Makiki YWCA to be upgraded
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
The YWCA of O'ahu will close its Fernhurst Women's Residence Dec. 31 for a $2.2 million renovation of the facility, the first major upgrade since it was built 50 years ago.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
The approximately 70 women and children who are provided safe, affordable housing at the shelter will have to find other accommodations during the construction project, but none of them will be left homeless, according to Cheryl Ka'uhane, president of the YWCA of O'ahu.
YWCA is closing its Fernhurst Women's Residence for renovation.
Ka'uhane said Fernhurst residents are either finding permanent housing or have found rooms through other state or federal housing agencies.
"Our managing director is working with all the relocations," Ka'uhane said. "Everybody is accounted for in terms of finding a new home."
At one time Fernhurst provided housing for Hawai'i newcomers, students and career women. The facility now focuses on victims of domestic violence, providing temporary housing to women and their families and offering support services and job training.
In 2001, Fernhurst provided housing to more than 800 women and children. Thirteen partnering agencies provide subsidies for those in emergency situations.
"Many of our residents do not fit into other housing programs like domestic abuse shelters or low income housing, nor are they able to afford more costly hotels," said Patricia Barros, housing program operations manager for the YWCA. "The YWCA provides a unique service to the community by providing safe and affordable temporary housing to women from all walks of life, some of whom fall through the cracks of other social service agencies."
Fernhurst, at 1566 Wilder Ave. in Makiki, was built in 1952.
Work will include bringing the first floor into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upgrading the plumbing and electrical systems and giving the facility a general facelift.
The project is expected to take a year to complete.
The Fernhurst work is part of a $10 million capital improvement drive launched in 1998 to renovate the three YWCA facilities on O'ahu. Work at the Kokokahi site is completed and work at the downtown YWCA is under way, Ka'uhane said, turning the focus to Fernhurst.
Half of the Fernhurst property is being sold to pay for the project, Ka'uhane said. The Hawai'i Housing Development Corp. plans to develop that portion of the property into an eight-story affordable-housing condominium called Punahou Vista.
Many residents in the area have voiced opposition to the project based on difficulties with parking, traffic and density, as well as the loss of protected trees.
Punahou Vista recently received City Council approval and the developers are seeking building permits.
"The common area, not the residential side, is going to be demolished next month," Ka'uhane said. "That portion is about 25,000 square feet, about half the property, and is being sold. Those monies from that sale are going into the renovation along with a grant from the (Harry & Jeanette) Weinberg Foundation. That is how we are paying for it."
Ka'uhane said the renovation will reduce capacity to about 70 people, but more rooms will be designated for women with more than one child. After work is completed late next year, the facility will be returned to transitional housing for women and children.
