‘ELE‘ELE — “They’re on the move,” said Milani Pimental, the executive director of the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity, as trucks laden with household goods dotted the landscape of five new homes that their owners would be receiving the keys to.
“They’re ready to move in.”
The new homebuyers — the families of Dexter Corpuz, Keoki Pantorilla, Bradley Balaan, Robby Silva, Jr., and Michelle Skaer — celebrated their new homes, and the moving-in process at the ‘Ele‘ele Iluna neighborhood with the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity, family, county officials, and the neighborhood as the sun began its descent.
“We have three more to go,” said Pimental.
The completion of the five new homes brings the total number of homes completed in the ‘Ele‘ele Iluna project to 104 homes, with the remaining three homes demonstrating various stages of construction as the homeowners received their house-warming gifts and keys from the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity.
Shadowed by the neighborhood children frolicking in the ground work of the neighboring county’s Lima Ola housing project, the key passing is an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments by each of the homebuyer and their families.
“I love key passing days,” said Kaua‘i Habitat Volunteer Program Manager Nicole Pacanas who distributed the seat equity hours certificates to each of the new homebuyer families. “I know exactly how much this day means to these homebuyers.”
Support for the just-completed homes was provided by USDA affordable mortgage loans, the USDA Rural Development Section 502 Direct Loans to Homebuyers, and a USDA Rural Development Section 523 Technical Assistance grant.
“We’re next,” said Kaua‘i County Council member Bernard Carvalho Jr., who was mayor during the planning phases of the Lima Ola Workforce Housing Development. “Look at that. The children are already beginning to enjoy the project and it’s just the ground work.”
The project is planned to consist of approximately 550 affordable housing units made up of both single-family and multi-family homes that will be both for rent, and for sale.
Infrastructure work for Lima Ola started in November, 2020 with Phase I, planned for 38 single-family homes and 111 multi-family units, scheduled to start in 2022, according to the county’s website.
Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity has already started preparations for the Waimea Huakai project that will consist of 32 affordable single-family homes to be built adjacent to a 35-unit affordable rental property that has been completed, and sold out.
Pimental, herself a homeowner through a self-build project, said the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity has provided 228 homes since the program started in Anahola with a massive five homes in five days movement.
“I’ve got my own set of tools,” Pimental said. “Now, I’m planning a storage space to put the tools.”
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
