2023 Wahine Build PBN Special Edition

MADE POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT FROM

Honolulu Habitat for Humanity’s Wahine Build educates and empowers women to flex their skills or try something new by building on a Habitat construction site.

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Honolulu Habitat for Humanity was founded in 198. Families and individuals in need of a hand-up partner with Habitat to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homebuyers help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.

Honolulu Habitat for Humanity’s Wahine Build is an annual initiative to mobilize, educate and empower women to build and advocate for affordable housing on Oahu. Uniting women from all walks of life, it offers hands-on learning and a welcoming environment to help women succeed in changing their communities.

Wahine Build is a catalyst for achievement for female homeowners and volunteers, and a celebration of the vital role women play in building strong, diverse communities.

Through the collaborative efforts and enthusiasm of our community, Wahine Build engaged more than 250 women who dedicated their time, passion, and talent to construct a Habitat home in Waimanalo. Over 1400 volunteer hours were recorded and nearly $200,000 was raised for Honolulu Habitat.

For more information, to make a donation or to get involved visit wahinebuild.org

The Women Behind Wahine Build

Wahine Build is driven by a diverse committee of dedicated leaders who come together with the shared goal of promoting and empowering women to build stronger communities.

Operating under Habitat’s umbrella and working closely with professional staff, the committee oversees the planning, organizing and execution of Wahine Build’s initiatives.

“I cannot emphasize enough the vital role played by these women,” said TJ Joseph, Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, Chief Executive Officer, “Their tireless dedication, creative contributions and meticulous planning have led this program to unimaginable success, and their unwavering commitment to our mission allows us to make a tangible impact on the lives of so many.”

Wahine Build Committee

Pamela Nitta, Nordic PCL – Chairwoman

Alissa Bautista, Rosendin Electric – Vice Chairwoman

Kaliah Nainoa – Recording Secretary

Chris Etzkorn - Treasurer

Members

Holly Beard

Liz Bills

Melissa Bruhl

Heather de la Garza

Leslie Foster

Kuuleialoha Gaisoa

Sharon Hanamoto

Melissa Humphrey

Jennifer Jout

Erica Jul

Sarah Kleinschmidt

Erica Li

Lani Nakajo

Karen Nicolas

Jessica Ogasawara, Tammie Oka

Kaelyn Okuhata

Alicia Palomino

Mary Pigao

Jana Sasaki

Sonya Szostkowski

Summer Vaimaona

Jessica Voytik

Jodi Watanabe

Rebecca Wright

A House for Aunty Pua

Pua Akiyoshi, born and raised on Oahu, has always dreamed of owning her own home.

“When I was a kid, I didn’t have plans to get married,” says Pua, “My plan was to get a house. I mean, that’s all I wanted to do, get a house.”

For Akiyoshi and her late husband, Wesley, homeownership felt out of reach. For decades, they rented a small apartment in town and dreamed of the day they would have a place to call their own. As the years passed and rent on their unit steadily increased, they began to feel the pinch.

“It’s way more than what I was paying when I first started,” she said, “Hawai‘i is my home. I don’t want to move to the mainland. I don’t want to be homeless.”

In 2019, Akiyoshi’s prayers were answered when she was selected by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) for a lot in Waimanalo and partnered with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity to build her future home.

With the help of volunteers, Habitat builds homes up to 40% below market. These savings are

passed on to Habitat homeowners who pay an affordable mortgage.

After several pandemic-related delays, construction on Akiyoshi’s home began in May 2023. Over three months, more than 200 women volunteers rallied to raise the walls of her home.

“I was really blessed to be qualified and to have this help with my home. My husband passed away in 2019, and for me that was the end of the world. He’s with me, just not physically,” she said.

“But with this, I have something

to look forward to. This is my home. This is where I was born. My mom has a lot of family here. So, I’m coming home, and I count my blessings every day.”

A Home Dedication Ceremony will be held this fall to celebrate the completion of her home.

Raising Roofs & Raising Glasses

Wahine Build kicked off on Friday, February 17 at Café Julia with a cocktail-style soiree that united event partners, volunteers and women leaders in support of Honolulu Habitat.

This year’s celebration sponsors included Island Pacific Distributors, Nordic PCL Construction, The Zelinsky Company, Unlimited Construction, Maryl Group Construction, Otis Elevator Company, Pace Supply, The Jones Family Foundation, Wasa Electrical Services Inc., and WE Painting.

Hosted by Lauren Teruya, Miss Hawaii 2022, the Wahine Build launch party drew more than 200 guests to celebrate the vital role women play in building strong, diverse communities.

“When you think about the construction industry and how male-dominated it is, and then you see women coming forward as the engineers, as the builders, as the designers, as the architects, as the women hands-on building homes… how can you not be so excited to be a part of that?” said Lauren, who will join 200 local women in building a Habitat home this spring.

The evening’s guest of honor was Pua Akiyoshi, Habitat’s 2023 Wahine Build homeowner.

“Your generous contributions of time, energy and financial support are making my dream of homeownership a reality,” she said, “I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for this and how grateful I am to be here with you tonight. From this moment, you are a permanent part of my Habitat story. I look forward to building with many of you this spring to raise the walls of my future Habitat home.”

Throughout the evening, guests delighted in signature cocktails, hosted by Republic National Distributing Company and live entertainment by local artists Tiara Gomes and Kaleikaumaka.

The opportunity to celebrate the launch of this initiative is really powerful,” said Summer Vaimaona, chairwoman of the 2023 launch party, “To see the support of our community and all of these powerful women come together to help raise money and build homes for our people is amazing.”

View the Launch Party recap by scanning this QR code.

ROOF-RAISER SPONSORS

GLASS-RAISER SPONSORS

Honolulu Habitat for Humanity’s Wahine Build Youth Education workshop series is an inspiring and empowering initiative aimed at educating and engaging young girls to make a difference with their own two hands.

Hosted in partnership with Malama Honua Charter School and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Hawaii Chapter, the 3-part workshop series provided a unique opportunity for students to learn valuable construction skills, foster teamwork, and develop a sense of selfconfidence and accomplishment.

Build Youth Education

Led by the Wahine Build Education committee, workshops were designed to challenge gender stereotypes and encourage girls and young women to explore opportunities in traditionally malepopulated fields.

Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, students learned about various aspects of construction and community service.

Students constructed Free Little Libraries, chicken nesting boxes and hutches that were donated back to the community.

WAHINE DRIVEN

ATA’s women empower others, and are vital in building our business and community.

“We are a proud sponsor for this year’s Wahine Build in partnership with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity. This partnership aligns with the goals of our Wahine Allyship Group, who are excited to participate in this special event. Along with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, we recognize the important role women play in our families, teams, and organizations as we strive toward building strong and diverse communities throughout our state.”

Peter Hirano Executive Vice President Servco Pacific

“Hensel Phelps applauds Honolulu Habitat for Humanity for their leadership in continuing to provide opportunities and support for women in construction through Wahine Build. We are a proud partner of this exciting initiative and look forward to participating in the betterment of our community.”

Thomas J. Diersbock

Vice President

Hensel Phelps

Sponsor Testimonies

“Nordic PCL Construction, Inc. is pleased to be a proud sponsor of Honolulu Habitat for Humanity’s “Wahine Build” event to help coalesce women from all areas of Oahu into a community of caring through the action of building affordable housing. Wahine Build is a demonstration of charitable goodwill by empowered women who express their concern of the lack of affordable housing through personal action. Many hands make light work but it is the hearts of Wahine Build participants that can make a home for a family in need.”

Glen Kaneshige President Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.

“RNDC Hawaii is proud to support and partner with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, and are excited to support, encourage, and reinforce the Wahine Build Project. We are dedicated to the empowerment, education, advancement, and recruitment of women to help build a better future.”

Hugh Duncan Executive Vice President Republic National Distributing Company

“Woodruff Sawyer is proud to be a sponsor of Habitat for Humanity’s Wahine Build. We are excited to lend support to an organization that is committed to empowering women to facilitate change and produce solutions in the community where we live and work.”

Chuck Shoemaker Senior Vice President, Principal Woodruff Sawyer & Co.

“We’re excited to support Wahine Build as it makes a difference in the community while promoting diversity throughout the building industry.”

Doug Johnstone President Ward Village

“Education about the possibilities available to women in the building industry are key to helping more women enter the field and succeed. Our industry and community win when we diversify talent.”

Aaron Yamasaki Division Manager Swinerton Hawaii

Mahalo to our Sponsors and Partners

FOUNDATION

Albert C. Kobayashi

Hensel Phelps

Layton Construction

Servco

Swinerton

Ward Village

CORNERSTONE

A-1 A-lectrician, Inc.

Hawaiian Dredging

HPM Building Supply

Nordic PCL Construction

RTI Cable

Woodruff Sawyer

ROOF-RAISER

Island Pacific Distributors

Nordic PCL Construction

The Zelinsky Company

Unlimited Construction

GLASS-RAISER

Jones Family Foundation

Maryl Group Construction

Otis Elevator Company

Pace Supply

Wasa Electrical Services, Inc.

WE Painting

BLUEPRINT

Earth Engineers

Rider Levett Bucknall

WSP USA

HARD HAT

AHL

Allana Buick & Bers

Coffman Engineers

Curtainwall Design Consulting

Dorvin D Leis

Ferraro Choi

Haas Insulation, Inc

Hawaii Homes & Estates LLC

JLL

Koga Engineering & Construction, Inc.

McClone Construction

Monica Ciletti Realtor

Rosendin Electric

IN-KIND HARD HAT Five Birdies

IN-KIND NAWIC

Pacific Business News RNDC