Building a place to call home

ANAHOLA — Kamaka Fernandez knows what it’s like when people pitch in to build a home.

So she spent much of her weekend doing exactly that.

“I just want to help build houses so more people can enjoy their homes,” Fernandez said, helping Grace Nieh line up studs for sizing Sunday. “Everyone came to help me when I built my house. Now, it’s my turn to help.”

Fernandez, whose home was recently dedicated by the Kauai Habitat, was among two dozen volunteers helping during the Hawaii Habitat for Humanity’s Build-A-Thon in Anahola Friday through Sunday.

The Kauai Habitat for Humanity, an affiliate of the Hawaii Habitat, joined the statewide event to generate awareness and support for the Hawaii Habitat and its affiliates.

“The mayor helped raise this wall,” said Vern Kauanui, who along with partner Don Baker, is a prospective homeowner of the project. “When it’s done, I would like to have a picture of the mayor by this wall.” 

Baker said prior to Friday, the only thing on the lot were the piers.

“The volunteers were awesome,” he said. “Friday, they raised the exterior framing, and Saturday, the interior framing went up. Today, they’re reinforcing everything.”

Milani Pimental, Kauai Habitat director of development, said this is the eighth year for the build-a-thon.

“Our project is part of the statewide effort and we made some tremendous progress,” she said.

Baker said he never thought Kauanui would come back to Anahola.

“He grew up in Anahola,” Baker said. “About two years ago, he found out about the Habitat program, and today, Vern is coming back to Anahola.”

Baker said, owning a home on Kauai was on his bucket list.

“I used to live in a high rise in Dallas before moving here,” Baker said. “I’ve been coming over a lot and moved here right after the hurricane, 23 years ago. I have a koa paddle dining set which is going in the dining area. I never thought this was going to be possible.”