Today, they're just trying to survive in the aftermath of the tragic Nov. 7 fire at 4411 Likini St. which claimed the life of 4-year-old John Rex Ceasar and left them homeless.

Apprehension is high as a nearly $5,000 mortgage payment is due tomorrow, there's still no place to call home and funeral plans for John Rex are still pending while the clan tries understand what their homeowner's insurance covers.

Kangichy Welle, tied to the family from his mother's side, has assumed the system-navigation work and spent nearly seven days just to determine that Allstate Insurance is the carrier, since all documents were lost in the fire.

Gaining authorization for release of private information as the family's appointed point man has been the biggest stumbling block for Welle.

"There's a lot of red tape, and it's not like we're out there trying rob somebody," said Welle.

"We're grateful to the (Hawai'i chapter of the American Red Cross), Harbor Shores Apartment Hotel and Allstate for their help, but what we can do depends on the insurance money," Welle added. "All we can do is play as we go along, because there are a lot of unknown factors."

Welle continued, "Right now, I have a dead body on one hand, homeless on the other hand, and we have to come up with some kind of plan. The No. 1 thing is to get housing. I can deal with all the rest."

The Red Cross provided shelter for seven days — four more days than usual — and Harbor Shores management added an extra day today.

The family consists of 10 adults and 15 children, said Welle, but three visitors from the Big Island who were en route to Chuuk were staying with them at the Salt Lake house.

"There are brothers, sisters and cousins but to us, it's all one," Welle said. "We emphasize living together because it's the only way (the families) can afford it.