Kaʻū News Briefs December 7, 2023

   Establish restrictions on the commercial harvest and sale of uhu;
   Extend the current closed season (May-August) for pāpa‘i kualoa (Kona Crab) to May-September;
    Allow the take of female pāpa‘i kualoa.

Uhu is one of five fish species up for regulations in taking and selling at Friday's Board of Land & Natural Resources. Photo from Environment Hawai'i.

    Richard Spencer said, "Without this program, I doubt we could have reached this point." He and his wife, Akalina, along with their six children are the most recent graduates of the program. Their milestone achievement "follows five years of hard work and dedication," says the county statement. The graduation also came with the disbursal of the Spencer ʻohanaʻs escrow account that topped $27,700.
    The federal Department of Housing & Urban Development's Family Self-Sufficiency Program was created in 1990 to enable families to achieve financial independence and eventually move out of public housing or off Section 8 assistance.

Richard Spencer and wife Akalina completed the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. Photo from County of Hawai'i

.   The voluntary program is open to Section 8 participants and has two main features: Case management/ coaching services and a financial incentive. The program typically lasts five years, though families may complete it earlier or request an extension of up to two years for good cause.
    Under the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, participating families work with a service coordinator to identify their financial and employment-related goals and to access a range of support services that help in achieving their goals.The financial incentive kicks in when a family sees an increase in its household income. Like all families in the Section 8 program, Family Self-Sufficiency Program participants pay rent based on a percentage of their household income. That means as a familyʻs income increases, rent payments follow suit.
    However, when families in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program see an increase in income, the portion of that extra income that would have otherwise gone to rent instead goes into an interest-bearing escrow account. Meanwhile, the Department of Housing and Urban Development continues to pay the full housing assistance payment.

    Upon successful completion of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, the family is free to use their saved funds for any purpose. Some common uses are to start a new business, repair credit, reduce debt, buy a home, or pay for education.

    The Spencers said their savings will be used first to pay down debt. After that, the family plans to move toward homeownership through Office of County Housing & Urban Developmentʻs Homeownership Option Program.
    While the Spencers admit the program was "tough" and they had some doubt early on if they would be able to succeed, they said they encourage anyone participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program to apply for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.
    "We tell all of our friends. We tell everybody," says Akalina. "This is definitely a program that I would recommend."
    Since late 2020, the Office of Housing and Community Development has helped 28 families successfully graduate from the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, each exiting with an average savings of $10,300.
    "Congratulations to the Spencer ʻohana, and all those in the community who have committed to this program that inspires and empowers individuals and families to make positive change in their lives," said Housing Administrator Susan Kunz. "The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing & Community Development is proud to administer this program that helps local families make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency."
    Any Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program participants who is interested in applying for the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing & Community Development's Family Self-Sufficiency Program their caseworkers or email Jenny Suefuji at fsshopinfo@hawaiicounty.gov.

    Informational meetings are also held every second Wednesday of the month at the Office of Housing & Community Development's Hilo office at 1990 Kinoʻole Street. In Kona, informational meetings are held every other month at the Office of Housing and Community Developmentʻs office in the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Building B.
    The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing & Community Development is responsible for the planning, administration, and operation of all County of Hawai'i
housing programs. "Our Mission is to provide for the development of viable communities through decent housing, suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities," says its statememt.
    More information on the Office of Housing & Community Development and its programs can be found online at www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov. To receive news alerts and OHCD's quarterly newsletter, click here. You can also connect with OHCD on Facebook and Instagram.

PĀHALA TOWN LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE on this coming Saturday has drawn at least 30 groups to participate, as well as County Council member Michelle Galimba, Mayor Mitch Roth and other dignitaries, according to Chair of the Committee Shai Lopez-Castaneda. He released a map of the parade which takes participants from the grounds of the Mac Nut office on Pikake Street up Pikake Street, right onto Kamani Street, down to Kaʻū Hospital and to Pāhala  Community Center. It ends with picture-taking with Santa and his Buddies, some arts and crafts and light refreshments until 8:30 p.m.

    The parade honors Eddie Andrade who has retired from hosting the renowned Pāhala Christmas Parade with his family for more than 40 years.
    Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade is co-hosted by County Department of Parks & Recreation.