ELEELE — The blustery weather forced most of the group from the Trinity University Spartans to indoor tasks like painting Friday at the Kauai Habitat for Humanity’s Eleele Iluna neighborhood.
“We’re no strangers to doing this,” said Allan Kotanen, the team leader for the group of two staff and 22 students from Trinity Western University in Canada. “We do this each spring break, and I have been coming to Hawaii since 2002. This is a great opportunity to do God’s work in helping others who need help, and we do this two times a year.”
Some of the volunteers did roofing and flooring on two homes being raised in Eleele Iluna’s Phase II, while others remained inside, painting walls.
“Us local people, we cannot handle the cold,” said Sala Taala, a Kauai Habitat homeowner. “For us, this is layered.”
The comment drew laughter from the crew manning extended rollers to reach the high points of the room.
“We have snow,” said Rachel Buell. “For us, this isn’t cold. It’s hot.”
Kotanen said the tour is not just about building. It’s a sociological lesson.
“The students have to raise their own money to come on the trip,” he said. “And then, when we’re here, we live together, eat together, and work together as a community. This is a real plus — some of the students who are shy and speak less bond together and return as good people.”
He said the trip is a way for the Christian-based college to show and raise awareness of His love.
“We benefit as much from this as the community benefits,” he said.
Kotanen said the interaction between the group is part of the learning process.
“We do a lot to make this a good experience for the students,” he said. “So far, we’ve had more than 750 students experience this since we started. This is my 38th trip to Hawaii. Most of it has been to Oahu, but we’ve been to Kauai about three times.”
Jordan Burgess, a student volunteer, said this was his third trip here.
“Most of the time we do the same work,” he said. “Some imes they make us do foundation work, but for the most part it’s painting.”
Shelby Bennett said this was her first experience on a tropical island.
“This is such a beautiful place, and I’m glad to have the chance to help,” she said.
Kotanen said the conversation between the students, who may have never had a need, and the homeowners, grateful to have a roof over their heads, was encouraging.
“This is a societal lesson,” Kotanen said. “We hope to inspire others to keep coming, working hard and meeting people. The lessons they learn will carry on in whatever path they choose.”
