GOVERNOR LINGLE APPLAUDS PSI WORLD PROJECT – KA HALE MALULANI

For Immediate Release:  February 22, 2006

HONOLULU  –  Governor Linda Lingle applauded the efforts of Ka Hale Malulani for stepping forward to work with Hawai`i’s state housing agency, the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawai`i (HCDCH), to repair and renovate state public housing units.   Ka Hale Malulani is   a volunteer housing project sponsored by PSI World, a non-profit organization, founded in 1973, “committed to making the world a better place.”

“ Ka Hale Malulani  has shown tremendous initiative, leadership and compassion.  They heard our call to action, offered their services, and now vacant housing units that had been in disrepair are being filled with families,” said Governor Lingle.  “As a community, we need to come together to achieve significant progress in finding solutions to the state’s affordable housing shortage and helping our homeless population.   Ka Hale Malulani is   a shining example of what can be accomplished when the community partners with government.”

Ka Hale Malulani , meaning “Household of Heavenly Protection,” kicked-off on January 2, 2006, with a group of over 50 volunteers.  They began work at Kamehameha Homes and Ka`ahumanu Homes in Kalihi.  Volunteers stripped floors, painted, repaired drywall, installed a toilet and performed general scrubbing and damage repair.  While Ka Hale Malulani  provided the labor, HCDCH provided the materials and supplies.  Within four days, the team had completed renovations to nearly seven units.  Their goal is to triple the number of units completed by May 2006.

“We heard Governor Lingle’s call to action and took very seriously Hawai`i’s housing crisis and homelessness problem, and therefore decided to do something about it,” said Cindy Namahoe, volunteer project chair.  “Every unit that we restore means one more home for a family.  This is about getting people off the streets and into clean, safe, affordable housing.”

Namahoe contacted the Governor’s office after hearing news reports regarding the housing crisis in Hawai`i, and the vacant housing units in need of repair. 

Ka Hale Malulani  is currently looking for additional volunteers, donations of money or in-kind building materials, and food for volunteers.  Their next “work weekend” will be February 25 & 26.

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For more information, contact:

Margaret Zimmer         
PSI World Representative         
Phone: 223-3819         

Cindy Namahoe
Volunteer Project Chair
Phone: 722-5550

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043