Extra Information

Typically, on domestic builds, we prepare our own meals. Emillia has done a great job having local organizations like Coffees of Hawaii and Kuma Organic Farms donate fruits and coffees for our breakfast. Local volunteers will be providing lunches on site for the team, and there are several nights where will be dining out. Pretty wonderful!

When we get to the island, I will need a few people to volunteer to set up breakfast in the morning and on the evenings, a few people to volunteer in prepping dinner.
These will be simple, easy meals as I've said. We will have cereal, granola, fresh fruit, coffee, tea & juices in the morning and for dinner, Kuma Farms is providing some delicious fresh pesto & pasta and fixings for salad, so it looks like we have most of the work cut out for us.

There is a bonus for these options. My mother, Sally, will be volunteering with the office team and will be on hand to help with meals.

We will also have a laundry run on Wednesday or Thursday. Usually, two people from the team will volunteer for this job instead of going to the build site. This is why it is important that you bring your own laundry bag with your name clearly labeled on it and it's when we really get to know you!

So, when you're on your long flight to Hawaii from Ohio, Alaska, New York, etc, think about which side volunteer work you think you'd like to help out with. Personally, I'm a coffee person. You'll quickly come to learn that I need my java in the morning, preferably before speaking, thus, making the coffee tends to be my side work!

Many of you have asked about internet connection. I am still working on that aspect. I believe that I can bring an airport to the retreat center, but if not, I will better have that information once I get to Molokia. I arrive on the 22nd of December to advance the team, so I hope to have answers for whatever questions you have.

Lastly, the Pau Lana Inn is a retreat center - very simple. Each room has two beds, with linens, night table, lamps and a separate, private bathroom. There is a pool that should be open for us as well as a full commercial kitchen and lanai where we take our meals and conduct team meetings.

The beach is lovely, and the Inn is providing kayaks as well.

I hope this answers some of your questions and I look forward to meeting you all in person.

Mahalo!

December 4th Already!

Well gang. Here we are... only three weeks away from our Hawaiian adventure.
Thank you so much for getting all of your information into me on time. Believe me, it is much appreciated.

I have a couple of updates to share with you. First, Chantell Murphy will no longer be able to join us on this trip. She has been offered a great job in New Mexico which requires her to begin during the same week as our build. We wish her luck in her move and her new endeavor! Tracy Roberson of Los Angeles will be taking her place on the team. She has promised to get me a bio & photo this weekend so you will all have the chance to meet her virtually before arriving in Molokai.

Ok - remember our first conversation way back over the summer? One of the adjectives I used when describing Habitat trips was "flexible". You vets of past Habitat trips will know EXACTLY what I mean.

Our fabulous affiliate host, Emillia, has been pulling out all of the stops to ensure that this first Global Village build is a super fantastic experience for you. Wait to you see her itinerary! One of her accomplishments has been securing bamboo housing for the island in tradition with the sustainability initiative.

Unfortunately, the house, which is assembled in pieces, will not be ready in time for our trip. I believe we will be doing some prep work for it's arrival to the island. I know some of you were really looking forward to working on this house, but I assure you, there will be LOTS to keep you busy!

We are going to be working with the Stone Ohana, other pictures of which are posted on the blog already. Part of this Habitat adventure will be foundation and framing work, roofing and installing a garden with taro & banana trees and other native vegetation.

We may also be called about to work on the Hawaiian Homestead project in tandem with Habitat for Humanity. This project specifically works on houses that need repairs and rehabilitation. Another opportunity for those with a penchant for gardening will be to help other Habitat homeowners put in their gardens.

I ask you to keep in mind that as the first Global Village trip to work with the Molokai affiliate, we are going to be the team that sets the standard for others that will come to the island. Who knows? Perhaps one of you will even Team Lead a group here. So, although Emillia and I are rocking and rolling, things can change and in closing... the word of the week will be FLEXIBILITY!