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Changing Hawaii
When Paul Tagliabue took the podium at the Dole Cannery Ballroom stage on Thursday, he wasn't doing so in his capacity as commissioner of the National Football League. He and his wife, Chandler -- although admittedly on Oahu for the Pro Bowl tomorrow at Aloha Stadium -- were wearing their hats as national co-chairpersons for Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit organization formerly known as Christmas in April. Christmas
in AprilChristmas in April? Yes, every fourth month of the year, this low-key but noteworthy organization rehabilitates near-collapsing houses of low-income, disabled and elderly homeowners at no charge to them. In Hawaii, Rebuilding Together has fixed and cleaned up almost 140 homes and nonprofit facilities on this island since 1992, thanks to generous corporate donations of money and employee labor.
Tagliabue recounted the experience of working on one particular house in Maunawili. Volunteers descended on the dilapidated structure that had overgrown, jungle-like foliage for a yard. By the end of the day, the lot featured a sturdier house with a fresh coat of paint, new appliances and a clearing away of the brush and weeds.
Like most homeowners lucky enough to have their abodes picked for the massive-scale service project, the people who lived in the formerly ramshackle spread were overwhelmed with gratitude and close to tears. That's what makes the annual effort so worthwhile, say the Tagliabues.
The search is on for more corporate sponsors on Oahu, who can each adopt a house for a cash donation of $5,000 and by providing 15 to 30 volunteers. Especially valued are skilled tradespeople such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, landscapers and painters, according to its brochure. Materials and supplies are also gratefully accepted.
Not only do the company volunteers revitalize the homes of the needy, but they also develop mutual respect and friendship in the process. It develops great teamwork. You don't have to be NFL commissioner to realize that.
Diane Yukihiro Chang's column runs Monday and Friday.
She can be reached by phone at 525-8607, via e-mail at
dchang@starbulletin.com, or by fax at 523-7863.