Website: www.habitathawaiiisland.org 

Habitat for Humanity Hawai’i Island has been involved in the relief and recovery efforts in Puna since the 2018 Kilauea eruption began, when our organization partnered with other local nonprofits including HOPE Services Hawai’i and the American Red Cross to erect 30 temporary micro homes for evacuees.

Since the eruption ceased we have been involved in the long-term recovery efforts of offering critical home repairs and the construction of affordable homes for families affected by the eruption. We are currently partnering with two households who lost their previous homes in the eruption which are slated for completion by the end of the year. Constance (pictured) was renting a home in Leilani prior to the eruption, which was lost to lava flow.

Through our program, she will contribute sweat equity, gain homeowner education, and pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat is currently seeking applicants for an open offering of five new homes in Nanawale Estates. Applicants must demonstrate need, ability to pay, and a willingness to partner. Our efforts in Puna, and elsewhere on Big Island, are supported by government grants, private grants, individual donations (which can be made at any of our three Hawai’i Island ReStores), and local volunteers! Local donations stay local and benefit families right here on Big Island. Please visit our website or email info@habitathawaiiisland.org for more information or to apply for assistance. 

Puna Collaboration

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, HOPE Services, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Neighborhood Place of Puna, HPM Building Supply, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities Hawai’i, Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island, and Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters came together to assist 2018 Kilauea eruption survivors’ recovery effort. Agencies, businesses, individuals and teams came together to work with a family to make their new home accessible by building a ramp, deck, doorway and extending the roof. The family had lost their “forever” home in Pahoa during the 2018 Kilauea eruption and were able to purchase a new home in Kea‘au. But this home needed work to meet the unique needs of a disabled and medically fragile household member and a senior primary caregiver. About one year after the 2018 Kilauea eruption the Puna District of Hawai’i Island transitioned from disaster response to disaster recovery. Permanent solutions to meet long-term recovery are ongoing and require collaboration, no single entity can do it all. While construction of this ramp project began on March 16, 2019, the coordination between agencies is still needed to line up money, materials and manpower. Local agencies are teaming up to address unmet needs of 2018 Kilauea eruption and earthquake survivors.