Bank of Hawaii Volunteers Raise the Walls of a Veteran’s Home
On Friday, November 12th volunteers from Bank of Hawaii’s Military Employee Resource Group (ERG) joined Honolulu Habitat for Humanity at the second annual Veterans Build in Waimanalo.
The group, led by Military ERG chairs Fred Alvarado and Eddie Quan, raised their hammers, hands and hearts to help construct a home for a local veteran family.
Lloyd Young, this year’s Veterans Build homeowner, proudly served four years in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed on the USS Radford – one of America’s most decorated destroyers – from 1965 to 1969.
Lloyd and his wife of 53 years, Enid, had been on the wait list for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands since 1971. Finally, in 2019, they were awarded a parcel of land and partnered with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity to build a home of their own and a legacy for their family. Lloyd and Enid will share the home with their grandchildren, Maddie and Logan.
Volunteers arrived on the build site early Friday morning wearing bright smiles and ready to build.
Under the direction of a professional site supervisor, the Bankoh Blue Crew assisted with framing and constructing a storage shed. They even had the opportunity to raise a few walls – a milestone moment in the construction process.
“Bank of Hawaii volunteers were able to lend our time, hearts, hands and energy to give back and share our gratitude for a local veteran and help a family achieve homeownership which is so elusive in Hawaii, and in particular for kamaaina and Native Hawaiians,” said Momi Akimseu, Bank of Hawaii Foundation President, who joined volunteers on site.
“It was an honor to be able to mahalo and kokua a local veteran who has served our country.”
-Momi Akimseu, Bank of Hawaii Foundation President
In addition to volunteer support, the Bank of Hawaii Foundation made a $3,000 donation to Honolulu Habitat for Humanity to help increase equitable access to homeownership in Hawaii and to fund future home build projects.
Bank of Hawaii is committed to strengthening the communities of Hawaii through volunteerism, sponsorships, charitable support, financial education and employee giving. Year in and year out, Bank of Hawaii employees give their hearts and hands to support hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the state.
Over the next 4 months, more than 300 community volunteers will help build the Young family’s 3-bedroom house in Waimanalo. It will be Honolulu Habitat’s 89th home on Oahu and is expected to be compete in early 2022.
“Affordable housing is the foundation on which families and communities thrive,” said Bri Littlefield, Honolulu Habitat for Humanity Director of Philanthropy, “Our community partners, like Bank of Hawaii, share that vision and help move our life-changing work forward.”
Veterans Build
Veterans Build is Habitat for Humanity’s national initiative to engage veterans, current service members and their families in Habitat’s mission and work. The program gives past and present members of the U.S. Armed Forces opportunities to volunteer on build projects, attend home buyer education classes and become homeowners.
Locally, Honolulu Habitat’s Veterans Build is a 7-day special event to raise funds and awareness for affordable housing, while honoring those who have served our country. More than $14,000 has been raised through Veterans Build this year. Donations will be accepted through the end of November. Support Veterans Build.
Honolulu Habitat for Humanity
Honolulu Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income families on Oahu. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat brings people together to build homes, community and hope. Founded in 1988, we have helped more than 450 people obtain a safer place to sleep at night.
