HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Lying on a mattress sheltered by a tarp, Chandi Cabebe’s two young sons were playing on donated tablets Tuesday afternoon, distracting themselves from the reality that their home is now gone and the uncertainty of when they will have a permanent roof over their heads.
Cabebe and her family of seven lost their Nanakuli home to a fire on Oct. 1.
Now, two weeks later, the family is sharing two tents along West Oahu’s shoreline.
“My kids, they hate it, they’re miserable,” Cabebe shared. “They’re not used to this. They always ask to go home, which we can’t do right now.”
With speeding cars on Farrington Highway and large homeless encampments just feet away, Cabebe is concerned for her children’s safety.
“We’re hoping and praying that we’re not out here too much longer,” Cabebe added.
Cabebe is grateful for friends, family, and the Waianae Assembly of God church, who have donated essentials including a generator for lights, a propane stove to cook and a cooler for their food.
“Without them, we wouldn’t have, we really would be out here with nothing, you know,” Cabebe said.
Gov. Josh Green’s office, Cabebe added, contacted the family and is trying to connect them with resources.
Cabebe said it has been a struggle getting help from non-profit organizations and other groups.
“Everyone else is either no funding, no, they’re going to see what they can do, they have to talk to their higher ups, so everything is at a standstill, pretty much,” Cabebe said.
A GoFundMe page has raised nearly $9,000 for the family so far. Cabebe said they plan to use the money for a long-term home.
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