Women Inspired: Bank of Hawai‘i volunteers join Wahine Build initiative

On Friday, May 6, members of Bank of Hawai‘i’s Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG), Women Inspired, gathered in Waimanalo to help construct a two-bedroom home with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity’s Wahine Build – an initiative to educate, empower and mobilize women in support of affordable housing.

The crew of all-women volunteers, aptly named the Women Inspired Build Team, represented various departments and branches of Bank of Hawai‘i. Many were first-time Habitat volunteers with no construction experience.

Under the direction of a professional site supervisor, the Women Inspired Build Team learned to safely operate power tools, cut lumber, frame doorways, install trim and seal windows.

Kristine Stebbins, Bank of Hawai‘i executive vice president & chief experience officer, was one of the ten BOH Women Inspired Build Team volunteers on site.

“Working with an all-woman team honestly put me in a state of awe,” said Stebbins, “We just got it done. There was no fear – we took on the harder jobs. Our build lead, Mike, was patient with us while we learned a new skill, then off we went. The teamwork was amazing.”

Through hands-on training and education, Wahine Build empowers women to build self-reliance and contribute to the mission of Habitat.

Home is where the heart is. It’s where we sleep, eat and share all of life’s moments that truly matter.

“Home is where the heart is. It’s where we sleep, eat and share all of life’s moments that truly matter,” added Stebbins, “Building this house so that a family can build their ‘home’ is a very special opportunity. Habitat for Humanity is a very special organization and one that is critical to our community to help support families gain stable housing so that our whole community can flourish.”

A legacy of giving

Since 1897, Bank of Hawai‘i has been committed to strengthening communities through philanthropic support, hands-on volunteerism, sponsorships, board participation and employee giving. Back in November, volunteers from Bank of Hawaii’s Military Employee Resource Group (ERG) joined our second annual Veterans Build in Waimanalo. This year, Bank of Hawai‘i will invest $400,000 to address community needs as part of its yearlong 125th anniversary celebration.