WAIMEA – Kaua’i Habitat for Humanity planned to have about a dozen volunteers at the Women Build in the Huakai housing development on Friday.
Instead, organizers were surprised that more than 20 women showed up at the Women Build event, including representatives from the Zonta Club of Kaua’i, including President Regina Carvalho and “Zonta Sister” Jaslyn Aquias.
“I asked Bernard (Kaua’i County Council member Bernard Carvalho Jr.) if he could sponsor me, but he was busy with the delegation from our Philippine sister city,” Regina said. “I’ve always wanted to see this Huakai development. I’m also looking forward to seeing the other upcoming projects.”
“Women Build,” a Kaua’i Habitat for Humanity initiative that was revived due to popular demand, offers volunteers the opportunity to work with Kaua’i Habitat for Humanity to build decent and affordable housing as part of the event.
“We – the whole group – are working on five different houses,” said Jocelyn Slade, one of four volunteers from Hawai’i Planing Mill (known as HPM Building Supply). “It makes sense because when Kaua’i Habitat does a key-delivery celebration, it’s usually five houses at a time.”
The construction day was open to all adults with any type of construction experience, said Kaua’i Habitat, whose executive director Milani Pimental joined the group of mostly female volunteers.
“Our neighborhoods are populated primarily by women and children, many of whom are heads of households, and this population is the most affected by substandard living conditions,” said Pimental. “An event like this offers women the opportunity to take action to serve their community and empower other women.”
Rev. Kerry “Kahu Kerry” Holder Jeffrion performed the blessing of the event and answered questions about the fashion aspect of her overalls after a morning shift of painting.
“We paint our nails pretty well,” said Nalani Layosa-Ho’okano, another HPM volunteer. “It’s good that they let us paint them. We can do it.”
Participants took on the challenge of building houses to honor the strength and resilience of women, said Kaua’i Habitat for Humanity.
“When construction takes place, it is always the men from HPM who take part,” said Layosa-Ho’okano. “For us women, this is the first time. We have one from Trusses, two from Lawai and one from Kapa’a.”
Event sponsors included Silver Builder Sponsors Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort and Spa and HPM Building Supply, Bronze Builder Sponsor Koa Yukimura of Allstate Insurance, the Bernard and Regina Carvalho ‘Ohana, and luncheon sponsors Lawai Beach Resort, MCS Grill and Jennifer Acroba of Oceanfront Sotheby’s International Realty.
In-kind sponsorship was provided by Koloa Surf Co., Aloha Collection and Spirit of Can.
Kaua’i Habitat for Humanity recently completed the ‘Ele’ele Iluna neighborhood of over 100 homes before turning its attention to the Huakai project in Waimea.
Since 1992, Kaua’i Habitat has built 239 affordable homes and made critical repairs to 37 existing homes for families on Kaua’i whose household incomes range from 30 to 80 percent of the median income on Kaua’i.
For more information, or to volunteer or donate to Kaua’i Habitat for Humanity, visit the website at www.kauaihabitat.org.
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Dennis FujimotoEditor and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or [email protected].
