Pua DeSoto is used to chasing momentum. A Native Hawaiian pro surfer with multiple national titles to her name, she has built a reputation for strength, discipline, and fearless commitment in the water. Now, she is channeling that same drive into a different kind of milestone: building a future for herself in Hawaiʻi through homeownership.

Raised in Mākaha on Oʻahu’s west side, where her family is deeply rooted and where her father, pro surfer Duane DeSoto, is from, Pua has grown up with a strong connection to the ocean and her community. A college student, young businesswoman, and a competitive athlete, she has built a life shaped by motion, purpose, and place.

“I’m a water woman first,” she says. “Whether it’s surfing, bodysurfing, paddling, or just being in the ocean, that’s where I feel most connected to myself, to my culture, and to the practices of my ancestors.”

That connection shapes how she sees everything, including home. For Pua, the ocean is not only where she competes. It is where she feels grounded, where she honors those who came before her, and where she has found both opportunity and direction.

For many young people in Hawaiʻi, homeownership can feel out of reach. Rising costs and limited availability have made it harder to imagine putting down roots and building a future here at home.

For Pua, that reality is personal.

“As a Native Hawaiian, homeownership holds a deeper meaning,” she says. “It isn’t only about purchasing a home, it’s about staying rooted in our ʻāina, creating stability for our ʻohana, and helping ensure that our people can continue to live and thrive here in Hawaiʻi.”

That dream was nurtured early by her mother, Mālia Kaʻaihue, who encouraged her to think seriously about ownership, stability, and having a place of her own in Hawaiʻi.

“I’ve honestly dreamed about owning a home for a long time,” Pua says. “My mom planted that seed in me early, that land and property matter, especially in Hawaiʻi, and owning something of your own is important.”

That encouragement became one of the quiet through-lines of her journey.

“My mom was definitely that person for me,” she says. “She was always checking in and making sure I stayed on track.”

That support mattered, especially when the process began to feel bigger than expected.

“At first, I would look at the list of things I needed to do and feel overwhelmed,” she says. “I think I made the process feel harder in my head than it actually was.”

Pua did not begin with total confidence or a perfect understanding of the system. She learned by stepping into it.

“Before Kuilei Place, I didn’t really know about HHFDC or opportunities like this for first-time homebuyers,” she says. “Once I started learning about the process, I realized owning my own home could actually be possible for me.”

Through HHFDC, the path became clearer. For eligible local buyers, HHFDC can help make homeownership more attainable through below-market pricing and a 5% deposit, with protections that preserve affordability over time.

“It was stressful at times because I was balancing school, surfing, travel, and so many other things,” she says.

But she kept returning to the image that mattered most.

“The vision I kept coming back to was being in my own home for the first time, unpacking once, leaving everything in place, decorating it, and knowing the space was mine.”

For Pua, homeownership is also about creating a practical home base for the life she is building. After years of moving between school, surfing, travel, and family, she is looking forward to having a place of her own in town, somewhere close to surf, work, and the rhythms of everyday life.

“I’m excited for the simple moments,” she says. “Sunsets, having my own space, sharing it with family and friends, and enjoying a place that feels like mine.”

Just as important, she hopes her experience can encourage others. She is not presenting homeownership as easy. She is showing that it can be possible.

“If it’s something you truly want for yourself, it’s worth the time and energy it takes to get through the process,” she says. “I would tell other young people that it may feel intimidating at first, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach.”

To learn more about HHFDC opportunities at Kuilei Place, visit our Sales Gallery at Ala Moana Center or connect with our sales team.