PSI Volunteers Work To Save Waialua Homeless Units
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Brittany Stonesifer teams up with her
dad, Brad, to install a light fixture in a
Waialua dwelling.
Community service has taken on new meaning for the local chapter of PSI World, which has spent the last five months renovating units earmarked by the state for the homeless.
A recent target of the group’s energy has been Kupuna Hale O Waialua. So far, PSI has completed seven units at the Waialua site, four units at Kamehameha Homes and three at Kaahumanu Homes.
These are previously unlivable because of needed cleaning, painting and repairs.
“Some of these units we basically demolished on the inside, meaning we almost replaced everything such as sinks, toilets, bathtubs, cabinets and stoves, as well as replacing drywall, floors, lighting fixtures and doors,” said project coordinator Cindy Namahoe.
The current goal is to finish the final two units in Waialua so they don’t lose their HUD funding. From there, she said, they plan on seeing what other homes need to be worked on. The next Waialua work dates are this Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are welcome and may call Namahoe at 722-5550.
Kenneth Moore delivers service with a smile
during a work day at Kupuna Hale O Waialua.
Photos from Cindy Namahoe.
The overall project, Ka Hale Malulani (“Household of Heavenly Protection”), began in January after members participating in a PSI seminar saw a story TV about a homeless family that had moved into state low-income housing.
“Our original project was to complete renovations of at least 10 units earmarked for the homeless and to raise money to complete 35 others,” Namahoe said. “We got so involved and loved the project so much that we continued after the initial assignment.”
PSI’s first work day was Jan. 2 with 40 volunteers. Since then, they have worked eight more weekends and have had more than 125 helping hands.
“Our youngest volunteer is 8 and our oldest is 85,” said Namahoe, who was part of a 90-day PSI seminar offered twice a year in Hawaii, which inspired work on the project.
Donations from PSI World and the community have helped to fuel the work. “So far, $22,500 has been donated including an in-kind donation from City MIll of $12,000 worth of paint, and $200 worth of supplies from Sears. And more donations are still coming in as more people hear about it.”
PSI World is a non-profit organization committed to making the world a better place. PSI World and PSI Seminars have been in Hawaii for 33 years, helping meet the needs of the community.
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