Owning her own home in Hawaiʻi always seemed like an unattainable fantasy to Samantha St. John, even with a stable career as a nurse at Kapiʻolani Hospital for the last decade. But then the longtime Kaimukī resident heard about the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot (DEP) Program at Kuilei Place.

“The journey to owning a home in Hawaiʻi has been a whirlwind, filled with unexpected opportunities and support,” Samantha said. “Programs like this give hope to kama‘āina who want to stay and thrive in their beautiful island home. It’s encouraging to see initiatives that allow people to remain close to their families and roots.”

With a challenging real estate market in the Islands, Samantha didn’t think her budget would allow her to buy her own home. After graduating from college, any savings Samantha managed to put aside was quickly spent repaying her college expenses with not much left to save.

Although she wasn’t actively looking to buy a home, Samantha’s best friend introduced her to realtor and Kuilei Place sales associate Chris Tasaka, who told her about the new DEP program at Kuilei Place. It was then that her perspective began to shift. Chris encouraged Samantha to gather the necessary documentation to see if she qualified for the program. Thanks to Chris’ guidance and support from the DEP program, Samantha secured her prequalification letter from a preferred lender and quickly moved through the steps to homeownership.

“The fact that I now own my own home in town feels like a surreal achievement,” Samantha said. She loves the bustling neighborhood of East Honolulu, near her family and job as a labor and delivery nurse at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. Her family is thrilled, albeit a bit bittersweet, as they never imagined she would move out given the challenges of the Hawai‘i housing market.

“Showing my mom the building and its amenities made her half-jokingly wish she could move in with me,” said Samantha. “I recently got a puppy, so I love that Kuilei Place is designed for pet owners, which was a significant factor in my decision. Finding pet-friendly apartments in Hawaiʻi is tough, especially for larger dogs like mine. The amenities at my new home are a dream. From the two different dog parks where my pup can play freely to the welcoming community atmosphere, every aspect feels tailored to my needs.”

Working night shifts as a nurse can be grueling, but it’s her hope that having her own space means she can create a better routine for herself. “I’m excited about this new chapter and eager to see how my life will flourish in my own space,” Samantha said. “I’ve been sharing my experience with friends, hoping they too can find similar opportunities within the HHFDC or DEP programs. Homeownership in Hawaiʻi is challenging, but with the right support, it’s possible, and I’m living proof of that.”