July 1 marked the first official day of Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, following a merge between Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii and Hale Aloha O Hilo Habitat for Humanity.
The two affiliates have been working on the merge plan since they decided that to serve more families on Hawaii Island, the best option was to form a united partnership that would allow them to combine resources to build more homes for more families.
“We are extremely thrilled to merge forces with Hale Aloha O Hilo Habitat and unite the island under one Habitat for Humanity mission,” said Executive Director Patrick Hurney. “Our goal is to build strength, stability, and self-reliance and this will allow us to serve more families in need and end the cycle of poverty by providing homeownership opportunities across the island. Our vision is for Hawai’i Island to be a place where everyone has a decent home to live.”
Together, the two affiliates have built 46 homes all across the island, and served 85 families. Habitat Hawai’i Island will now take on the September Blitz Build, building 10 homes in 10 days in the Kealakehe neighborhood of La’i’Opua.