When Sandy walked into the Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi (CCH) office at Hale Wai Vista in 2023, she was carrying more than just paperwork, she was carrying years of worry, stress, and uncertainty.
Though willing and able to work, Sandy had reached a breaking point. She was unemployed, emotionally exhausted, and facing more than $25,000 in rental arrears that placed her family on the brink of eviction. The fear of losing her home weighed heavily on her every day.
But that moment, when Sandy walked through the door, became the first step toward hope.
Through Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi’s Akahai E Komo Mai program, Sandy found more than financial guidance. She found people who listened, believed in her, and stood beside her as she began the difficult journey toward stability.
With the support of her CCH Case Manager, Sandy created a structured repayment plan and received advocacy that allowed her family to remain in their home while she worked to rebuild her finances. Month by month, she stayed committed, making rent payments, steadily reducing her arrears, and refusing to give up even when progress felt slow.
At the same time, Sandy began meeting with a therapist through CCH’s on-site Counseling Department at Hale Wai Vista. These conversations helped her process years of stress and rebuild the confidence she had lost. Through the Akahai E Komo Mai program, she also participated in financial education workshops, learning how to create a realistic monthly budget and make choices that would strengthen her family’s future.
Slowly, hope began to replace fear.
With encouragement from her Case Manager, Sandy prepared to return to the workforce. She applied for a position with the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Education, studied diligently for the placement exam, passed, and secured full-time employment at a local school. More than two years later, Sandy still works there today, proud of the stability she has built and the example she sets for her family.
Along the way, Sandy rediscovered another part of herself, her creativity. A talented seamstress, she hand-sews beautiful Hawaiian blankets along with pillowcases, towels, and kitchen pot holders. What began as a personal passion soon became a way to earn additional income, as she now sells her handmade items alongside her son.
Through dedication, perseverance, and the support of Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, Sandy accomplished something that once felt impossible. By January 2026, her rental arrears dropped from more than $25,000 to $0. Today she remains financially stable, engaged in her community, and often volunteers at Hale Wai Vista events, giving back to the place that helped her rebuild her life.
Sandy’s story reflects the reality facing many working families across Hawaiʻi. In 2023, 45% of households lived below the ALICE Threshold, including 35% classified as ALICE households, families who earn too much to qualify for public assistance but still struggle to afford basic necessities. Programs like Akahai E Komo Mai help bridge that gap by combining cultural values, financial education, and mental health support to guide families toward lasting stability.
Because of this holistic approach, families like Sandy’s are not just surviving, they are rediscovering hope, rebuilding their confidence, and creating a stronger future for the generations that follow.
