Hawaiian Humane Celebrates the Grand Opening of its Second Location, the Kosasa Family Campus at Ho opili

On May 20, 2023, a crowd gathered excitedly at Fort Weaver Road and Old Fort Weaver Road in ‘Ewa Beach. The sun warmed the signature iron-rich red earth of West O‘ahu and contemporary Hawaiian music floated through the air. The anticipation was palpable, with keiki eagerly debating with their parents whether they could go to a dog or cat pavilion first. The day had finally come - it was the grand opening of our second location, the Hawaiian Humane Society Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili.

The family-friendly event included a traditional Hawaiian blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa. Inspiring opening remarks were delivered by Susan and Mi Kosasa, board members and long-time supporters representing the family for whom the campus is named; Michelle Garcia, associate director of the Kosasa Family Campus; Ginny Tiu and Larry Rodriguez, board members and capital campaign committee co-chairs; Anna Neubauer, president and CEO; Tracy Tonaki, D.R. Horton Hawai‘i division president; Ryan Jones representing the Schuler Family Foundation & Jones Family; senators Mike Gabbard and Henry Aquino; and councilmembers Augie Tulba and Tyler Dos Santos-Tam. Community tables featured partners such as Animal Crime Stoppers, Wai‘anae Wags and VCA Animal Hospital. A keiki interactive area, petfriendly products and vendors, and live music by Kaeo Pono rounded out the attractions.

Designed by Pacific Asia Design Group in consultation with animal care facility and design architecture experts, Animal Arts, and constructed by Allied Builders, the Kosasa Family Campus implements innovative design features in accordance with shelter best practices to minimize stress and the risk of disease transmission for the animals in our care. These include soft-close kennels; open-air circulation; individual drainage for kennels and play yards; and larger, dedicated spaces for animal enrichment and exercise.

“The Hawaiian Humane Society has always provided services island-wide, but this expansion – the single largest in Hawaiian Humane history – will drastically increase resource accessibility for Central and West O‘ahu residents, support collaboration with new stakeholders and create better outcomes for animals in need, “ said Hawaiian Humane President and CEO Anna Neubauer. “Two of every three West O‘ahu households report owning a pet, which is the highest percentage on the island. The Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili will provide essential programs and services including spay/neuter, education, outreach, rescue response and adoptions to an estimated 17,000 individuals annually. Unlike our Mō‘ili‘ili campus, which has had to evolve to support the growing diversity of our work within a limited footprint, here we had the chance to create a unified entry with all of our services in a centralized place while incorporating Socially Conscious Sheltering best practices to provide animals with the best care.”

There will be a phased launch of services at the Kosasa Family Campus, with pet adoptions being offered Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm and Pet Food Bank, Hawaiian Humane’s temporary pet food assistance program, hosted every Sunday and Wednesday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Admissions services through the Kosasa Family Campus’ Ginny Tiu Pet Kōkua Resource Center, including lost and found, animal admissions and additional services, and the Ginny Tiu Community Spay/Neuter Center will be offered to the public later this summer.

Members of the public are encouraged to continue visiting our Mō‘ili‘ili campus if they are seeking animal support services and spay/neuter services during this time. Additionally, the Kosasa Family Campus community dog park will open to the public later this year to allow grass and vegetation to mature. For the latest service updates at the Kosasa Family Campus, visit HawaiianHumane.org.

MahalO!

Mahalo to Capital Campaign Committee co-chairs Ginny Tiu and Larry Rodriguez, and the entire committee, for working tirelessly to raise an incredible $30 million toward this second campus. Their fundraising effort was transformative in extending Hawaiian Humane’s reach in meeting the needs of greater Central and West O‘ahu.