25 Apr Habitat homeowners receive keys to their new homes at dedication ceremony in Anahola
New Habitat homeowners receive keys to their new homes at dedication ceremony in Anahola
Habitat homeowners at dedication and key passing ceremony in Anahola. Photo by Dale Gearhart.
Hanapēpē, Hawai‘i – Three new Habitat homeowners received the keys to their new homes yesterday afternoon at Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity’s house dedication and key passing ceremony at the Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands Pi‘ilani Mai Ke Kai subdivision in Anahola. Mayor Bernard Carvalho attended and addressed the crowd, congratulating the Fernandez, Napoleon, and Ka‘aihue-Paopao families on achieving their dream of homeownership and emphasizing the importance of affordable housing in our community.
Executive Director Stephen Spears highlighted the accomplishments and hard work of all the families and thanked volunteers and contributors for their dedication and support during the nine-month construction process. Homeowner Kristie Ka‘aihue-Paopao told guests about their construction process being a family effort – all three children were involved from greeting guests and cleaning up the jobsites to installing their own bedroom flooring. “We are so appreciative and grateful for all the support we’ve received,” said Ka‘aihue-Paopao. “It’s a new dawn for us.”
Spears noted, “We’re grateful for the generosity of our donors and volunteers. It’s with their help and the self-help model that we are able to build truly affordable homes. There are over 1,900 more families waiting to partner with Habitat. That’s why we’re working to build another 107 homes in Phase II of our ‘Ele‘ele Iluna subdivision.”
“We’re turning houses into homes,” said Jessica Clabo, volunteer coordinator. “This celebration is also very fitting for our supporters since it’s National Volunteer Week. We couldn’t have done this without the many helping hands who gave their time and efforts to build these homes.”
Present at the event were Habitat board members, supporters and volunteers, and representatives from Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands. Also in attendance were members of the Kauai Board of REALTORS® who earlier in the day showcased the Ka‘aihue-Paopao home as the last stop during their eastside Caravan of listings. Kau‘ai Habitat Capital Campaign Chair and REALTOR® Associate Fran McDonald said, “This was a very special Caravan. Thanks to sponsors Title Guaranty of Hawaii and Bank of Hawaii, we were able to pay tribute to the efforts of over 50 KBR members who helped begin construction on the homes and raised $8,500 in support of Kaua‘i Habitat.”
In the coming weeks, the affiliate hopes to issue a request for proposals to solicit bids for the selection of a general contractor for the ‘Ele‘ele Iluna Phase II project. Staff and volunteers continue efforts to raise $3
P.O. Box 28, ‘Ele‘ele, HI 96705 | www.kauaihabitat.org | T: 808.335.0296million in philanthropic contributions as part of Habitat’s capital campaign to help launch construction of the first 48 homes. Those interested in learning more about Kaua‘i Habitat’s campaign can contact Campaign Chair Fran McDonald at franinkauai@aol.com or Milani Pimental at 335-0296. To date, the organization has spent $2.5 million to complete infrastructure and home construction for 18 homes in Phase I; and $2 million to install the main water line, sewer line, highway improvements, detention basin, and Facilities Reserve Charges. Approximately $16 million in funds from sources such as sale of the lots and funding partners will be needed to complete both increments of Phase II, including remaining infrastructure work and house construction.
###
About Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity
Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical, nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Its mission is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world – one house at a time on Kaua‘i – and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Through volunteer and homeowner labor, and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses.
Kaua‘i Habitat features two main home building programs: New Home Construction Program and Repair and Renovation Program. Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity also operates ReStore®, which sells new and used discounted building and construction materials and household items. Proceeds from ReStore® support Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build decent, affordable housing. Since 1992 Kaua‘i Habitat has built 108 affordable homes and made critical repairs to 19 existing homes for Kaua‘i families whose household income is between 30-80% of the median Kaua`i income. Because the critical need for affordable housing continues to persist on our island, Kaua`i Habitat has pledged to scale up our capacity and build our next 100 homes before the next decade.
For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.kauaihabitat.org, or follow us on FaceBook (www.facebook.com/kauaihabitat) or Twitter (@kauaihabitat).