Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 12, 1 December 1997 — NĀ PUA KOʻOLAU: Realizing the Dream of home ownership [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NĀ PUA KOʻOLAU: Realizing the Dream of home ownership

B y J oy s o n Harper ĪHE RAINS that swept over Waimānalo on a windy November morning could not dampen the spirits of six families who found themselves one step closer to a dream. On Saturday

Nov. 1, the "sweat equity" phase of the - 53-home housing project Nā Pua Ko'olau kicked into high gear. With the assistance of OHA's Housing Division, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, United States Department of Agriculture/Rural Development Service and the hard work I of six Hawaiian families, home ownership is quickly becoming reality through Nā Pua Ko'olau located on Hawaiian Home Lands in Waimānalo. Of the 53 homes being developed, six are designated as self-help. A concept bom out of the need for affordable housing, self-help has quickly become a viable means of providing families with quality homes. Self-help projects first gained notoriety in 1976 with the Habitat for Humanity program and the participation of its most famous volunteer, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Built on the idea that families ean construct their own homes. self-help housing incorg porates hard work, enthusiasm as well as 9 the skills individuals bring to a construc- < tion site. Perhaps one of the biggest bene1 fits of self-help housing is the self-esteem | and pride it instills in the participating 3 families, qualities essential for homeowners. The overall developer of the Nā Pua

Ko'olau project is Finance Waimānalo, Ltd., a subsidiary of Finance Factors. Before the project began, an OHA panel screened a DHHL list of 85 applicants who had expressed an interest in self-help housing. The panel had several criteria whieh enabled them to pre-qualify and

then render decisions on selected applicants: ineome limits set by the USDA and Rural Development Service; the ability to deliver labor and construction needs; a positive attitude and a willingness to work with other 'ohana. Six families meeting those criteria organized into a work group

called Hui o Na Pua Ko'olau and elected -- officers who would represent eaeh family working with OHA's project management contractor, James Severson Jr. AIA. Assisted by Severson, the hui secured bids and contracts for purchases of materials and services. Additionally, many items and services have also been donated through Severson, his construction supervisor Miehael Crews, and the many contacts family members have in the community. The OHA Board of Trustees has allocated $60,000, or $10,000 dollars per unit, toward the construction of the six homes. These funds pay for the work performed by the project management team. OHA Chairperson A. Frenchy DeSoto said, "I have long advocated projects that reduce the cost of housing for Hawaiians. Nā Pua Ko'olau is but one way that the OHA board is addressing the housing needs of our beneficiaries." A valuable asset for the families is the training provided by the project management team whieh focuses on home-owner responsibilities and construction skills. Combined with low interest loans courtesy of DHHL and the USDA, this selfhelp project will provide the means to obtain the housing needed by many Hawaiians. ■

"I have long advocated projects that reduce the cost of housing for Hawaiians. NāPua Ko'olau is but one way that the OHA board is addressing the housing needs of our beneficiaries."

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■■ * ■ ■ 1 C . W j Dedication: Family members and volunteers work together to build a dream.