HANAPEPE — Maluhia Road, commonly known as The Tree Tunnel, was flooded with rainwater runoff from the adjoining pasture, Tuesday afternoon.
“I drove through that,” said Diane Stewart of Iowa, the Global Village team leader. “Water was gushing on both sides of the rental car. I loved it!”
Stewart said the Global Village team, featuring four members from Iowa, had the day off before starting work at the Kauai Habitat for Humanity Hanapepe baseyard.
“We went to Waimea Canyon, Polihale, Glass Beach, and enjoyed some of the trails,” Stewart said. “It’s below zero in Iowa, and we just made time to enjoy some of the island.”
The Global Village volunteer team of 12 will be working at the Kauai Habitat on various projects.
“We’re breaking up the team starting Thursday,” said Caitlin Pounds, the Kauai Habitat volunteer coordinator. “Today, they’re completing the last of the walls for houses that will come up in Increment 2 of the Eleele Iluna neighborhood. Starting tomorrow, part of the group will be doing finish work on Eleele Iluna houses, and part of the group will be building fences at the Waimea lot.”
Pounds said this is the first time they’re sending volunteers to the Waimea 6.5 acres, which was purchased in November, and sits adjacent to the West Kauai Technology and Visitors Center.
“Waimea is going to be awhile,” said Bob McNamara, the Kauai Habitat project superintendent. “We’re going to lay out houses in Increment 2 by the end of this week, and this Global Village crew will be starting to dig foundations next week before they finish on Wednesday.”
Stewart said this is her first time on a build to Kauai.
“I’ve been on six builds for Habitat for Humanity,” Stewart said. “I didn’t even know about Kauai until I bumped into a person who worked here in Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve been going to El Salvador, because there were these three girls whom I wanted to see. But the Zika virus got too scary, and now, I found a new place to discover.”
Stewart said the Global Village will be working through Wednesday.
“There are the resident Iowa people,” Stewart said. “We’re staying on four extra days to discover the island. I worked hard to make sure this was an enjoyable trip for the group. The ocean is gorgeous, and we’ll probably take advantage of some of the trails. Where were you when we needed you to tell us where all the good places are to eat?”
