Lately, Alfred Gomes and Keolani Ahuna, along with their 8-month-old son, Alfred Junior, have lived at the Maili Land Transitional Housing Program in Wai'anae. But before arriving at Maili Land, the couple spent the better part of a year at an area emergency homeless shelter.

Gomes, 48, has remained employed the whole time. Over the months, though, his work hours have been slashed because of the harsh economy and the resulting business slowdown. Meanwhile, in part because of the state's high unemployment rate, he has had no luck finding a better-paying job.

Ahuna, 27, expects to receive her high school diploma soon and hopes to be contributing to the family's income, thanks to Maili Land's College Basic Academic Subjects Examination program.

But until that happens, and Gomes succeeds in landing a job that pays more, the couple will continue to fall behind and struggle to catch up on their debts.

"These days times are hard," said Gomes, who, like Ahuna, never gives up hope. The couple consider themselves especially blessed to have a healthy, happy baby boy.

"This family works together and struggles together to stay on the path to move forward," said Maili Land case worker Hasel M. Keala. "Alfred goes to work every day, Monday through Saturday, and Keolani attends programs to obtain her high school diploma. On Sunday, they catch up as a family together."

Because the couple has no money for extras, they hope for some outside assistance for an educational toy or video for their son on this, the family's first Christmas holiday season together.

"My family would appreciate and enjoy any type of help," said Gomes.