Join a team of hard working people who want to combine service with adventure. You will be certain to make new friends, enjoy the beautiful scenery and Hawaiian culture and forever change the lives of a family. No particular construction expertise is needed, just a positive attitude and an openness to teamwork and learning new skills. 

We’ll be offering some cool weekend R&R trips during the build, such as a guided Napali Coast tour (weather permitting) and I’m also planning to offer an optional post-build trip to Waimea Canyon for team members who want to have some vacation and explore this beautiful part of Kauai after the build. 

About Kauai
Kauai is a rural tropical island, the northern most of the Hawaiian Island chain, with a population of approximately 56,000. The island is small, at only 25 miles wide and 33 miles long. Kauai’s main economic industries are agriculture and tourism. Kauai is an ethnically diverse community with Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Black, Caucasian, Samoan and Tahitian residents.

With the influx of affluent tourist and vacation homes and rentals, however, the cost of living and housing in Kauai has increased dramatically. There is a consistent shortage of housing for local residents and an even more dramatic shortage of affordable housing for low-income families. The average single-family home price is $477,500 and the median income for a family of four is $56,100. Most working-class families cannot afford to own their own homes.

The island also suffers a large homeless problem, with many families living on the beach, in their cars, in carports or with relatives. Working-class families also cannot find homes to rent, and purchasing a home is not possible.

About Kauai Habitat for Humanity
Kauai Habitat for Humanity's mission is to eliminate substandard housing, and in the process, improve communities. Kauai Habitat was formed in 1993 and has built more than 100 homes. It has launched the Ele'ele Project, which will include an additional 100 homes.

Learn more at http://www.kauaihabitat.org.

Types of construction for volunteers
A variety of new construction awaits volunteers. The houses are wood frame structures commonly found in the United States.

Standard itinerary
Sample itinerary – subject to modification

Sunday, January 12: Team arrives at Lihue Airport and is welcomed by team leader.
Monday, January 13: Affiliate orientation and team building.
Tuesday-Saturday, January 14-18: Build days.
Sunday and Monday, January 19-20: Off days for cultural and recreation activities.
Tuesday and Wednesday, January 21-22: Build day; Mahalo dinner on Wednesday.
Thursday, January 23: Team departure day.

Program cost
US$1,870
(For more details about what is included in this cost, visit Global Village program cost.)

Increase your impact: Take the GV Challenge
Habitat for Humanity is accelerating its work to end poverty housing, and we need Global Village teams to help. Set a goal and fundraise to make your impact last longer than the days you’re in the field. Your support builds more homes, creates resource centers, educates families, and advances our projects to build sustainable communities. We’ll even provide tools to make fundraising easy. Take the GV Challenge – join us in sharing our story and building a better world. 

Team leader 
Linda Sultan has participated in Habitat builds throughout the U.S. as well as Global village trips to Argentina, Chile, Cambodia and Nepal and has led GV teams to Botswana, Romania and twice to Viet Nam. Linda previously worked for habitat for Humanity International for four years as director of Women Build and director of operations for the U.S. area office. She is a former Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda and has lived/worked in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. She finds GV trips so satisfying because we’re able to truly connect with the local people in such a meaningful way.

Please feel free to contact Linda directly at lsultan23@gmail.com to learn more about the trip, or apply via the online application.