Five years ago, Jan Ii and Tutamo Chipen — both 38 at the time — were renting a second-story Honolulu apartment on Coolidge Street when fire broke out in the dwelling below. The blaze, which quickly engulfed their home, was the result of a downstairs tenant who had fallen asleep with a lighted cigarette.

The couple, along with their four children, ages 2, 3, 6 and 12, fled the building with the clothes on their backs and nothing more.

"They lost everything in the fire," said Emily Reed, Ii's case worker for the Hawai'i Public Housing Authority's Family Self-Sufficiency Program. "And then they became homeless."

But the family, spurred by Ii's indomitable spirit, would not be defeated.

"Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, this family worked very hard to rebuild their lives," Reed said. "It took a lot for them to overcome everything they've gone through. And they're still recovering."

Slowly, with the help and support of many who cared, the family began to stage a comeback. For several months they lived in a hotel room. Later, they moved into the Palolo Valley Homes project, where they remain.

Ii, who had spent more than two decades as a worker at a fast-food franchise, found steady employment at Good Beginnings Alliance, an organization that advocates on behalf of children.

Chipen secured a good job with an auto care outfit. Together, by maintaining a frugal lifestyle and becoming expert bargain hunters, they earned enough to get by.

"It has taken us five years to finally rebuild our lives," Ii said. "We live a comfortable life, (with) no extra money to go to the movies or to McDonald's. But my children have a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food to eat. We are happy."

Earlier this year, the children, now ages 7 though 17, greeted a fifth child into the household — a cousin from Portland, Ore. The boy, 11, who is the son of Chipen's brother, was welcomed to the fold, and is now a hänai member of the family.

"We don't need expensive things to keep us happy," said Ii, who nevertheless remembers "when I was growing up, Christmas was very big in our hale."

This year, as in the past holiday seasons, there is nothing left over for gift buying.

"They make just enough for rent, food, clothes and bare necessities," Reed said. "They are just making ends meet and any help for Christmas will be greatly appreciated."

Both Ii and Chipen could use and would appreciate a pair of comfortable walking shoes, Reed said. They could also use a gift card for basic household items such as shampoo and toothpaste, she said.

"Jan's older children enjoy playing basketball, volleyball and football," Reed said. "The two younger children could use new rolling backpacks."