A Habitat for Humanity house is being built in Captain Cook for a family that has spent the last five years dealing with obstacles.
In 2009, David Esperanza, a long-time Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources volunteer and hunter education program instructor, suffered a debilitating stroke in which he lost a great deal of mobility and now uses a wheelchair to get around. David and his wife, Sandy, were left with mounting medical bills and relying on family for help. Despite this tragedy, they remain optimistic and determined to take care of the unexpected health care costs with money saved for retirement and what they earned through landscaping and caretaking jobs.
However, the burden became even greater in 2012, when an early morning fire destroyed the approximately 20-by-30-foot, two-story garage on Kahauloa Road David and Sandy called home. When Hawaii County Fire Department personnel arrived, they found the wooden structure engulfed in flames and collapsed, as well as the family and their neighbors trying their best to keep the blaze at bay. Two neighbors, one of whom was a retired firefighter, also got David safely out of the burning structure, which was not attached to the main house. Inspectors later revealed a faulty wire caused the fire.
If it wasn’t for that fire and the kindness of others, Sandy said the family would not be building a Habitat home. Their neighbors were the ones who looked into Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii and encouraged the family to apply. They stressed it was an opportunity to pay forward the generosity, aloha and support David and Sandy have selflessly given to the community throughout the years. As helpers, Sandy admitted, it was initially difficult for them to ask for assistance. “For us, they were real live angels,” she added.
For months, Sandy and David have shared the main house, a modest one-bedroom cottage owned by the couple’s daughter, Tyslynn Esperanza, who is a nurse’s assistant and performs hula at hotels. It’s been cramped quarters with Tyslynn, her boyfriend Hopoate Ahonima-Blanco and their children Malakai and Layla. It’s also a much smaller home that’s not compliant to the parameters of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As a result, David is forced to spend most of his time upstairs or use a makeshift lift, which requires being lowered by another family member, to get downstairs.
According to its website, Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that “seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope.” It is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; advocating for fair and just housing policies; and providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.
Habitat homeownership is not a giveaway program, but a partnership in which future homeowners and their families are involved in all aspects of the process — something that convinced the Esperanza family to participate. Sandy said they especially liked how former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have give a week of their time helping Habitat improve and build homes each year since 1984. They also appreciate how Habitat and the Peace Corps have a partnership to work jointly to construct quality, affordable houses worldwide.
Homeowners are selected on the basis of need, income and credit level, along with their willingness to partner with Habitat by contributing “sweat equity” — the hours of labor homeowners dedicate to building or repairing their home or others, as well as the time spent investing in their own self-improvement.
For the Esperanza family, 2013 was a major point in life. The hospital where David received treatment forgave a large portion of the bills. The family was also approved for a new Habitat home and were told it would be one of three homes sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, meaning the majority of the costs would be covered. Because this is an ADA-compliant home, the costs are higher, and in the end, it will likely cost at least $135,000, said Patrick Hurney, Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii executive director.
All Habitat homes are sold to families on a no-profit basis. Homeowners make a 1 percent down payment to start the process and then are responsible for making no-interest mortgage payments over a 20-year period. These payments equal about 21 percent of the homeowners’ monthly income, typically less than $500, Hurney said.
What impressed Hurney most about the Esperanza family was “the amazing story of what they have endured and their resilience, strength and ever-present positive attitude.” He added, “This has been a labor of love and they deserve all of it.”
Sandy said a groundbreaking was held in April and actual construction began around Labor Day. The goal, according to Hurney, is to complete the house by December so the family can move in by Christmas.
Habitat staff and numerous volunteers have worked alongside the Esperanza family in building their one-story, four-bedroom, two-bathroom home. “This is more than a new house; it’s a dream house,” Sandy said.
Key to this home build have been the Global Village Teams, one of which arrived this week and is associated with Thrivent Financial. Habitat offers a myriad of volunteer vacations, called Global Village trips, that allow people an opportunity to help others achieve the dream of housing. Such trips celebrate the spirit of volunteerism. For nine consecutive years, Thrivent Financial has partnered with Habitat and announced it planned to fund the construction and rehabilitation of 126 Habitat homes in 35 states this year through a $7.8 million contribution.
“We are so very grateful to all who have lent a hand and heart,” Sandy said. “With everyone who comes, I tell them to do their best because our home is their home and I mean it. I really feel like we’re all family with this house, and it’s so cool to have so many different people for many different places here, sharing their skills, energy and joy with us.”
Volunteers, partnerships and donations are still needed for this project and other Habitat efforts. To get involved, call 331-8010 or email info@habitatwesthawaii.org.
