A message from Home Planning Hawaii’s Michele L. D'Amico.  Please visit her fundraising page for the Honolulu Habitat for Humanity Wahine Build to make a donation.

Incredible things happen when women build.

I’ve loved residential construction since I was 2 ½ years old—when I watched my father lay the wood flooring in the home he was building for our family. But when I entered the construction industry over 30 years ago, there weren’t many women in the field, and there were only 8 women in my graduating class from architecture school.

Today, the world looks different. It’s wonderful to see more women in construction, and it’s incredible to see what we can accomplish when we work together.

I’ve been a passionate advocate for affordable housing for all Hawaiians since I moved here in 1989. In 1992, I joined the Junior League of Honolulu, just as they were beginning their Christmas in April Oahu program, now known as Rebuilding Together. This program renovates 20 homes in a single day for families in need. I volunteered with Rebuilding Together for 10 years, and we worked hard to help families stay safely and comfortably in their homes.  

So when I was asked to volunteer with the Honolulu Habitat for Humanity Wahine Build project, I was thrilled to be part of a community that provides affordable housing for women. The Wahine Build focuses on bringing women in construction together and empowering them to create strong, diverse communities. Through March of 2022, our volunteers will raise funds, host skills workshops, and participate in a series of build days to build a home for a women-led household in Waimanalo, Hawaii. Additionally, funds raised through the Wahine Build will support building new homes for low-income families on Oahu.

This truly is a project that is close to my heart and reflects my values as both an architect and woman in the construction industry. You can learn more about the Honolulu Habitat for Humanity Wahine Build by visiting their webpage, and  you can help support this project by visiting my fundraising page and making a donation.  The process is fast, easy and secure, and every dollar we raise helps build safe, affordable homes for the hardworking families in our community.

You can also help by sharing my fundraising page with anyone interested in making a donation. Mahalo nui for your generous support!