A Generational Task: The Keliinui Family Journey

Honolulu Habitat is proud to introduce the Keliinui Ohana. Three generations of women who have taken on the challenge of reviving their family home by partnering with the organization. The demolition and rebuilding of their home begins this month. 

Image above from left to right features Abraleen Keliinui (daughter, mother), Candace Keliinui (mother, grandmother, great grandmother), Natasha (granddaughter)

Located in Waimanalo Homestead, Abraham and Candace Keliinui, Sr. purchased their first home from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands back in 1965. They raised their six children in this home and created over 50 years of life-long memories. Although Abraham Keliinui, Sr. is no longer with us, his wife enjoys spending time with her mo’opuna of which she has fourteen adult grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Front exterior of Keliinui Residence 

Abraham Keliinui, Sr. loved living in Waimanalo and being close to the beach. He retired from the Honolulu Fire Department in 1991. He was the builder and fixer upper of the family home in his younger days. He passed 10 years ago and since then the home has fallen into disrepair. Dilapidated walls and ceilings due to age have made the house less of a home in recent years.  

Images above feature Portrait of Abraham & Candace Keliinui and Candace’s Bedroom

As Candace Keliinui reflects on beautiful memories shared in different rooms of her home; she looks forward to starting a new chapter in her life with her family. A new house that will be safe and secure for her and her family to create new memories once again. 

Images above feature Living Room and Candace Keliinui

Her daughter, Abraleen works for the Salvation Army as the Hawaii Pacific Divisional Pathway of Hope Case Manager. She helps families who are ready to make active changes in their life in order to end their inter-generational poverty. In recent years of seeing her family home deteriorate, she began looking inward at the financial issues her own family was dealing with. Although a hard topic to address, she and her family confronted and resolved their financial problems to take the necessary steps towards rebuilding their home. 

“There was life lessons learned during the struggles we faced throughout the years. We thank God for all He has done to help us get to this point and beyond. We all have a reason and purpose in our lifetime, and this is but one of those purposes that I needed to fulfill, not just for me, mom and my daughter but for future generations of my ohana that are here and who will come in the future. Kulia I ka nu’u,” says Abraleen.  

As we dive into the first quarter of this year, the Keliinui groundbreaking and ground blessing will mark the start of a fresh chapter for the Keliinui’ s and 94th Home Build for Honolulu Habitat. Soon enough, the family will return to cooking meals together, hosting celebrations and making new happy memories under a strong, solid roof. The affiliate has plans to kick-off four more new builds following the Keliinui residence. We encourage volunteers and community members to get involved by volunteering on the build or donate.  

The work of our affiliate has been made possible this year through the support of organizations like Department of Hawaiian Homelands, NAHASDA, The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, The Atherton Foundation, American Savings Bank  and businesses like Sherpa 6, Ward Village, Jayar Construction, Alliant, Bruce Matson Company, Gateside, Tantulus Studio, Hawaii Gas, A-1 A-lectrician, Maryl Group Construction Inc., Amentum, Kelikai Inc, Earth Engineers.

All photos courtesy of Osvaldo Olmos