Fall 2012 - Hawaii HomeOwnership Center

Hawai i
HomeOwnership
Center
NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center
®
“I did it for my son”
At 3:30 in the morning when most of us were
sleeping, Mary and her son were in her truck driving
to Honolulu to beat the weekday traffic. This is what
she needed to do since they were staying with family far away from her job and son’s school. Mary had
enrolled in several homeownership programs prior to
coming to the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center and
had many disappointments along the way. However,
this single mom’s focus on providing a better life for
her son kept her committed to the American Dream
of homeownership. A “stop card” that she received
in the HomeOwnership
Center’s money management class side served as a
constant reminder of her goal.
One side of the card had a photo
of a home and on the other side were
the words, “STOP! Think about it before you
spend it!” It was the size of a credit card, meant to
be placed in the wallet. Instead, Mary hung it on the
rear view mirror of her truck as a reminder of her goal
during her many hours of driving.
After years of the early
morning drives with the
“stop card” on her mirror,
and of saving receipts in a
plastic bag to figure out her
expenses and manage her
money, Mary learned about
a homeownership opportunity on Maui. Originally from
Maui, Mary still had a sister
living there, and could make
a job transfer to remain with
the same employer. Everything seemed perfect: but
this amazing opportunity
came with an incredible sacrifice. Mary had to temporarily
Mary and her son standing in front of their own home.
Inside this Issue:
• One Homebuyer’s Story........... 1
• Down Payment
Loans Available ........................ 1
• Kuu Home Society Launched... 2
• Board Spotlight ........................ 2
• Contributors to HHOC...............3
• Golf Tourney ............................. 4
(Continued on page 3)
Financing Assistance Available for First-Time Homebuyers
HHOC Mortgage (HHOCM) was recently
awarded $400,000 in loan capital by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund).
HHOCM is a non-profit mortgage lender
formed in 2010 and an affiliate of the Hawaii
Homeownership Center. HHOCM assists first-time,
low to moderate income homebuyers with their
purchase financing. More than 25 Hawaii families
have been assisted with their mortgage financing
needs in purchasing new homes through HHOCM.
“This new CDFI funding will enable us to
assist more families who don’t have the typical
20% down payment required by most mortgage
lenders,” said Dennis Oshiro, Executive Director
of HHOCM.
HHOCM will lend up to $60,000 with buyers
coming in with as little as 3 percent down payment.
This allows the borrower to avoid the cost of mortgage insurance and still pay a low down payment.
Potential buyers should contact Vaun Owen at (808) 523-9505, [email protected].
Or visit: www.hihomeownership.org/homemortgage.html
Hawaii HomeOwnership Center is a
Partner Agency of the Aloha United
Way and is eligible to receive designations from the AUW 2012 Pacesetter and General campaigns. Our five
digit designation number is 73600. The
Pacesetter campaign runs from May
29 - July 6 while the General campaign
runs from August 27 - October 5.
Fall 2012
1
Board Spotlight
Joyce Borthwick, Board Member
Joyce Borthwick brings 20 years of
expertise in residential mortgages to
HHOC. She currently works for First Hawaiian Bank in their Residential Real Estate Division. On the HHOC board since
2004, and a past Board President, Joyce
appreciates the value of HHOC programs. Joyce says, “I know home buying
is not a simple process. So many people
got into loans they shouldn’t have taken
on -- if they had known about HHOC,
they could have avoided this mistake. I’m proud of HHOC’s record of
helping first time homebuyers on the right path to sustainable homeownership.”
Although volunteering for HHOC is a priority, Joyce is also a huge
sports fan who spends her free time cheering on the University of
Hawaii football, basketball, and baseball teams. “I was my father’s
sports buddy growing up,” she says, “so I developed a lifelong love
of sports -- even stock car racing!”
Debra Luning, Board Member
Debra Luning is the Director of
Governmental Affairs and Community
Relations for Gentry Homes, Ltd. In
her position at Gentry, she is involved
with obtaining entitlements and other
land use approvals for Gentry’s developments. Her work involves state and
city government, the Ewa community,
and affordable housing. Besides HHOC,
Debra serves on the boards of the Land
Use Research Foundation, Ewa Weed
& Seed Advisory Committee, Empower Oahu, the Ewa Beach Community Based Development Organization Advisory Board and E Pule
Kakou. She helps to spearhead the annual HHOC golf tournament.
Debra enjoys family time, golfing and stamping during her spare
time – a commodity that is quite limited during the school year because she also serves as a Group Leader for Bible Study Fellowship.
2
Fall 2012
Planting Seeds of Hope
We saved every dollar, every nickel and penny
And held onto hope when it seemed there wasn’t any
And somehow our dream of a home of our own
Is oh so real now...
‘Cause we’re finally going home
Yes, we’re finally going home
Sweet home
- “Home Song,” Kelike Castillo
On August 30, 2012 more than 200 people gathered in the Manoa ballroom
of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i to open to their hearts to inspiring
stories of homeownership and to open their checkbooks to make homeownership
a reality for Hawaii families. The lunch presentation was sponsored by the Pacific
Resource Partnership. Kelike Castillo opened the hour-long program with a beautiful song she wrote for the occasion about the joys of home.
The audience heard first-hand from clients, staff, and volunteers about the impact
of HHOC’s programs on thousands of Hawaii residents since 2003. In a conversation
onstage with Program Director Reina Miyamoto, Elaine Pahio described her feelings of
achievement and pride in owning her own home after years of thinking homeownership was something that happened to other people, and not to her.
”In my family, we always rented. Owning my own home wasn’t something I
thought was possible for me, until a friend suggested I visit the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center. Living with family, you don’t have as much freedom and privacy as you
do when you have your own home.”
Three of the 911 HHOC clients who have purchased homes with help from HHOC
shared their personal stories in a video produced by Jeff Orig of Orig Media. One client
said, “I thought the American dream would never happen to me. But I had to do it for
myself, and my son. I think I made the right move. Living in the house is wonderful.”
Then, HHOC board member and client Vickie Punua-McGinnis announced, “We
are launching a brand new partnership - the Ku’u Home Society (“beloved home” in
Hawaiian) - and I ask you to consider joining me this afternoon as a founding member.” This society is a group of donors committing a multi-year contribution to HHOC
including those willing and able to provide support of $1,000 for 5 years.
The response was tremendous! Over $130,000 was raised for the next 5 years
from Ku’u Home Society members and others. HHOC is extremely grateful and
humbled by the generosity and support of the community for the mission of increasing homeownership in Hawaii.
“I did it for my son”
(continued from page 1)
leave her son on Oahu while she took a part-time job to save enough to buy a
home. Family members helped Mary take care of her son while they were apart;
although she knew he was in good hands, she missed him terribly. It was the future
she wanted to provide for him on Maui that kept her committed and focused until
at last, she reached her savings goal and mother and son were reunited.
When Mary and her son got the keys to their own home it was the realization
of a long-time dream. For a long time, Mary kept the “stop card” that hung on her
rear view mirror of her truck. Now the card has been passed on to her niece who
wants her family to buy a home of their own. Mary`, of course, has advised her niece
to call the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center.
Hawaii HomeOwnership Center is grateful to our generous supporters:
the companies, foundations, and individuals who help us with our
mission to increase and preserve homeownership in Hawaii. Mahalo!
Over $25,000
Community Stabilization Fund of
the Hawaii Community Foundation
First Hawaiian Bank
Hawaiian Electric Industries
Charitable Foundation
NeighborWorks America
Wells Fargo Foundation
$10,000 to $24,999
Honolulu Board of REALTORS®
HomeStreet Bank
Jack Hall Hawaii Housing Corporation
Pacific Resource Partnership
$2,500 to $9,999
Abe Lee Realty
Armstrong Foundation
Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties
First Insurance Co. Of Hawaii Ltd.
Gentry Homes, Ltd.
Hawaii Association of REALTORS® Hawaii USA Federal Credit
Union Foundation
HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union
Hunt Development Group, Hawaii
Kiewit Pacific Group, Inc.
Pacific Rim Mortgage
Territorial Savings Bank
Title Guaranty Escrow Services, Inc.
$1,000 to $2,499
Amemiya, Ronald
Arinaga, Larry
Bob Tanaka Realty
Borthwick, Joyce
Carlsmith Ball LLP
Central Pacific Bank
Commercial Sheetmetal Co., Inc.
Fidelity National Title
Insurance Company
Finance Factors, Ltd.
Hale Mahaolu
Hastie, R Dale
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.
Hawaiian Telcom
Hawaiiana Management Co.
Hualalai Investors, LLC
Kagawa, Kathleen
Miyamoto, Amy
Mukaigawa, Kay
Nakamura, Joyce
Noguchi, Norman
Oahu Properties.com
Old Republic Title & Escrow Of Hawaii
Plum Associates, Inc. (Allison Lum)
Progressive Electric Co., Inc.
Rizzo, Bill
Russ Goode Seminars
Shinsato, Tom
Title Guaranty of Hawaii, Inc.
Watanabe, Corinne and Edwin
Yoneshige, Karl
Other Contributors
Ako, Yvonne
Alices, Jeanne
Amemiya, Keiji
Baba, Sharon
Ban, Ali
Bank of Hawaii
Benn Pacific Group, Inc.
Bojim Investments, Inc.
Bordner, Dale
Breault, Kehaulani
Byrer, Chris
Caswell, Iris
Certified Management, Inc.
Chinen, Calvin & Joy
Ching, Donna
Ciano, David
Clephane, Donald
Climaldi, John
Cresencia, Hopelin
D.R. Horton
Dang, Marvin
Dannemiller, James
DelaCruz, Maria
Delco Sales
Di Maio, Stefano
Divito-Paianina, Pam
Dura Constructors, Inc.
Engineering Concepts, Inc.
Fernandez, Charlene L.
Fernandez, Darlene
Flood, Mary
Fowler, Lisa
Fujimoto, Blenn
Germaine’s Luau
Geronimo, Jema
Godfrey, Roger
Godfrey, Signe
Gomez, Juanita
Goya, Angela
Goya, David
GreenPath Technologies, Inc.
Gregson, Rochelle
Haraguchi, Lloyd
Hargrave, Tracy
Hashimoto, Sean
Hawaii Benefits Administrators, Inc.
Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union
Hinaga, Reid
Hirai, Craig
Hostelly, Anders
HPM Building Supply
Ide, JoAnne
ILWU Local 142 AFL-CIO
Imanaka, Mike
Inouye, Myles and Kathy
Izumi Appraisal Group, LLC
Jhong, Linda
Johnson, Gary
Kagimoto, John
Kai, Gary
Kalbrener, Judith
Kam, Ruth
Kamakea, Cyd
Katsuda, Roy
Kaulukukui, Scott
King Auto Center
Kokubun, Dana
Komatsu, Laurie and Sidney
Kubo, Miles
Lally, Adrienne
Lemcke, Paul
Li, Bryan
Libed, Jody
Ling, Sydette
Lowe, Lorna
Lum, Michael
Luning, Debra
Luning, Marissa
MacNaughton Group, The
Mann Mortgage, LLC
Marcus and Associates, Inc.
Martin, James
Masaki, Mavis
Matsu, R and J
Matsuda, Joyce
Matsukage, Jane
Mid Pac Petroleum, LLC
Miller, Michael
Minami, Jason
Mitchell, Brenda
Mitchell, Connie
Miyamoto, Reina M
Miyamoto, Wynn
Molina, Brenda
Morris, Kathy
Murai, Daryn
Muraoka, Randy
Nakamura, Linda
Nakasato, Davin
Nakatani, Jinnah
Naya, Dawn Robinson
Ng, David
Nishihara, Glenn
Oceanic Time Warner Cable
Omakanim, Kristi
Orig Media
Ornellas, Leilani
Oshiro, Dennis
Pahio, Elaine
Park, Kuuhaku
Pearl Harbor Federal Credit Union
Pendleton, Noemi
Pfund, Sandra
Plantz, Lynn
Podolske, Mike and Phyllis
Punua-McGinnis, Vickie
Rainforth, Ken
Reischmann, Janis A.
Remular, Melody
Risk Solutions Partners
Royal Contracting Co., Ltd.
Saiki, Patsy
Sakamoto, Guy
Sarroca-Shimabukuro, Kimi
Scott, Christina B.
Servco Foundation
Seuh, Julie
Seventh-Day Adventist Church
- Hawaii Conference
Sheet Metal Workers I.A.
Local Union 293
Sitch, Caydie
Skillman, Arleene
Smith, Rosemary
Soares, Norma
Soong, Alison
Souza, Shanae
Springer, Anna M.
St Germain, Patricia
Suzuki, Edwina
Taira, Terry
Takahashi, Glenn
Takahashi, Janice
Takayama, Kathy
Tamboa, Gina R.
Tangonan, Aaron
Tarumoto, Lisa
The Gas Company
Tokushige, Michael
Tsuru, Marilynn
Tsutsui, Roy
University Of Hawaii
Federal Credit Union
Uyetake, Uyetake & Associates, Inc.
Veniegas, Kelly
Victorino, Ui
Wada, Ryker
Walther, Kent Mori
Weaver, Chantal
Wells, Lynn
Welsch, Larry
West, Nicole
Whittington, Jon
Wond, Lisa
Wong, Edwin
Wong, Glenna
Wong, Hugh
Woodley, Lore
Yamagata, Veronica
Yamaguchi & Yamaguchi, Inc.
Yamamoto, Warren
Yara, Rebecca
Yee, Kenlyn L.
Yee, Michael
Yeoh, Debbie
Yonamine, Hugh
Yoneshige, Karl
Yoshida, Hugh
Young, Freda
In-Kind Contributions
A&B Foundation
Advantage Webco Dodge Hawaii
Bob Tanaka Realty
Certified Management, Inc.
Ching, Carlton
Cox Media Group
Freaky Tiki Tropical Optical
Germaine’s Luau
GolfTEC Hawaii
Grove Farm Company
Hale Mahaolu
Hawaii Island Air Inc.
Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union
Heinrich Witter Bullard Marketing
Hualalai Investors, LLC
ING DIRECT Hawaii Cafe
Jade Food
Kaanapali Golf Courses
Kamiyama, Diane
Klein, Patrick
Ko Olina Golf Club
Kotake Shokai, Ltd.
Massage and Shiatsu By
Earline Sueyoshi
Moanalua Golf Club
Nagata, Melvin
Orig Media
Pacific Links Hawaii
Princeville At Hanalei
Ray Sportswear
Roberts Hawaii Inc.
Servco Lexus
StarAdvertiser
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii
Sullivan Family Of Companies
The Real Estate Book
Title Guaranty of Hawaii, Inc.
Wakiki Beach Walk
Donations from 1/12 - 10/12
Fall 2012
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Hawai'i HomeOwnership Center • 1259 Aala Street, Suite 201 • Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 • Phone: 808.523.9500 • Fax: 808.523.9502
Executive Director: Dennis Oshiro • Email: [email protected] • From any island, call toll-free: 877.523.9503
“I know what I’m going to do”
Chip in for Homeownership
Central Pacific Bank sponsored a hot dog station at
the 5th annual HHOC golf tournament.
Wouldn’t you want to have some fun playing your favorite game
while chipping in to support successful homeownership? About 140
golfers and 30+ volunteer supporters did just that on September
27th at Pearl Country Club in support of the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center’s 5th Annual “Chip In For HomeOwnership” event sponsored by HomeStreet Bank. Senior Vice President Gerald Tanaka
served as tournament chair for his 5th straight year with assistance
from Gentry Homes’ Deb Luning. Mahalo, Gerald and Deb!
As this newsletter goes to press, by our latest estimates we raised
over $39,000 for the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center! Board member
and co-chair Deb Luning said, “This goes a long way towards providing more homebuyer classes, individualized coaching sessions, foreclosure prevention counseling and down payment assistance programs.”
Each participant had chances to win a brand new Audi or Harley
motorcycle, neighbor island golf trips, a $250 gas card, golf clubs,
accessories, and other great prizes that were too numerous to mention! There was also a variety of food, beverages and other giveaways on the course to help keep our golfers energized. Congratulations to Norman Noguchi, our Early Bird Registration winner for a
Vacations Hawaii Las Vegas trips for two. Visit our website (www.
hihomeownership.org) to view photos of this year’s event, and to
keep an eye out for information about next year’s tournament!
by: Reina Miyamoto, Hawaii HomeOwnership Center Program Director
The Hawaii HomeOwnership Center has assisted over 700 people struggling
to avoid foreclosure, and I wanted to learn more about the people served by our
staff. Kurt agreed to speak to me about his past mortgage challenges and how
the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center assisted him. I was struck by Kurt’s honest and
humble demeanor. He acknowledged some of the barriers he is working on, yet
still communicated a spirit of thankfulness and of moving forward with purpose.
Kurt is a hard-working man who lives in the home left to him by his mother.
He has had financial struggles for the past five years and when he had trouble
paying his mortgage, he called to inquire about a foreclosure seminar he saw in
an ad. Although Kurt wasn’t able to attend the seminar, he received information
about the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center and met Becky of our staff in 2009.
Kurt admits he had made poor financial choices years ago. However, it was
an act of kindness to a disabled relative who needed a place to stay that created an unexpected, long term financial hardship. After coming to the Hawaii
HomeOwnership Center, Kurt received a referral to another agency that provided assistance with his debt, and encouragement to live within a budget and
his own means. He was also pleasantly surprised when he was approved for a
loan modification that lowered his mortgage payments. Three years after his
initial visit, Kurt continues to come to the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center to
review his budget in order to achieve his current financial goal to get out of debt
in four years. Kurt admits that he still has financial challenges and I thought he
seemed a bit discouraged, but he then said with confidence, “But I know what
I’m going to do about it.”
I was honored to meet Kurt. He reminded me how powerful it is when a
person sees a better future and learns how to make it happen. I also was proud
that the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center could support Kurt’s journey.
ABOUT US
Established in 2003, The Hawaii HomeOwnership Center
(HHOC) is a non-profit organization that provides education, information and support to create successful firsttime homeowners in Hawaii. The purpose of HHOC programs is to prepare clients to purchase their first home and to ensure payment
stability. HHOC fulfills this purpose through homebuyer education, one-on-one
counseling and post-purchase counseling.
HHOC is chartered by NeighborWorks America, a national network of
235 independent, community-based organizations that work to provide decent homes and safe communities for low- and middle income families. HHOC
is the only certified NeighborWorks America affiliate in Hawaii to provide preand post-homeownership education.
In Partnership with
Title Guaranty
A Legacy Built on Promises Delivered
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Fall 2012