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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, December 20, 2001

Advertiser Christmas Fund
Couple with three young children seek house to rent, clothes for kids

Recent donations
 •  Previous stories

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Twenty-year-old "A.K." is 25 years younger than her husband "C.K." Despite their age difference, they've bonded well and have strengthened each other's commitment to stay clean and sober.

They have been drug-free for more than three years to the benefit of their three children, ages 3, 1 and 4 months.

C.K. has a full-time job and is earning about $1,200 a month. They receive $443 in food-stamp assistance. C.K.'s paycheck covers the $520 rent for their one-bedroom apartment in Makiki and the utility bills.

How to make a donation
 •  Checks made payable to The Advertiser Christmas Fund should be mailed to
    Helping Hands Hawai'i
    P.O. Box 19155
    Honolulu, HI 96817
 •  Donations may also be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch.
 •  Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway near Pu'uhale Street. For details, call 536-7234.
"We're rebuilding our lives and our kids are going to stay in school and not do what we did," said A.K., who was adopted by an aunt when she was 6 months old. At age 13, she ran away from home and, at 15, she was working in an adult nightclub.

When she gave birth to her youngest son, a Pap smear detected cancer in her cervix. "The status is they think they got it all but are not sure if it will grow back," she said.

A.K. and C.K. were approved for a federal housing subsidy, which would give them between $1,247 and $1,390 a month in rent assistance. Their 60-day window to find a new home is up on Jan. 22. A.K. would like to find a three-bedroom home with an enclosed yard between Kalihi and Kaimuki.

"We promise to maintain the upkeep of the home and yard," she said. "We've been calling around but everything is $1,600 and up. We can't afford that with Section 8."

A.K. would like clothing for her children. "My 1-year-old daughter has been wearing hand-me-downs, which is fine because used clothes are still good," A.K. said. "But I'd just like to dress her" in something new and nice.

• • •

In memory of J.T. Oshima 25
In memory of Robert Comeaux 25
In memory of David Garliepp and Billy Gibson Garliepp 25
In loving memory of Grandmother Alfreda Miller 35
In memory of Bonnie Stone 50
In memory of Mildred S.Y. Chang 50
In memory of Kam Hon Chang 50
In memory of Aunty Dear 50
In loving memory of Bruce Edward Grimm 100
In loving memory of Remington Suzuki 100
In memory of "Aunt" 100
In memory of Waipa Nishimura 100
Harmony Bentosino 5
Joanne Winchester 20
Cora H. Miyagawa 25
Harry H. Kuwaye 25
Enid G. Pittman 25
Sumako K. Murakami 25
Joan M. Oyama 25
Constance E. McQuillan 25
Nancy N. Pond 25
Kay K. Takaezu 25
Bradley Kam 25
Pat Lafleur 25
Kakaako Boxing Club 25
Toejam 25
George Esias 25
Elizabeth C. Helms 25
The Sunshine Group 30
Richard J. Vicente 35
Elizabeth L. Mello 40
Miriam M. Higashi 50
Darlene E. Weingand 50
Jane S. Imamura 50
Jeanette and Phil Sakai 50
Nicole Lee 50
John H. Lodge 50
Kenneth M. Ogami 50
Chong T. Jewell 50
Sarah S. Kim 50
Jo Ann Hu 50
Ronald Nishihara 50
Shari N. Lillie 50
H. Thomas Kay, Jr. 50
David H. Lee 50
Teresa Ysseldyke-All 50
Jack and Maria Randall 50
John, Adam, and Luke 100
Tadashi Kitaoka 100
Joseph Lukela 100
Shirley M. Liu 100
Thomas R. Hirata 100
Mae S. Sperry 100
Christine and Andrew Ferretti 100
Bill and Mary Ireton 100
Lillian Y. Weinberg 100
The Wizards of 4-F at Epiphany School 100
Toni Judith Cherubini 200
Joyce Uyehara 200
Peter H.Y. Hsi 200
Hattie and Bob 200
Madeline and Audrey Boyle 210
Maj. Gen. James M. Dubik and Sharon L. Basso 400
Kamehameha Schools Ka Mo'i 506.25
Anonymous 5
Anonymous 20
Anonymous 20
Anonymous 25
Anonymous 25
Anonymous 25
Anonymous 25
Anonymous 25
Anonymous 50
Anonymous 50
Anonymous 100
Anonymous 100
Anonymous 100
Anonymous 100
Anonymous 100
Anonymous 200

Daily Total 5,876.25
Previous Total 76,454.31

Cumulative Total $82,330.56

• • •

Previous stories

 • Wednesday, Dec. 19: Diabetic needs help with medication costs
• Tuesday, Dec. 18: King-size bed tops couple's wish list
 • Monday, Dec. 17: Disabled man seeks way to beat heat
 • Sunday, Dec. 16: Ex-con beachboy raising daughter
 • Saturday, Dec. 15: Crowded studio houses teen mom, relatives
 • Friday, Dec. 14: New bed is priority for family of four
 • Thursday, Dec. 13: Mother of three wants job to keep family from being homeless again
 • Wednesday, Dec. 12: Electric fan, microwave will help
 • Tuesday, Dec. 11: Vacuum sought for home of ailing child
 • Monday, Dec. 10: Household with seven children needs new refrigerator
 • Sunday, Dec. 9: Family lives in shed, seeks clothing
 • Saturday, Dec. 8: Children need bedroom furniture
 • Friday, Dec. 7: Stroke patient needs friend to get to therapy
 • Thursday, Dec. 6: Shriners patient needs shoes, transportation to appointments
 • Wednesday, Dec. 5: Clothing for sons welcome
 • Tuesday, Dec. 4: Ex-addict, abused wife reclaims life
 • Monday, Dec. 3: Disabled man seeks toy for grandson
 • Sunday, Dec. 2: Ailing son left family buried in bills
 • Saturday, Dec. 1: Woman says seventh child is chance to be good parent
 • Friday, Nov. 30: With its breadwinner laid off, family requests help for first time
 • Thursday, Nov. 29: Pacific immigrants struggle to stay here
 • Wednesday, Nov. 28: Couple forgo gifts, except for two keiki's
 • Tuesday, Nov. 27: Child's grave needs headstone
 • Monday, Nov. 26: Security officer, six children have to eat on floor
 • Sunday, Nov. $25: Holiday assistance badly needed this year