06/30, Pahoa, HI. Photo Gallery courtesy of Honolulu Star Advertiser
The Sacred Heart Shelter, comprises of 20 housing units, a central pavilion, two 8×8 offices, two restrooms, shower facilities for men, women and an ADA compliant facility. The project began on May 30 in response to the destruction of homes by the Kilauea eruption. It was blessed today in a ceremony attended by (l-r) Mayor Harry Kim, State Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, County Councilmember Eileen O’Hara, Governor David Ige, and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, among many others.
Rev. Piilani Ka’awaloa offers the opening pule to begin the blessing ceremony.
Mayor Harry Kim addresses the gathering at the Sacred Heart Shelter.
Gov. David Ige addresses the gathering.
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard addresses the gathering.
The are the 20 housing units that were blessed today.
Gov. David Ige shakes hands with Terence Salazar, of Goodfellow Brothers, Inc. in front of housing unit “Hope 18” before the start of the blessing ceremony.
Gov. David Ige chats with Gilbert Aquinaldo, owner of Big Island Electrical Service and Pacific Rim Construction, with Brigadier General Kenneth S. Hara, Deputy Adjutant, Hawaii National Guard, left, and Brigadier General Ryan T. Okahara, Chief of Staff and Commander, Hawaii Air National Guard, second from left.
Fr. Paul Li, East Hawaii Vicar for the Catholic Church, Pastor of St. Theresa in Mountain View and Pastor of Holy Rosary in Keaau, officiated in the blessing of the Sacred Heart Shelter, including those involved, those in attendance and all the buildings of the shelter complex, here in front of Hope 13.
Brandee Menino, CEO of Hope Services Hawaii, Bronson Haunga of Haunga General Contracting and Gilbert Aguinaldo of Big Island Electrical Service and Pacific Rim Construction, chat with State Rep. Joy San Buenaventura in front of one of twenty housing units at the newly blessed Sacred Heart Shelter.