The renovations will overhaul a 22,575-square-foot property with two existing houses that will provide and array of services to people with mental, physical and addiction challenges on Molokai. Specifically, the project will completely renovate one 720-square-foot building to create a large dining room and fellowship room.

A complete certified kitchen with a pantry will also be built. The other 720-square-foot building will be for a “Clerical Unit” that will offer additional, pre-vocational opportunities and supported education for the clients, as well as a music room. Other improvements to the only state-run facility for people with mental illness and drug addiction on Molokai include a landscaped garden with Native Hawaiian plants, pathway, a ramp for wheelchair use, luau gathering place, and a community vegetable garden with a tool shed.

“We’re so excited to take this project on as it will truly be an extreme makeover that will benefit so many people in an underserved area,” said Kathleen Merriam, Metro Rotary’s Project Leader. “These improvements will make it possible to help more people, and for the state to allocate more resources – most likely doubling the staff to offer more services and longer hours to those who really need it.”

Currently the Center, called Hana Ka Lima (many hands working together) serves between 10 and 12 people a day. With these changes, the center could become a full-fledged Clubhouse, the preferred psychosocial rehabilitation method. There are ten Clubhouses in Hawaii, six on Oahu, two on the Big Island, one on Maui and one on Kauai, helping more than 1,000 people annually. Hana Ka Lima would be the first Clubhouse on Molokai.

“Our hope is that through these improvements, this Hana Ka Lima will be able to eventually serve breakfast, lunch and some dinners to members, and perhaps even prepare bentos for local fundraisers,” Merriam said. “With more resources, the Center will be able to have more consistent and longer operating hours. There are 88 people registered on Molokai as suffering from mental illness and/or drug abuse. This center will go a long way toward helping these people in need.”

Many people are coming together to make this project a possibility. Brother and sister Bill Aki and Lani Song sold the land to Molokai Community Service Council (MCSC) in April 2008 at a $230,000 discount. MCSC with Hana Ka Lima also obtained a $19,000 grant from The County of Maui, which Metro Rotary used to purchase building and garden supplies for the project.

Metro Rotary is donating $5,000 in funds, $125,000 in in-kind architectural, building and landscaping services, and nearly 50 Metro Rotarians are working together with the Molokai community to make this “Extreme Makeover.” A huge thank you to the following in-kind sponsors: Architectural Diagnostics, Ltd., Bradley Pacific Aviation Inc., Darcey Builders, Native Plant Source, New Hope Church, Trans Air and Young Brothers.

However, Hana Ka Lima can still use additional in-kind donations and supplies. The following items are requested:

· Plants for landscaping

· Gardening supplies

· Large wooden sign (3 feet by 6 feet wide)

· Outdoor tables, chairs

· Paver stones (to be engraved)

· Storage shed

· Office chairs

· Office tables

· Fax

· Copier

· Laptops with current software

· Office supplies (papers, pens, etc.)

· White board with dry erase markers

· Book shelves

· Pop-up tents or canopies

· Motion-activated lights/security lights

· Curtain rods and window treatments

· A/C window units

· Flat screen TV

· Riding lawnmower

Those interested in donating can call Kathleen Merriam at 721.0748. Those on Oahu interested in donating larger items are requested to do so by September 26, so they can be shipped to Molokai with the building supplies.

Metro Rotary’s Kathleen Merriam, who also is the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Coordinator for the Statewide Clubhouse system, first visited the Hana Ka Lima in 2003. She brought the project to Metro Rotary in 2006 as a potential community service project that could meet the needs of the Hana Ka Lima while filling a niche for Metro Rotarians.

“Not all Rotarians can serve at our orphanage in Cambodia or help out at our new clinic in America Samoa; however, a project on Molokai is reachable. I also believe through our support, we will highlight the additional support that is necessary in order to sustain a program like this. One cannot help but be inspired by the people there. The members want to work on their recovery and have a better life. They want what we all want. They just need a little help. What a blessing that we will all have this time together in October,” Merriam said.

The Rotary Club of Metropolitan Honolulu was chartered on August 25, 1986, and meets weekly each Thursday morning downtown at The Plaza Club. Metro Rotary serves the community by providing needed financial support and leadership to numerous organizations and groups in Hawaii and beyond. The club also participates in hands-on projects during the year, providing members opportunities to participate directly in community service activities and programs. Metro Rotary is part of Rotary International, which is made up of more than 31,000 Rotary Clubs located in 200 countries and geographical regions of the world, who are making a difference locally and globally through SERVICE ABOVE SELF (Rotary's motto). Rotarians are eradicating Polio from the face of the earth, providing fresh water, hope and resources for peace, working toward a shift in infant mortality, illiteracy, poverty, and making a difference in challenges that plague our communities and our world.

Rotary Clubs on Oahu will continue to serve their local communities and countries in need worldwide during the 2008-009 Rotary year with new leadership, and inspired by their Rotary International President's charge to "MAKE DREAMS REAL."

If you are interested in visiting a Rotary Club meeting or want to discuss the opportunities for membership, please contact Tommi Nakamoto at 521-7844, extension 129 or mailto:tnakamoto@onts-cpa.com

Making a Difference...