With its Hanapēpē facility damaged and home construction temporarily delayed, the nonprofit is relying on staff, volunteers and community support as it navigates an uncertain recovery.
HANAPĒPĒ, KAUAʻI — Kauaʻi Habitat for Humanity has resumed limited retail operations at its Hanapēpē ReStore following extensive damage caused by Hurricane Lowell, offering shoppers a modified shopping experience while the nonprofit works toward restoring its facilities and affordable housing construction program.
The Hanapēpē property, which houses the organization’s ReStore, warehouse and administrative offices, sustained significant damage to its roof and roofing structure during the September storm. Inventory, fixtures and furnishings were also affected, forcing the temporary closure of public retail operations.
In responses provided to Westside Ledger, Kauaʻi Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Milani Pimental explained that staff began cleaning up the facility just two days after the hurricane, although the organization’s administrative operations continued remotely without interruption.
Recovery has been complicated by structural assessments, insurance matters and ongoing discussions with engineers, the property’s owner and Habitat’s Board of Directors regarding the facility’s future.
“For the ReStore, the biggest challenge has been determining the extent of the damages, considering repair, and coordinating communications with insurance as well as the property owner,” Pimental said.
Despite those challenges, Habitat’s ReStore employees and construction staff worked to clear debris, organize merchandise and prepare a temporary shopping area within the property’s baseyard.
A recent discounted warehouse sale helped welcome customers back while generating revenue for the nonprofit’s affordable housing mission.
Pimental explained that much of the merchandise offered during the event had been stored in staging areas before the hurricane and was not damaged by the storm.
“We felt it was important to be able to promote our goods (especially fun seasonal goods such as Halloween items), which provide much-needed revenue for our mission of providing affordable housing opportunities for the community,” she said.
Although the event was structured differently from the ReStore’s usual sales, Pimental described it as a regular part of the organization’s retail operations.
She recalled the community’s enthusiasm when the ReStore reopened after an approximately two-month closure during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when shoppers lined up around the building.
The recent sale also reportedly drew a positive response, with customers pleased to return and browse merchandise ahead of Halloween.
While much of the cleanup and preparation was completed by ReStore associates and Habitat’s construction staff, several longtime volunteers stepped forward to assist.
Pimental recognized Bill Trautman, David Pacanas Jr., Bill Trotter, Sharlene Mata and Mary Kay Hertog for answering the organization’s limited call for assistance during the initial cleanup and subsequent preparations for temporary retail operations.
Their contributions included clearing debris, staging merchandise and helping staff prepare the modified shopping area.
The organization’s recovery efforts have also taken place alongside broader community assistance following Hurricane Lowell.
As a member of Kauaʻi’s Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Habitat continues working with other agencies to support residents affected by the storm.
Pimental specifically acknowledged Mālama Kauaʻi and other participating organizations for their efforts to assist the community.
Habitat’s ReStore is also helping fulfill priority needs for residents through verified requests for assistance and reports of storm damage, as its available resources allow.
Beyond the damage to its retail facility, Hurricane Lowell has also disrupted Habitat’s ongoing affordable housing construction efforts.
Although six active new-home construction sites appeared visibly undamaged following the storm, structural engineering inspections were deemed necessary before construction could safely resume.
Further complicating matters was a Sept. 9 fire at the County of Kauaʻi’s Kāpule Building in Līhuʻe, just two days after Hurricane Lowell. The fire severely damaged the county facility and disrupted government operations, adding another challenge as Habitat worked to coordinate with the county’s Building Division.
Pimental said the organization hopes to resume construction in the coming days or weeks once outstanding details with the Building Division are resolved.
The storm also affected Habitat employees personally, with several key staff members experiencing major damage to their own homes.
Meanwhile, the nonprofit continues to face financial uncertainty as its ReStore operates at reduced capacity.
“This temporary closure and limited ReStore operation could mean significantly less revenue for our mission of providing affordable housing opportunities to the community,” Pimental said.
The organization is also exploring whether it can offer limited home repair services to residents affected by the hurricane. However, moving forward with such a program will depend on a clearer understanding of its facility damage and potential alternatives.
For now, Habitat continues evaluating its long-term options for the Hanapēpē property while maintaining essential administrative and homeowner services remotely.
Kauaʻi Habitat for Humanity’s Hanapēpē ReStore is currently welcoming shoppers under temporary operating hours, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.