Martin "Kelii" Pestana wants so much for his 8-year-old son to have a good life — one that is stable and happy.

It was because of his son, Cyrus, that the single dad sought help to end a drug addiction a few years ago. And it's his son who continues to be the focus in his effort to build a better life.

"I'm working on getting my life in order so his can be stable," said Pestana, 34.

"He's such a good kid. He's such a happy little kid. ... He's just so precious and loving, trusting and caring."

Pestana, who now works as a lifeguard instructor and water safety instructor, has come a long way from where he was several years ago.

He left Cyrus' mother — whom he said was an alcoholic — on the Mainland when the boy was a toddler. He moved back to Hawai'i with his son and was raising him on his own while working as a heavy-equipment service mechanic and operator.

But he became heavily involved in drugs, and things started to unravel.

"The pressure of having to raise him alone over here was hard, and I started to get selfish, like I deserve to do this and that," he said. "It turned out bad. It turned out really bad. ... I blew it."

He lost his job, started dealing drugs, and eventually was on the verge of losing his home because he couldn't pay the rent.

"I would be sitting there in my apartment (while) my son would be at school and I would look around and the house was empty and dirty ... and I said, 'This is no way for my son to live,' " he said. "I felt bad because I'm his only parent here, and I should be doing better than this; this is not right."

He asked his parents to take care of Cyrus, entered drug treatment, and has been sober for 2 1/2 years.

Last Christmas, Pestana decided it was time to take Cyrus back and be a responsible father. But he ran into difficulties finding a permanent home. The two would stay with family and friends but sometimes also slept in the car.

Pestana obtained temporary housing for himself and his son several months ago. He got his lifeguard certificate and also became certified to teach. He's considering going back to school or pursuing a career to be a full-time beach lifeguard.

Pestana said there's a "huge list" of people who have helped him get his life back together and that he's grateful for the home he and Cyrus have.

He knows he can't stay there indefinitely and is worried about finding another home that he can afford. But he's taking the steps to get there, starting a savings account and applying for public housing.

His wish is for Cyrus to have a good Christmas this year. It's the first Christmas they are spending together in their own home since he went into recovery.

"It's important because I want him to start having a stable life, and the holidays, it's all about family and tradition," he said. "I want him to have some family traditions and to feel good about Christmas with his family, even if it's only with me. I want him to have good family values, and I think that starts with family traditions and just a stable home life."

Tops on Pestana's wish list is a good vacuum cleaner to replace one that recently broke. Cyrus has numerous allergies, and Pestana would like to be able to reduce the dust in the house.

The family would also appreciate curtains — right now they're just using sheets over the windows — an area rug and a queen-size bed frame for a bed that is now on the floor.

Cyrus has been asking for an electric scooter or a bike so he can ride around with his friends, or an Xbox 360. And if possible, Pestana would appreciate a 24 Hour Fitness membership to help him stay in shape for his job.

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