clinic

  • Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital

2012 Award - $40M

  • Forest City Sustainable Resources, Pearl City

  • Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Renovation

  • West Hawaii Community Health Center

CONTACT

To learn more about New Markets Tax Credit Program, please contact Oahu Economic Development Board at punawai@oedb.biz.

Updated July 2025