HANAPEPE — New construction in the Eleele Iluna Subdivision recently received a boost from an unanticipated source.
The Kauai Habitat for Humanity project working to provide affordable housing to local residents accepted $50,000 from Jim and Sharon Richards of Sisters, Ore. This amount is to be matched one-to-one with other contributions in an effort to raise $100,000.
Jim Richards, a retired Merchant Marine captain, has observed and known the struggle to find affordable housing firsthand. Growing up, his family occasionally had trouble with lodging, and while they always managed to maintain a shelter over their heads, he remembers the precarious experience as “not a lot of fun.”
Now that he is older, he wants to give back.
As winter residents of Kapaa, Jim and Sharon, are familiar with the work of Kauai Habitat for Humanity. They jointly decided to contribute their donation with the idea that the organization use it to match dollar-for-dollar the gifts of other supporters.
“The Kauai (branch) is particularly impressive,” he says, noting that tourism can be a tricky industry for residents of the islands. “Those who support tourism can be fairly low-income. People who are fortunate enough to be able to afford spending time in Hawaii should contribute.”
The earmark estimate is $100,000 for getting one Kauai family into a house, and with an additional Waimea subdivision breaking ground next year, Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to have the support of individuals near and far.
“It’s really inspiring to see a part-time family step up and contribute to the community. We hope we can find more folks like this to help us build more affordable units,” said Chris Young, Kauai Habitat for Humanity spokesman.
To date, roughly half of the Richards’ $50,000 donation has been matched. According to Young, a third of those contributions have been from Mainland residents, and local events help bring in local donors.
To help Kauai Habitat for Humanity and the Richards meet their $100,000 challenge, visit http://kauaihabitat.org/captainschallenge.
