ELEELE — The Kauai Habitat for Humanity were big winners Saturday when the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach turned out with more than 25 members and adult friends to work on homes in the Habitat Eleele Iluna neighborhood.
The group was joined by Kauai Habitat staff and volunteers, and homeowners and their families at the Rotary Club’s Weinberg Friends project where the Kauai Habitat received a $10,000 award from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation as the “Friend” of the project.
“The group worked at three homes out of the larger building project of 17 homes,” said Milani Pimental of the Kauai Habitat for Humanity. “The volunteers did painting on the Ta‘ala home exterior, building a porch for the Geronimo home, and installing Soffits on the Davis home.”
Craig Nishimoto, Rotary Club of Poipu Beach Friends project coordinator, said the club qualified under the Weinberg Friends program to conduct the service project that benefits the poor and needy. This offered the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach to nominate a service provider like the Kauai Habitat for Humanity to receive the $10,000 grant from the Weinberg Foundation.
“It was a wonderful feeling to be able to present the $10,000 grant check to Milani today following a successful day of service with our fellow Rotarians and friends,” said Mike Faigle, Rotary Club of Poipu Beach president. “This year, Rotary is focused on our theme of ‘Be the inspiration,’ and I am so proud of our team for doing just that today for homeowners Sala Taala, Will Geronimo, and Celeste Davis.”
Homeowner Ta‘ala had come home from work to lend a hand with a brush and roller.
“I just came off my night shift at the hospital and checked in here at the jobsite,” Ta‘ala said. “I can’t believe how quickly the painting came along at my house. I’m just so thankful for all of the help.”
Pimental, Kauai Habitat deputy director, said by working in partnership with local organizations like the Rotary Club, the Habitat program through funding from the USDA Rural Development helps very low, and low-income families build affordable and safe homes of their own in rural areas like Kauai.
“This service project was a great day for all, especially with October being Rotary Club’s economic and community development month,” she said. “Kauai Habitat is so grateful for this grant and will use the funds to support our Family Services Department in providing financial coaching, group and one-on-one training meetings with low-income homebuyer applications to assist them throughout the process of the self-help program at Kauai Habitat.”
She said the group of 17 homes is expected to be completed by late 2018, or early 2019.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
