Newsmaker
Monday, February 23, 1998
Name: Ken Armstrong
Age: 40
Education: Officer Candidate School
Occupation: Interim executive director, Honolulu Habitat for Humanity
Hobbies: Writing
When Ken Armstrong directed Coast Guard relief operations after Hurricane Iniki, he saw the devastation wrought on families who lost their homes. Building up Habitat
The 1992 hurricane kicked off the arrival of Habitat for Humanity, a program in which volunteers build homes for hard-working families who can't afford them by conventional means. Kauai now has more than 60 Habitat homes.
Iniki also set in motion Armstrong's interest in Habitat after he saw families resettled in homes.
"I saw what happened to families without homes, and I saw what Habitat was doing," Armstrong said.
He got involved with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, becoming a board member and, recently, interim executive director.
Armstrong takes charge at a strategic moment for the Honolulu organization. "We're in a real growth mode, going from a mom-and-pop operation to a medium-sized one."
Although the Honolulu Habitat has operated here for 10 years, the number of homes has remained small. Up until 1997 an average of two homes a year were built. But last year that jumped to four, this year 10 will be built, and 1999 will see 20. From that time on, Oahu families will benefit from 25 homes a year.
The freeing up of more Hawaii home lands is mainly responsible for the increase. When land becomes available through other organizations, Habitat can team up with families to build the houses.
"Freeing up land quickly makes us more of a player," Armstrong said.
He comes with a resume made to play the new game well. Armstrong, 40, arrived in Hawaii six years ago as the Coast Guard public affairs officer for the Western Pacific. In 1994 he left the service.
He's served on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations, was the media director of the Aloha State Games, has worked in real estate and dealt with the state Legislature.
"They needed somebody who could hit the deck running," said Armstrong, who lives with his wife in Kailua.
One of his challenges has been name recognition for the organization. Too often Habitat for Humanity is confused with Habilitat, a nonprofit drug rehabilitation center.
"When you're only building a couple of homes a year, there's not a lot of room for name recognition," Armstrong said.
But he believes that will change. This year volunteers ranging from Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirano to the homeless have already broken ground on seven homes.
Habitat for Humanity was founded 23 years ago by Millard Fuller. Fuller, a millionaire before he turned 30, was unhappy about the direction of his life. He gave away his money and started Habitat.
Habitat pays for the construction materials and organizes volunteers to build homes, then sells them back to families for cost of materials, only with no interest. Families must also invest "sweat equity" by helping build their own home and others.
Habitat spokesman former President Jimmy Carter, Fuller's friend, has become synonymous with the organization, building recognition around the world.
By Susan Kreifels, Star-Bulletin
