Page 5 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - July 21, 2021

Maui Couple Open Their Hearts, Home To Keiki
JULY 21, 2021
HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK 5
Hawaii County Emergency Rental Assistance Program
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WHERE TO APPLY
Instructions. Check if your household earns less than the annual maximum income amount based on the number
of persons in your home. If yes, choose 1 nonprofit partner below to apply for a rent and utility assistance grant. You are encouraged to apply online for faster processing. Applications are available by phone and in-person for those without access to a computer or internet. IMPORTANT: You MUST be a renter to apply. Homeowners are NOT eligible for this program.
Maximum Income Threshold
1 Person
2 Persons
3 Persons
4 Persons
5 Persons
6 Persons
7 Persons
8 Persons
$47,950
$54,800
$61,650
$68,500
$74,000
$79,500
$84,950
$90,450
*Add $5,500 for each additional household member above 8 persons
Visit our website:
www.HawaiiCountyERAP.org
Hawaii First Federal Credit Union
1221 Kilauea Avenue, Suite 150, Hilo, HI 96720 www.hawaiifirstfcu.com
808.933.6600 empower@hawaiifirstfcu.com
HOPE Services Hawaii
357 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720 www.hopeserviceshawaii.org
808.935.3050 ERAP@hopeserviceshawaii.org
Neighborhood Place of Puna
16-105 Opukahaia Street, Keaau, HI 96749 www.neighborhoodplace.org
808-965-5550 ERAP@neighborhoodplace.org
Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island
73-4161 Uluwini Place, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 www.habitathawaiiisland.org/
808.843.0071 rmap@habitathawaiiisland.org
Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council
47 Rainbow Drive, Hilo, HI 96720 www.hceoc.net
808.932.2714 ERAP@hceoc.net
The Salvation Army
219 Ponahawai Street, Hilo, HI 97620 Hawaii.salvationarmy.org
808.935.1277 Hilo.ERAP@usw.salvationarmy.org
FROM PAGE 4
what he seeks to provide for the children in his care.
The Pagays acknowledge that the path they’re on is not without its bumps, but they are grateful to be navigating the road together.
With both Duane and Lyn working full-time — he’s employed at Maui Beach Vacation Club and she is an elementary school teacher at Ka‘ahumanu Hou Christian School — Lyn credits a struc- tured home and schedule for maintaining balance between jobs and family time.
Duane and Lyn Pagay are the parents of four children and 15 foster keiki.
“Yes, fostering is a huge commitment,” Duane admits, adding that finding that sweet spot in parenting is easier be- cause of the rewards and sup- port he receives.
cook,” Lyn says with a laugh. The family makes the most of their time together, enjoy- ing bike rides and playing out- side or just watching movies. Duane says that he’s happy just doing whatever the kids
Duane opines. “I get to be in- volved in a childhood I never had and to give and express love for all of them.”
“I just accept it all as a whole and say, ‘This is my family and IamgoingtodoallthatIcan to make them happy,’” he con- tinues. “I focus on the smiles I will get when I get home. We alldoitasateam;wealldoit together.”
happen to be interested in.
“I love watching them have fun, smiling and enjoying themselves as children,” he
He says that his growth as a person continues through his journey as a foster parent as well. And, he gets to share with the keiki all the affirma- tions he didn’t get during his own childhood.
“I’m very proud of Duane. He is a very supportive, car- ing, and loving husband and father. We both try to do ev- erything together around the house — well except cooking. He is the cook; I don’t really
notes.
The Pagays typically fos-
“Throughout the whole experience, the good stuff I get to tell my kids is that I love them, that they are do- ing an awesome job, and that life wouldn’t be this amazing without them,” he finalizes. “And, I am very proud of them.”
ter three children at a time, and they encourage others to explore opening their homes to children in need of a home.
“You can expect to give love and feel loved from someone you never knew,”
Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest). Answers are on page 7
RATING: BRONZE