The Kahu Mālama Award Dinner & Silent Auction is one of the most meaningful annual gatherings for Gregory House Programs, a night where our community comes together to honor compassion, uplift resilience, and support housing and healthcare for individuals living with HIV across Hawaiʻi. As we look ahead to the 2026 event, we are excited to celebrate the people and partners who make our mission possible and to invite our supporters to join us in an evening of purpose, connection, and aloha.
More than just a fundraising dinner, the Kāhū Mālama Award event recognizes those who embody the spirit of “kahu,” a caretaker, guardian, or steward, and “mālama,” to protect, nurture, and care for others. Together, they represent the values that have guided Gregory House Programs since 1988: compassion, dignity, and community care.
A Night to Honor Service and Impact
Each year, the Kahu Mālama Award Dinner shines a light on individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond in supporting people living with HIV and strengthening the safety net of housing, nutrition, and case management across the islands. These honorees include advocates, healthcare professionals, community partners, and individuals whose leadership has helped advance health equity and improve outcomes for Hawaiʻi’s most vulnerable residents.
Recognition at this event is deeply meaningful, not only for the honorees themselves but for the community members whose lives have been touched by their work. Their efforts help reduce stigma, expand access to care, and create pathways toward better health and independence. By uplifting their contributions, we celebrate the collective effort behind the progress made in HIV services and reaffirm our commitment to sustaining that progress for future generations.
Why This Event Matters Now More Than Ever
The 2026 Kahu Mālama Award Dinner arrives at a time of significant challenge for HIV service providers in Hawaiʻi. With major reductions in federal Ryan White funding scheduled to take effect in April 2026, Gregory House Programs is preparing to navigate one of the largest funding gaps in our history. These cuts threaten essential services including rent subsidies, transitional housing, utility assistance, the Save the FoodBasket nutrition program, and comprehensive case management.
The funds raised through this event will directly support our emergency bridge efforts, helping ensure that individuals living with HIV do not face homelessness, hunger, or disruptions to their care. Community participation, whether through attending, bidding, donating, or sponsoring, plays a critical role in keeping these services available for the people who rely on them every day.
An Evening of Community, Connection, and Aloha
Guests at the Kāhū Mālama Award Dinner can expect an evening filled with warmth and fellowship. Hosted at one of Honolulu’s premier venues, the event brings together supporters, partners, and friends who share a common belief: that every person deserves stability, dignity, and compassionate care.
The program includes a curated dinner celebrating local flavors, live entertainment featuring Hawaiʻi artists, and opportunities to hear powerful stories from Gregory House Programs participants and staff. These stories highlight how stable housing, nutritious meals, and trusted case management transform lives, often in ways that extend far beyond immediate needs.
By the end of the evening, attendees leave not only inspired but deeply connected to the mission and impact of Gregory House Programs.
A Silent Auction With Purpose
The silent auction is a crowd favorite, offering a chance to bid on unique items and experiences donated by generous community partners. From island getaways and restaurant packages to local artwork and cultural experiences, the auction gives attendees a fun and meaningful way to support our programs.
Every bid helps sustain life-changing services for individuals living with HIV. The proceeds directly fund housing support, groceries and hot meals, case management appointments, and ongoing access to essential healthcare resources. Whether you are placing the winning bid on a special item or simply joining the fun, your participation makes an immediate and lasting impact.
Supporting Housing Is Healthcare in Hawaiʻi
For more than 38 years, Gregory House Programs has served Oʻahu and the Neighbor Islands with a simple truth at the heart of our work: housing is healthcare. Safe, stable housing allows individuals living with HIV to remain on medication, maintain viral suppression, and focus on their overall wellbeing. Without housing, health outcomes decline rapidly.
The Kahu Mālama Award Dinner and Silent Auction helps sustain this mission by funding services that prevent homelessness, support daily nutrition needs, and connect clients to life-saving medical care. These supports reduce hospitalizations, improve long-term health outcomes, and create stronger, healthier communities across Hawaiʻi.
How You Can Participate
There are several ways to join us for the 2026 Kahu Mālama Award Dinner and Silent Auction:
- Attend the event: Join us for an evening of celebration, connection, and purpose.
- Bid in the silent auction: Support our mission while taking home something special.
- Become a sponsor: Businesses and individuals can sponsor tables or program elements to amplify their impact.
- Give a donation: If you cannot attend, your gift still directly supports housing, nutrition, and care services.
Your participation helps ensure that no one in Hawaiʻi has to face HIV, homelessness, or food insecurity alone.
Reserve Your Spot Today
We invite you to be part of this special evening. To learn more about the 2026 Kahu Mālama Award Dinner and Silent Auction, purchase tickets, or make a donation, please visit: 2026 Kahu Mālama Award Dinner and Silent Auction
Mahalo for helping us honor the caretakers, protectors, and champions who uplift our community, and for standing with Gregory House Programs as we work to ensure housing, nutrition, and care remain accessible for those who need them most.
