This summer, Hayley Cheyney Kane was crowned Miss Hawai‘i 2024, marking a significant milestone in her life. Another exciting achievement is the purchase of her new home at Kuilei Place. The seeds of homeownership were planted when she was crowned Miss Hawai‘i Teen in 2013, where she first met Crystal Montrone, Miss Hawaii 2013. Years later, upon returning to Hawai‘i from Seattle, Crystal, now Kuilei Place’s Project Sales Administrator, informed her about the new residences. Hayley jumped at the opportunity, and soon she and her sister Addie were choosing their color palette for their new home.

Growing up in a multigenerational household in Kāne‘ohe, she was raised by a single parent and grandparents. For her, living in the islands as a Native Hawaiian is profoundly meaningful, especially since 55 percent of Native Hawaiians live outside Hawai‘i. Owning a home at Kuilei Place is a dream come true for her and her family, who had never owned a home before. Despite the challenges, she never gave up on this dream.

The entire process, from application to approval and selecting their residence, felt surreal. Her journey, including making a down payment and adding her sister to the lease, is a testament to perseverance and hope. Sharing this experience with Addie, who overcame childhood cancer, makes it even more special.

“The chance to share this life with her is even more precious,” she says. Addie, now 23, has been in remission for almost 15 years and is set to attend the University of Hawai‘i to become a nurse practitioner. Though they haven’t lived together in a long time, the thought of starting this new chapter together excites them both.

As a singer, Hayley is particularly excited about the Hana Hou Karaoke Lounge on the penthouse level with unmatched views of Waikīkī. “Karaoke? Always down!” she laughed, reminiscing about her talent segment in the Miss Hawai‘i competition.

With only a few steps left to complete, she reflects on her journey and looks forward to living in close proximity to the John A. Burns School of Medicine as she pursues her dream of becoming a primary care physician. Her role as a preventative medicine educator at Waimānalo Health Center, advocating for lifestyle changes to combat heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension affecting Native Hawaiians, aligns perfectly with her new lifestyle at Kuilei Place.

“Investing in this home felt like investing in the next generation,” she says.

The Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation program at Kuilei Place allows eligble Hawaiʻi residents like Hayley and her sister to purchase homes at below market prices. For Hayley, her new dream home is not just a place but a symbol of everything she’s worked for and believed in. Congratulations, Hayley, on becoming Miss Hawai‘i 2024 and a future homeowner at Kuilei Place!