DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Dozens of volunteers helped build a playground yesterday for children living at the Paiolu Kaiaulu Housing Facility for homeless in Waianae.
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Homeless kids’ play area built with volunteer effort
Carpenter Robert Moniz spent his day off yesterday helping build a playground for the children at Paiolu Kaiaulu Housing Facility for homeless families on the Waianae Coast.
What is special about this playground is that his own children will get to enjoy it.
Moniz, a husband and father of eight, moved his family into the housing facility when it opened in March.
Before that, the Monizes were living at Maili Beach for a month after rent went up at their old residence in Makakilo and a cousin who had been living with them moved to Las Vegas.
"It was complicated," Robert Moniz said. "We tried (applying) for many places, but they said we had too many children."
Alongside Moniz, 50 volunteers from the Hawaii Republican Party, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and other community representatives showed up with hammers, drills and wrenches in hand to help build the playground.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Dozens of volunteers helped yesterday to construct a playground that was donated for keiki at the Paiolu Kaiaulu Homeless housing facility in Waianae. The facility, which houses approximately 125 adults and 73 children, previously had no place for children to play.
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The facility, which houses about 125 adults and 73 children, did not have a designated place for children to play. Most of the children would just ride their bicycles in the small parking area fronting the facility, Moniz said.
"(My kids) are really happy," he said. "They get bored fast. Now they can play together, and it's easy to find them."
His 5-year-old son, Ryson Moniz, said he's looking forward to riding "the slide" because "it's fun."
Back in January, the Hawaii Republican Party proposed the project to Jeff Stone of Ko Olina Charities, who liked the idea and donated $52,000 for the playground materials. The party purchased the equipment and provided the manpower. Ameron Hawaii donated the concrete and Stanley Tools Hawaii donated the tools.
"It's nice. (The playground) is right in the center," said Steve Bretschneider, vice chairman of communications for the Hawaii Republican Party. "Parents can keep an eye on their kids, and it's away from the road."
Right now, there is no grassy area for the kids to run around and play ball, but project director Cathie Alana said that hopefully there will be one soon.
The last thing that will be added to complete the playground is several inches of padding on the ground around the play area. The playground should be ready for the kids to use next weekend.
