Using Hawaiian o‘o sticks, the stakeholders in the Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Project break ground April 16 for the Pahoa project. 9Photo courtesy of HOPE Services Hawaii)
Diocese of Honolulu-affiliate HOPE Services Hawaii broke ground April 16 for the Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Project, the first affordable housing development dedicated to kupuna in the Big Island’s Puna district.
The project is on land adjacent to Sacred Heart Shelter, the micro-shelter village next to Sacred Heart Church in Pahoa built for people displaced by the 2018 lower Puna lava eruptions.
HOPE Services provides a full range of housing-focused services on Hawaii Island. This new $2.2 million development, scheduled to be finished by the fall, will have 12 modular efficiency studio units, each with a kitchen and bathroom, plus a central pavilion and office.
HOPE Services CEO Brandee Menino expressed gratitude to the funders of the project, including the Diocese of Honolulu, which has been a decade in the making.
At the ceremony, Menino praised the vision of former County Councilwoman Emily Naole and Menino’s predecessor, Carol Ignacio. “It started with their partnership and their vision,” she said.
The venture began 10 years ago as a plan to rehab micro-housing units moved from a shelter project in Kawaihae on the other side of the island. But, according to a HOPE Services news release, the project “faced considerable setbacks, including permitting issues, contractor changes, and challenges to receiving federal funding because of the neighborhood’s lava zone status.”
The problems were compounded by changes in county and state leadership and rising costs.
But the project was revived after the eruption, as the critical need for housing persisted.
Among those attending the groundbreaking were Hawaii island Mayor Mitch Roth, and county council members Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder and Ashley Kierkiewicz.
Kanealii-Kleinfelder praised Menino for her organizational skills.
“The reason we’re here is because of her, her amazing ability to get everyone together and get something done,” he said. “I feel like every time I turn around Brandee Menino is inviting me to a new groundbreaking ceremony.”
Added Kierkiewicz, “This is another project that exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships and how our community should be working together to meet our most pressing challenges.”
Father John Molina, administrator of Sacred Heart Church blessed the site before the stakeholders broke ground using o‘o sticks.
The ceremony ended with blessings by community members, read by HOPE’s board of directors.
“May those who inhabit these dwellings be protected by these walls, like loving arms around you. May HOPE Services be forever blessed to continue programs like this,” read a blessing by HOPE street medicine volunteer LaVerne Tolmie.
The development partners include project manager Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation, civil engineer EPI – Engineering Partners Inc., licensed contractor Ludwig Construction Inc. and supplier HPM Building Supply.
Funders include Interfaith Communities in Action, the Roman Catholic Church, Hawaii Community Foundation, Friends of Hawaii’s Charities, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the Atherton Family Foundation, Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation and Big Island Candies.
During construction, HOPE Services plans to raise another $25,000 for furnishing, maintenance and landscaping. To contribute, visit hopeserviceshawaii.org/donate clicking the Paypal link, and typing “Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Project” in the note section.
