It’s no secret that multigenerational housing is common in the Aloha State.
In the 2020 census, 4.7% of all U.S. households reported themselves as multigenerational. Hawaii had the largest share of multigenerational households – an astonishing 9.1%.
Also known as shared housing, inter-generational housing, and extended family living, multigenerational housing is increasingly popular all over the United States. According to Pew Research, the number of homes shared by at least two generations of adults over 24, or grandparents with younger grandchildren, quadrupled between 1971 and 2021 — largely because of the decline of affordable housing.
“However, shared housing arrangements aren’t always made for purely economic reasons,” observes Evan Fujimoto, president of Graham Builders. “Living together allows families to strengthen bonds — and deepen both understanding and compassion.”
With 32 years at the Honolulu design+build firm, Fujimoto has seen how dynamics change and evolve when different generations live under the same roof. “Elders tend to share history through storytelling. When families live independently, storytelling becomes sporadic, and what’s lost is profound. But when families live inter-dependently, the richness of the elders’ lives, their struggles and successes, are passed down.”
Younger generations, he adds, can help with challenging household chores and teach kupuna how to navigate technology. “They understand cell phones and TV remotes! Everyone’s lives are enriched.”
Designing for family life
Leaning on their extensive experience creating homes for multi-generational households, Fujimoto and his team are adept at designing flexible floor plans, adaptable spaces, and accessible features that cater to a family’s unique requirements.
“Each family member brings his or her own wants, needs, idiosyncrasies, quirks, and ‘deal breakers’ into the picture,” he says. “Design professionals have to be good listeners to develop design solutions that work for everybody in the family.”
Fujimoto is presently working with a family on rebuilding their home to accommodate six people with very specific and different needs. The completed home will feature a music studio, a workshop, space for lots of bicycles, and parking for five vehicles.
“There’s a lot to fit in,” he says. “Floorplans have to allow for flexibility and adaptability as family members grow up and leave home, or age and eventually pass on. We take great care in determining how to situate a home on a property, so family members can comfortably live together yet have privacy as they desire.”
Homes for extended families often include separate living areas, private entrances, and shared common spaces that foster a sense of community and connection. Still, people don’t necessarily change how they live, even when moving from a smaller to a larger home.
“Although we know what works and why, and we often see things homeowners don’t always grasp initially, we’re not here to impose any specific concept on anyone,” says Fujimoto. “Our goal is always to design and build beautiful, safe, healthy, durable homes that can be enjoyed by all.”
Founded in 1990, Graham Builders remains the only contractor in Hawaii honored by the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics. Plan your dream home with Graham Builders’ FREE “Building Your Home for Life” seminar on Saturday june 7th,from 9- 11a.m. Register at grahambuilders.com or call 808/593-2808.