Winding down

The days are winding down until Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii and volunteers hit the ground to construct five family homes in 10 days in Kona.

But the community nonprofit still has needs in order to bring the Villages at Lai Opua affordable homes to fruition by Sept. 22, said habitat Executive Director Pat Hurney and Margo Takata, the organization’s spokeswoman.

The biggest need, Takata said, is for skilled workers to assist in the various stages of construction, especially on weekdays, when fewer volunteers are available because of their work schedules. Those with handyman, construction and finishing work skills are the most sought.

“We need at least 10 (skilled workers) per house, ideally,” Takata said, noting especially that workers are needed Sept. 13 and 14 and Sept. 17 through 21. “If we can get skilled workers, it will make the process easier, but we can always use whatever help is available.”

The organization is also seeking donations of water and caffeinated beverages to keep volunteers’ thirsts quenched during the build.

The build kicks off Sept. 12 with a not-open-to-the-public afternoon blessing, followed by actual work commencing at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 13, said Hurney.

An estimated 150 to 200 local volunteers have signed up to participate in various capacities. In addition, at least 71 Blitz Home Builders volunteers traveling from the U.S. mainland and Canada, as well as 12 members of Habitat for Humanity International’s Global Village Team, will take part in the build, located near Kealakehe High School.

The 2012 Blitz Build in Kona is also part of Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii’s celebration of 10 years serving the island’s leeward side, Hurney said.

“It’s just overwhelming how well the community has galvanized behind this project,” he said, noting that in the 12 years he’s worked with nonprofits in West Hawaii, he hasn’t seen such an outpouring of support like what’s come in for the Blitz Build. “The support has been just amazing.”

Glen Forthun, a Blitz Home Builders Planning Committee member based in Arizona, said the national nonprofit has its needs met for the 10-day build. Forthun, like other volunteer builders, is tying up loose ends at home and preparing to board a plane headed for Hawaii Island with the few specialty tools he’ll need.

All Blitz Home Builders members participating have paid their own way, but received some deals from local businesses during their stay, including discounted hotel rooms and entertainment, said Forthun. Blitz Home Builders members will begin arriving this weekend and may stay longer than the build to enjoy the island.

“These are die-hard people,” he said. “It’s a special event — it’s so much fun and you get so much out of helping someone else and making a difference in someone else’s lives.”

The five prepackaged, but modified, homes estimated to cost $150,ooo-plus each are being built in an effort to increase affordable housing opportunities in Kona. All are being constructed on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands parcels available to approved Native Hawaiian beneficiaries on a 99-year $1 annual site lease. Five families have already been approved for the homes.

Previously, habitat has built 14 homes, all of which have been constructed outside urban Kona because of land costs.

Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii has secured 75 percent of the $500,000 needed to build the affordable homes, said Hurney. Still, if unable to reach the half-million dollar goal, the organization can receive up to $400,000 in federal Native American Housing Assistance and Self-determination Act block grants, if needed.

Owning a habitat-built home requires a recipient family earn 70 percent of the area median income and contribute 500 hours or more of “sweat equity” to build their own house or help other families construct homes. Recipients also agree to a 20-year, no-interest mortgage underwritten by Habitat for Humanity International.

To get involved in the Blitz Build or to donate, visit habitatwesthawaii.org or call 331-8010. An application is required. While the organization prefers volunteers sign up before Sept. 12, Takata said helpers can also register during the actual build.

Those interested in the Blitz Home Builders program may visit blitzhomebuilders.org or email info@blitzhomebuilders.org.