...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...East winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and seas
6 to 9 feet.
* WHERE...Oahu Windward Waters, Oahu Leeward Waters, Kaiwi
Channel, Maui County Windward Waters, Maui County Leeward
Waters, Maalaea Bay, Big Island Leeward Waters and Big Island
Southeast Waters.
* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Friday.
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in these conditions.
&&
Kristen joined KITV4 in March 2021 after working for the past two decades as a newspaper reporter. Kristen's goal is to produce meaningful journalism that educates, enlightens and inspires to affect positive change in society.
HONOLULU (KITV4) -- Living in paradise isn’t easy, especially with a lack of affordable housing that's driving many to the streets. But a Honolulu non-profit organization that helps families put a roof over their heads is getting some big help from one of the world's richest men.
Funin Fritz moved to Oahu in 2021 not realizing the cost of housing was out of reach. The mother of seven was forced to split up her children while she worked with local non-profit Family Promise of Hawaii to find a home she could afford.
"My family needed to split because of housing. It's really emotional because I never get to tell them this, but this means a lot what they've done," she said. "I think Family Promise is not just a program, it's a God-send blessing to families like mine."
The local non-profit is now getting a big boost from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to help end family homelessness in the islands.
Family Promise recently won a $2.5 million grant to expand its emergency shelter program, dole out more rent relief and help residents avoid ending up in shelters.
"I hope we look back today as the beginning of the end of family homelessness in Hawaii," said Ryan Catalani, executive director of Family Promise.
After jumping between the homes of family members and living in her car and then a tiny one-bedroom unit, in November, Fritz finally was able to move into a two-bedroom big enough for all her children.
"I'm happy to say that with their help my family is together, and we're doing very well right now," she said.
The non-profit made its announcement alongside governor-elect Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who pledged to work hand-in-hand with the private sector to solve Hawaii's homelessness crisis and invest in much-needed housing.
"We see this as an opportunity to solve major problems in our state," Green added.
Bezos also gave a five million grant to the Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers on Maui for temporary housing and other outreach services.
Kristen joined KITV4 in March 2021 after working for the past two decades as a newspaper reporter. Kristen's goal is to produce meaningful journalism that educates, enlightens and inspires to affect positive change in society.