Hammer and Nail
Winter/Spring 2009, No. 4
Check Out What’s in Store for Habitat
The idea of developing a Habitat
ReStore isn‘t a hard sell. The
format, which entails accepting
donations of new or used home
furnishings and building materi-
als from local hardware stores,
construction companies, and
everyday people and reselling
those items to make more
money to fund Habitat homes,
makes perfect sense. And as a
bonus, tons (literally!) of quality
items are saved from dumps and
landfills every year. Those are
just a few of the reasons why
four out of the seven Habitat
affiliates in Hawaii have ac-
cepted the challenge of running
ReStores and are now reaping
the benefits.
The first ReStore in Hawaii is
over 11 year‘s old. Kauai Habi-
tat for Humanity opened it‘s
store in 1998, and has since ex-
panded on the idea of selling
home furnishings, appliances
and building materials to also
include gently used men‘s,
women‘s and children‘s clothing
and accessories, which accord-
ing to Kaua‘i Habitat Executive Di-
rector Stephen Spears is surpris-
ingly lucrative. The Kauai Habitat
ReStore/Thrift Store occupies a
10,000 square foot building in Ha-
napepe on Kauai‘s west coast.
The Maui Restore, which opened in
2005 has become quite the opera-
tion over the past few years. They
started out in a 2000 square foot
space, and have since more than
doubled in size, by moving into
their current 4,500 square foot
space. They have historically ac-
cepted donations of building mate-
rials and other home improvement
items and have expanded slightly
to except pots, pans, and other us-
able items for the home due to the
great need right now. They don‘t
currently have the space to accept
furniture donations, but hopefully
that will change soon when they
move into their new 8000 square
foot space. If success is measured
by growth, the Maui Habitat Re-
Store is in great shape!
Habitat for Humanity
West Hawaii has a lot
to be proud of – during
its first full year of
business their ReStore
has saved approxi-
mately 500 tons of us-
able material from end-
ing up in landfills. The
4000 square foot store,
which opened up in
September of 2007, is
flourishing, and the
affiliate recently hired
Steve Haney as the
store‘s new manager.
Finding the right space to locate
your ReStore is often a huge road
block for affiliates – especially
here in Hawaii. The folks at Hilo
Habitat decided to make the most
of the space they already had by
converting their 200 square foot
conference room into an area
where they can sell lighting fix-
tures, tiles and other things for
the home, making them the new-
est affiliate to join the ―ReStore
‗ohana.‖ Although it‘s only been
open for about 2 months, Hilo al-
ready considers their latest effort
a great success.
Both Honolulu Habitat and Lee-
ward O‘ahu Habitat are in differ-
ent stages of starting their own
ReStores, and if the successes of
the existing stores are any indica-
tion, the ventures will be well
worth it. To donate, shop, or vol-
unteer on your island, contact
your local affiliate!
West Hawaii ReStore Coordinator
Isobel Donovan
 Hawaii Habitat Board of Dave worked with Amfac/Liberty
House for 23 years, where his pri-
Directors mary responsibility was Director
of Information Services. He also
President worked for Hawaiian Airlines as
Chandler Rowe the Senior Director of Information
Vice president Technology until his retirement in
2000.
Richard Emery
Treasurer Dave and his wife Suzanne re-
David Enersen side in Kaneohe; they have lived
Secretary in Hawaii since 1969 and raised
Rosemary Slabaugh their two children here. They met
Immediate Past President while serving in the Peace Corps
Michael Sessions in Nigeria.
Dave joined the Board because
Steve Bader
Kathi Hasegawa‘s predecessor,
Thad Bond
Peter Van Zile, asked. ―I stay on
Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland the Board,‖ he says, ―because I
Mike Dang
identify with Habitat‘s mission,
Ron Davis and will stay on as long as I am
Ron Federizo able to make a contribution.‖
Kama Hopkins
John Jaskula
Abe Lee
Bob Lindsey
Ritchie Mudd
Peter Savio
Jasmine Tso
Staff
Kathleen Hasegawa, Exec. Director
Mandy Jansen, Operations Manager Jasmine Tso
Jasmine Tso is the Marketing &
Meet Our Promotions Director for Ala Moana
Center, the world‘s largest outdoor
Board center with more than 290 stores
and restaurants. Tso is responsi-
ble for all of the special events,
promotions and marketing initia-
tives at Ala Moana Center, as well ceived a grant from Clark Realty
as the ―guest experience,‖ which
encompasses customer service,
Centerstage entertainment and
visual aesthetics. She also serves Steve Haney as their new ReStore
as the Center‘s spokesperson with manager. Welcome Steve! The
bi-weekly appearances on KHON‘s Kona Board of Realtors will host a
morning news, Trend Watch,
highlighting fashion and shopping West Hawaii on May 30th.
Dave Enersen trends in the Islands.
accomplish its mission in Ha-
waii. In her free time, you can
find Jasmine surfing, sleeping or
shopping.
Affiliate News
West Hawaii
The Kona
affiliate
has been
working
hard to
get their
name out
into the
commu-
nity with
all kinds
of friend-
raisers
and Pua Akini-Soares, watching
awareness her new home being built
-raisers.
In April they promoted their Re-
Store as a sustainable business at
the Business Expo and the Earth
and Ocean Fair. They also par-
ticipated in a Family Fun Day,
and hosted their 2nd Annual Ko-
kua ‗Ohana Award Ceremony and
Fundraiser, which was sponsored
by Hawaii Care and Cleaning and
honored the Hilton Waikoloa Vil-
lage as a donor who has provided
outstanding support to the affili-
ate.
Kona Habitat also recently re-
to help with the Akini-Soares
build, which is almost complete!
The affiliate recently welcome
rummage sale to benefit Habitat

Dave Enersen has been an at-

large member of the HHFH
Board since 2003, where he
continues to serve as Treasurer.
Issue 4
After having spearheaded Gen- Hilo
eral Growth Hawaii‘s regional ef-
It has been a wonderful time of
fort in 2007 across six malls to
growth for Hale Aloha O Hilo
raise funds and awareness for
HFH, Jasmine felt that serving on
the Board of Directors would be a Page 2
natural next step in assisting HFH
 Habitat for Humanity, as they
have increased board and com-
mittee membership significantly
and are ramping up events and
fundraising. Their new events
committee, who Director Christine
Leonard-Osterwalder describes as
―strong and committed,‖ includes
two partner families, and is work-
ing on a Walk-a-Thon, as well as
a celebration for the affiliate‘s
20th Anniversary in November.
The two month old ReStore has
been doing well, and will hopefully
provide enough funding for some
extra staff to support the affiliate‘s
growth shortly.
Hilo Habitat has also been se-
lected as one of five organizations
to help rehabilitate a local public
housing project. Hilo Habitat re-
cently hosted Hawaii Habitat‘s
quarterly affiliate committee meet-
ing in April, so representatives
from each island were able to see
some of the great work that they
are doing, including the housing
project and the affiliate‘s ReStore,
firsthand.
Leeward O’ahu
Volunteers Eugene Gold and Jeff Sampaga
help construct the Kaheaku home in Waianae
on “Ability Awarenes” day
Leeward Habitat has gotten some
great new exposure lately! PSA‘s
advertising the affiliate played on
OC 16 during Living Local with
the Baraquios, on Monday nights
during the Spring season. The
spots were underwritten by Mar-
riott Resorts .
The affiliate also welcomed
their fourth group of volunteers
Issue 4
from Trinity Western University of
British Columbia. The group com-
pleted various tasks on site, and
was very productive and an im-
portant part of Leeward‘s build
team for the week of their visit.
Leeward Habitat is close to fin-
ishing their first Honsador pack-
age home built with the Solomon
family. So far the affiliate is happy
with the results. Their assessment
of the Honsador packages? Very
volunteer-friendly. The home dedi-
cation is planned for May 30th.
The affiliate is excited to wel-
come their next two partner fami-
lies —The Opiana and Kalanui
‘ohanas.
At the beginning of May, one of
Leeward Habitat‘s build sites
hosted ―Ability Awareness,‖ and
other community members with
disabilities. The workers helped
with the construction of one the
affiliate‘s Waianae homes. Ability
Awareness is an organization that
encourages people with disabili-
ties and health conditions to help
build homes to show the commu-
nity their strength and capability
as volunteers.
Molokai
Molokai volunteers and staff at their first
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
In February, the Molokai affiliate
held its first Volunteer Apprecia-
tion Breakfast. A breakfast buffet
was enjoyed by all participants at
the Kulana O‘iwi halau area. Mo-
lokai Habitat staff Jean Han and
Emillia Noordhoek doubled as
chefs for the event, and volunteers
received t-shirts.
In March the affiliate cele-
brated the completion of the Bur-
rows home. In May, they partici-
pated in Women Build Week,
sponsored by Lowes. This was no
light work—eighteen women
turned out, pink hammers in
hand, to construct a deck, put up
and paint trim, do roof work and
enjoy a wonderful lunch.
Honolulu
Alex and Lorilei Gallarde, Jean Lilley, and
Mark Saito at the Gallarde home dedication
ceremony
Honolulu Habitat held it‘s An-
nual Volunteer Recognition and
Board Installation event in late
April. The networking-style event
featured door prizes, pupus, good
conversation and honored several
volunteers integral to HHH‘s suc-
cess.
For two Saturdays in May the
affiliate also participated in the
Lowes Women Build program.
Women of all ages sanded, tex-
tured walls, primed and helped
get the Silva house closer to com-
pletion.
The affiliate will be recruiting
for 2 new VISTA positions to start
in August, in the areas of Re-
source Development and Com-
munity Outreach.
In February, the affiliate held
a land blessing ceremony, for the
Ha‘o family of Papakolea, and a
home dedication ceremony in
Waimanalo for the Gallarde fam-
ily.
Page 3
 Affiliate News, Continued
Kaua’i
In early February, Kaua‘i Habitat
achieved an unbelievable mile-
stone by dedicating their 100th
home. Their commitment to con-
tinue leading homebuilding ef-
forts for the island‘s low income
residents is clear in their pledge
to build their next hundred
homes in just seven years. With
all of these ambitious goals, the
affiliate needed a bit more help in
the office. Janice Benn is their
new VISTA Volunteer Coordina-
tor, Benn has already been hard
at work in the community, build-
ing relationships with churches,
the Salvation Army, and the Boys
and Girls Club. She also under-
took the enormous challenge of
organizing a group of 44 student
volunteers from Tennessee. A
new Resource Development
VISTA, Avery Welkin, just joined
the affiliate in May as well.
The affiliate is also starting a
new family support program to
assist homeowners who are hav-
ing trouble making their pay-
ments since the downturn of the
economy. Former Administrative
The Melle family, Gianfranco, Valerie and
sons Simone and Gianni, receives the keys to
Kauai Habitat’s 100th home from Executive
Director Stephen Spears in Ele’ele on Feb.
5th.
Issue 4
Assistant Valerie Melle will help
make that happen by stepping
into her new role as Family Sup-
port specialist.
Kaua‘i Habitat has also been
reaping the benefits of Global
Village Builds, having netted at
least $20,000 from visiting teams
in the last few months. The affili-
ate partnered with Plantation
Gardens Restaurant and Bar for
a dinner/fundraiser on April 25.
Maui
We Need Build-a-
Maui Habitat for Humanity has
lots of exciting fundraisers and Thon Sponsors!
events coming up as well! Some
Hawaii Habitat‘s Sixth Annual
of them include:
Build-a-Thon (BAT) event will
May 25th - Panda Express take place on August 15th. On
Fundraiser. 20% of your pur- that date, affiliates across the
chase at Panda Express in Kihei state will take part in building
will be donated to Maui Habitat projects with lots of volunteers
(Must have flyer - contact Maui and publicity to raise awareness
Habitat). about Habitat for Humanity and
what we‘re doing in Hawaii. We
Monopoly Tournament (Date
need statewide sponsors for the
TBD) - Try your hand at Monop-
event! If you would like to serve
oly to benefit HFHM.
on a committee to help secure
Aug. 1 - Hammer Time. Fun BAT sponsors, know of an indi-
night of music and dancing em- vidual or organization who might
ceed by Augie T and centering want to serve as a sponsor, or
around a male pageant to crown would like to make a donation or
Mr. Hammer 2009. Contestants serve as a sponsor yourself,
wanted! please contact Mandy at the Ha-
Maui Habitat also recently waii Habitat office at 808-538-
benefitted from t-shirt sales at 7676, or mandy@hawaiihabitat.org.
Sponsorships/donations at all
the annual ―Maui Onion Festi-
val,‖ and their ReStore regularly levels are accepted and appreci-
hosts a booth at ated.
the First Friday
market street fair.
Along with all “I see life as both a gift and
of the exciting a responsibility. My respon-
events, the affili- sibility is to use what God
ate has been busy
finishing up their
has given me to help his
12-home Waiehou people in need.”
Kou IV subdivi- Millard Fuller, Founder of
sion project, with Habitat for Humanity
almost half of the
homes completed 1935—2009
or near comple- Quote from habitat.org
tion.
page 4
 1164 Bishop St., #510
Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone & Fax: 808- 538-7676

E-mail: mandy@hawaiihabitat.org

Edited by:
Mandy Jansen

GREENING YOUR OFFICE TIP:

Bring your own mini towel to work to
dry off after you wash your hands. It
saves on the
countless paper
towels used, and
you always have
a napkin with
you!

A Note from the Director: Habitat Begins with Compassion

Every morning driving to work I
pass a woman who lives on the
sidewalk and cares for cats and
rabbits and other living things in
cages she lines against a building
wall or places on the grass. One
can only imagine that most of her
funds go to feed and care for them
with little thought for herself. A
few feet further down the road
homeless Micronesian families are
eating breakfast in the park. Just
a few feet further on men sleep in-
dividually or in small groups under
tarps tied to wire fences or under
the branches of a large tree. Mean-
while, other homeless people file
out of a large overnight shelter to
look for places to spend the day.
It sometimes seems that home-
less people are everywhere I turn.
Putting myself in their shoes, I
think about how awful, how fright-
ening and how humiliating it must
be to know that suddenly you are
embarking upon a new stage in life
– one in which you have no home.
One in which other people will see
you as a vagrant or as a negligent
parent who cannot care for your
children, a part of a growing cast of
people referred to as ―the home-
less.‖
Compassion is, I believe, how we
naturally feel when we see some-
one who has lost essentially every-
thing. The Dalai Lama says, ―To
experience genuine compassion is
to develop a feeling of closeness to
others combined with a sense of
responsibility for their welfare.‖
Jesus instructed us to ―do unto
others as you would have them do
unto you.‖
Habitat mixes compassion with
practicality as it assists people who
are in great housing need to build
a home for themselves and their
families. World-wide Habitat has
built homes with more than
366,400 families. In Hawaii, our
seven affiliates have built homes
with more than 250 families and
we are in the process of expanding
our work to house ever increasing
numbers of people in need. There
is another part of our mission
which is to eliminate substandard
housing and homelessness by
making the need for housing a
matter of conscience for all. I be-
lieve that the way we can achieve
that goal begins with compassion.
Kathleen Hasegawa

Issue 4 page 5