Updated at 8:24 a.m., Saturday, March 31, 2007
Native Hawaiians' training center in Kapolei completed
Advertiser Staff
Nanakuli Housing Corp., a Native Hawaiian nonprofit organization, will celebrate the completion of its Kalaeloa training center from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Building 187 at 91-1041 Midway Street in Kapolei, on the grounds of the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station.
The new training center, named Halau A'o O Kalaeloa, is a versatile complex designed for community use. The layout includes:
· A 12,000 square foot training center on five acres of land.
· A 2,000 square foot workshop designated for NHC beneficiaries to use on home repair projects.
The five acres will act also as a secondary warehouse facility for donated building and construction materials. The organization's primary warehouse, a Sand Island facility, houses materials donated by their contractor/developer partners who donated the unused materials.
Kapi'olani Barber, NHC's executive director, said, "This opportunity to expand the much needed services we provide gives the organization, staff and beneficiaries the ability to do more than recognize the problems, but to provide solid solutions that teach and train those who will eventually stand on their own again."
Barber said that the site ultimately will provide programs that "enrich the spirit" as well. Slated to open in the training facility is a workshop on 'ukulele making.
The facility will also house a community kitchen by year's end.
