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 Welcome to Molokai Habitat for Humanity! Molokai Habitat for Humanity (MHFH) is the only affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International that is located on the island of Moloka’i. MHFH is a community organization which works with people in need to build and renovate more decent and affordable homes on Moloka’i.
Check in with us to see What’s Happening, What’s New, or if you just want to Mahaoi (look around)! Groundbreaking for 19th Home! Groundbreaking for Molokai Habitat’s 19th
home will be on July 9, 2010 for David and Liz Kaai. Their project will consist
of building from ground up a more decent and livable home for the Kaai Family.
Their home will be the first for Molokai Habitat to be the most energy
self-reliant “off-the-grid” home. The Kaai family consists of 6 members:
David, Liz, Daizha, Davelynn, Braddah, and Nikolai. Liz and David were born and
raised on Molokai, and love camping, fishing, and hunting together as a family.
David has sustained his family as a CDL Bus Driver for the past six years, and
Liz has been by his side, every step of the way as a wonderful wife and
homemaker. Liz and David applied for a Habitat
Home after renting all their life, and realizing that they were tired of paying
rent for a home they would never be able to own. The Kaai’s also decided that they
“wanted more for ourselves and our children, so Habitat was the way to go.
Habitat was the ‘bomb’, and we love the volunteer process because its less for
us to have to deal with, and they’re the best.” The Kaai family is well deserving of
having a home build through Habitat. David has been volunteering for over a
year, and completed their volunteer sweat hours since September of 2009. Amidst
zoning, land, permit and paper-work issues, the Kaai’s have kept a positive
attitude while consistently volunteering and always lending a helping hand to
Habitat and its mission. This future home will provide the Kaai family with a nurturing, stabile environment for their family to live and grow in love. AmeriCorps Build-A-Thon 2010 The flood of hope brought to Cedar
Rapids was the constant theme during the 2010 AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon held in
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Molokai Habitat’s Alenna Davis (MHFH AmeriCorps VISTA) and
Emillia Noordhoek (Resource Development Director) attended the weeklong event
from June 11-18, 2010. The need for affordable housing is
especially great in the Cedar Rapids area, where nearly 4,000 homes were
damaged by fast-rising water during the devastating floods of June 2008, the
worst natural and economic disaster in Iowa’s history. The sheer size of the
disaster’s impact on Cedar Rapids is difficult to comprehend. Apporximately 9.2
square miles of the city were underwater; floodwaters exceeded the 500-year
floodplain level by many feet; and the damage to residential property in Cedar
Rapids was valued at more than $736 million. The 2010 Build-a-Thon highlighted the
recovery efforts in the Cedar Rapids area and showcased three approaches to
meeting the housing needs of communities: new construction, rehabilitation, and
repair. More than 20 homes were either built under new construction, rehabbed,
or repaired with the Brush of Kindness program. Alenna and Emillia along with more than 500 Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps National and AmeriCorps VISTA members from across the country participated in the yearly event. The Build-a-Thon’s larger focus is to raise awareness around affordable housing, highlight the partnership of the Corporation for National and Community Serve and Habitat for Humanity International, and increase the capacity of a community to meet its local needs. For more information please visit cvhabitat.org. Photo’s courtesy of Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity.       Women Build 2010 The east end of Molokai was full of
beautiful women sporting red shirts, hammers, and a “can-do” attitude. Molokai
Habitat held its Women Build 2010 in Kamalo, Molokai on May 1st and
May 8th in partnership with Phillip Vanderstraeten. With sunny sky’s and ocean breeze, this
year’s turn-out was a success for both days of building. Phil agreed by
adding,“I never knew volunteering would be so fun, three years of camping gets
old, and now I have a house to live in and an opportunity to give back to the
community.” The women worked on the subfloor of Phil’s 700 square-foot house, which will also be using Molokai Habitat’s first bamboo house kit provided through Bamboo Technologies of Maui. The bamboo kit, which will be arriving in June, will be our first completely “off-the-grid” house, incorporating solar, wind power and other renewable energy and architecture.
Groundbreaking
of 18th Home! Groundbreaking for Molokai Habitat’s 18th
home was held on March 11, 2010. Weather was perfect for the event which has
been anticipated since Phil & Tom turned in their application in November
of 2008. Phil & Tom are grateful that they’re “able to finally
have a home to live in”, and “look forward to start building”. Their home is being built in partnership with Bamboo Technologies who is sponsoring 50% of the material cost. Phil & Tom’s home will be built almost entirely of bamboo, being the first LEED certified home for Molokai Habitat.
Walls of Memories Complete After only 3 ½ months, Helene Stone is ready to
move into her newly completed four bedroom home. She will join our list of
homeowners at number seventeen. “Words can’t explain, I’m just over-whelmed with
gratitude” she replied when asked about how she felt now that the home is
complete. She explained how her most memorable moments were those of meeting
all the volunteers and getting to know them better. “I just want to hug them a
million times, they’ve been so kind and giving… they’re my earthly angels”.
Helene’s son Dickie agreed to his mothers gratitude to the volunteers as well,
“Thanks to all those who came out and helped. It wouldn’t have been possible to
complete this home without all of their help”. Helene explained her excitement
of “breathing and relaxing while being comfortable in my new home”. Their home
dedication was held on April 9, completing the 17th home of Molokai
Habitat for Humanity. Helene expressed her deep gratitude and thankfulness to
all those who made her dream of having a home where she “didn’t have to worry”
and a “place that our family can feel comfortable and spend time together. Mahalo to the following individuals, organizations
and businesses: Helene Stone, Tom Harvey, Steve Levesque, Dickie
Stone, Marlo Stone, Kaulana Stone-Pestana, Bill & Lynn Vogt, Jean &
kama Han, Monico Guerra, Benny Deluna Sr, Philip Vander Straeten, Floyd &
Emilie Mahiai, Tasha Mahiai, Kanoe Kekalia, Jeffery Benjamin, Matt Goodrich,
Global Village Volunteers (Rachel Edelman, Brett Ericson, Cheyenne Gilman,
Robert Kelly, Diana Kelly, Dorothy Kennedy, Hyeon (Yun) Kinny, Ron Kubek, Niraj
Marfatia, Caroline Reynolds, Tracy Roberson, Teri & Rachel Rochioli, Todd Roisman,
Mazze Sternbaum, Alex Teitelbaum, Kat & Sally Williams), Larry Quist, Greg
Fultz, David Kaai, Les Yee Hoy, Ben Bali, Shawn Kekahuna, Edwin Kaawa, Paul
Fischer, Rhonda & Solomon Kahalewai, Kevin “KB” Brown, Fred & Suliana
Aki, Brad Andrade, Jan Brandt, Jorgen Busby, Marialenna Davis, Ui Colon, Sue
Hollins, Harvey & Joan James, Chris Kaneakalau, Cory & Lisa Nielsen,
Junior Kaholoaa, Yama Kaholoaa, Lottie Burrows, Ishay Honokaupu, Alfred
DeMello, Leslie Dela Cruz, Maui Community College Staff (Susan Nartatez,
Vanessa Joao, Jenny Senas, Stephanie Dudoit, Napua Leong, Teddy Sotelo, Tomiko
Nishihira, Mikiala Pescaia, Sue Ann Hawegawa, Keanu Kapuni, Tanya Mendija),
Brian Gomes, Joshua Puaoi, Swenson Realty, Home Depot Foundation, Makoa
Trucking, DHHL, OHA Revolving Loan Fund, AHP Revolving Grant, Softwood Lumber
Grant, Coffee’s of Hawaii: Maria Holmes, and Kumu Farms. If we have missed anyone, we apologize and send our sincere gratitude for allowing Helene and her family a home where her family can flourish and be safe.
Helene in front of her newly completed home. CONGRATULATIONS! Join us on Facebook! Click on the link below to connect to Molokai Habitat’s Facebook Page! |
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