Quick Hit: Hawaii’s Housing Problem

Photo courtesy of HFHI

Tony Kawaguchi has posted a fantastic article that summarizes Hawaii’s housing problem, specifically around the Waianae Coast.  The article is definitely worth checking out: http://own.dangshibolan.cn/added/19876

 

U.S. Foreclosure Rates (September and October 2009)

Fascinating and saddening representations of US foreclosure activity of Fall 2009.

July-September 2009:

Thanks to usfst.com for the link!

Check out NPR’s site for an interactive map that displays foreclosure rates by county here.

100% Wind-Powered Island

Thanks to HFHI for the great picture!

Check out this amazing article about Fox Island, off the coast of Maine.

Today is the official kick-off of the Fox Islands Wind Project.  The co-op raised funds to afford three 1.5 megawatt turbines that will supply the entire island’s power. According to cleantechnica.com,

“The community owned coop is betting that wind will deliver them cheaper electricity than the $.30 a kwh they pay now.  Because all the islanders’ electricity comes 12 miles from the mainland in an underground cable, energy losses raise their electricity prices.”

Here at Hawaii Habitat, our Green Building Associate is always looking into innovative ways to implement sustainable practices in our Habitat homes.  Although small changes in one or two of your neighbor’s houses may not seem like much, taken together, small steps can go a long way in caring for our planet.

The article can be found here.

Homelessness Awareness Week is On Now!

This Friday, November 20th completes Homelessness Awareness Week in Honolulu.  Come celebrate and congratulate all of the awesome individuals who took part in this year’s Walk the Talk.  At 4pm there will be a gathering at Aala Park, followed by a one-mile walk to join PIC’s Candlelight vigil at 5pm at the State Capitol.

See you all there!

Thank You, Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery!

We want to extend a great big thank you to Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery for the donation of 1,500 ferns to our affiliates for new homeowners.  These ferns can be used to help homeowners start their landscaping needs on their new homes.

Thanks for making a difference!

 

Homeless Service Utilization Report: Hawaii 2009

The Center on the Family at University of Hawai’i-Manoa and the Homeless Programs Branch of Hawai’i Public Housing Authority have recently come out with the Homeless Service Utilization Report: Hawai’i 2009.  (Thanks to Hawaii.edu)

This report contains current demographic characteristics of individuals and households who have accessed homeless support services within the past year.

This report includes a fascinating look into current homeless rates in Hawaii, and includes information regarding emergency and transitional shelter services as well as services provided to those living in atypical housing, (on the beach, in a park, or out of their car.)

A selection of the report’s findings are as follows:

• More males than females accessed homeless services
• Children ages 17 years and younger comprised 34% of the individuals receiving Shelter Program services and 10% of those receiving Outreach Program services
• 23% of people served by the Shelter Program are those who are identified as “long term homeless” (those that have been continuously homeless for at least one year or had 4 or more episodes of homelessness in the past 3 years)
• Children make up 23% of the long term homeless population
• The number of Shelter Program clients has grown significantly in recent years: from 5,535 individuals in 2005 to 7,501 individuals in 2009, which represents a 36% increase in clients served.

According to author Dr. Sarah Yuan, the report was developed “to provide easy access to important statistics on the homeless, especially for those who need the data to improve policies, programs, and services tot he homeless.”

You can access the complete report by going to the Center on the Family website here.

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day!

Habitat for Humanity is teaming up with HandsOn Network to celebrate the good things people do for their communities through the “Give A Day. Get A Disney Day.” program.

In 2010, Disney wants to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities and celebrate their good works by giving each of them one day admission to a theme park at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort, FREE.  Habitat for Humanity will be one of the organizations providing eligible volunteer opportunities for the program.

Starting January 1, 2010, guests can go to www.disneyparks.com to search for volunteer opportunities made available through HandsOn Network and sign up for a day of volunteer service.  As the nation’s largest volunteer network, HandsOn Network has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country, powerful national partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies that need their help.  Many of the opportunities will be projects that entire families can participate in together.

To learn more, just visit www.disneyparks.com.

Must pre-register and sign up for eligible volunteer opportunity at disneyparks.com.  Ticket quantities for this program are limited.  Must be at least age 6 to participate.  Other terms and conditions apply.  For details, see disneyparks.com.

Hilo ReStore Grand Opening!

On Saturday, November 14th, Hale Aloha O Hilo Habitat for Humanity will be celebrating 20 glorious years by having a ReStore GRAND OPENING! The 1600 square foot warehouse is at 700 Manono Street, one block mauka of Big Island Candies.  The ReStore offers new, leftover, and gently used building materials, appliances, furniture, home goods, and plants, and all proceeds are used toward building affordable homes in East Hawaii. All items are sold at 50-80% off retail.

From Hilo Habitat:    ”The grand opening, from 9-1, will include music, a ceremonial lei cutting, an appearance by actor, martial artist, and environmentalist Jason Scott Lee, as well as a representative from Mayor Billy Kenoi’s office. Lee was interested in participating because he wants to support the recycling and landfill waste diversion that the ReStore promotes each day. There will also be free hot dogs and drinks.
Former president Stacy Hargrove, who died unexpectedly while in office, will also be honored with a display for vintage, restored or unique items.
Grand opening attendees are encouraged to bring new, leftover and gently used donations to the ReStore during the grand opening. Volunteers and staff will be on hand in a special receiving area to accept donations and provide tax-deductible receipts. Extra volunteers will also be on hand for attendees who wish to shop for bargains.”

 

To find out more about specific items and how you can donate, go here.

To find out how you can help Hilo Habitat with its grand opening, go here.

Hawaii Habitat would like to wish everyone at Hilo Habitat loads of luck, we know your ReStore will be a huge success!

 

And It Comes to a Close…

Yesterday’s Pacific Building Trade Expo was a huge success!

We all had a fabulous time organizing the panel, gathering information and building representations of case studies for our booth, and all of the hard work definitely paid off!

Our panelists for Goals for a Greener Future did a fabulous job at conveying the sustainability efforts of several Hawaii affiliates.  Our executive director, Kathi Hasegawa, and our green building associate, Liz Bowen, kicked off the panel wonderfully by introducing the audience to Habitat’s mission and vision.  Maui Habitat’s Marty McMahon kept the positive, uplifting energy all while promoting the sustainability efforts of Maui Habitat’s e-cycling program.  Emillia Noordhoek of Molokai Habitat sparked many people’s interest as she detailed Molokai’s upcoming bamboo house.  Lastly, Susan Hughes from Leeward Habitat spoke beautifully as she conveyed the deep sense  of gratitude and appreciation from Leeward Habitat to all of the organizations that have helped Leeward’s brand new restore raise close to $20,000 since its opening on Oct 3rd.

Hawaii Habitat is truly thankful for the wonderful opportunity to present at the Pacific Building Trade Expo, and we want to extend a big thanks to AIA and Reid Mizue, from kya design group, without him, this all would not have been possible.

Friends of Hawaii Habitat:

We would like to invite you to come support Habitat by attending our presentation and speaker panel this Wednesday November 4th at 3:30 PM at the Hawaii Convention Center.  The session is entitled Habitat for Humanity: Goals for a Greener Future, and is part of the Pacific Building Trade Expo sponsored by Honblue/ AIA.

The conference is FREE and the community is invited to attend.  This is a great networking opportunity for Habitat as 2000 people are expected to attend.  Come early for FREE pupus and come by our exhibit in the tradeshow!