Leilehua Gets ‘Benched’ By Actus LL Staff
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Del.icio.usA partnership this school year between construction pros and Leilehua High students is making life a little more comfortable for residents at Ma’ili Land on the Waianae coast.
Mentors from Actus Lend Lease, a developer of military housing at Schofield, Hickam and Fort Shafter, met weekly with the participating nine students, one on one, at Leilehua to build outdoor furniture by hand for the transitional shelter. On May 15 the team took 10 completed benches and eight lawn chairs to present to Ma’ili Land, which is run by Catholic Charities.
“It was great,” said Tyler Kurashige, a school-based case manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hawaii, who coordinated the program. “It was so positive. And the furniture is very sturdy - heavy, solid, treated wood and high quality. We even sold one to an auction bidder at our gala.”
Besides their construction skills, the Actus employees would spend time sharing tips on life skills with their “mentees” and how to set goals as well as building things. The students put on hard hats and visited Schofield housing sites.
“It has given me a new perspective on teenagers today,” admitted Actus procurement administrator Stephanie Saylor. “The group we are working with is motivated and respectful; I have renewed confidence that our young people will be able to lead in the years to come.”
Still ahead is the completion of a new school sign for the Mules. Kurashige said the students - all males - designed it and will assemble it with Actus later this summer when the ordered parts arrive from the Mainland. The current sign was donated to the Wahiawa school more than 50 years ago.
Selected students also will be awarded a paid summer internship with Actus.
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