The Impact of Habilitat in the Community with Ka’iewe Davidson

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Interview Transcription

ADRIENNE:
Welcome back. And thanks for listening to the Team Lally Real Estate show home of the guaranteed sold program. We’ll buy it. I’m Adrienne and I’m Attilio. And if you have any questions, just give us a call at 7999596 or check us out online at Teamlally.com.

ATTILIO:
Our guest today was born and raised in Hawaii. He graduated from Kula Let’s see Oh, I forgot my glasses. Kaiapuni at King Kekaulike High School. He is a Kanaka Maoli, who has a deep love and respect for his culture. He came to Habilitat when at some point of his life he had gone astray, was about to give up on life he has been truly grateful for the chance he has been given to the Habilitat for believing in him. Please welcome our guest, now Habilitat’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Ka’iewe Davidson. Hello.

KA’IEWE:
Hello, how’s it going? Good afternoon,

ADRIENNE:
and welcome to the radio show.

ATTILIO:
Welcome to the radio show. So say your first name for Adrienne.

KA’IEWE:
My name is Ka’iewe

ATTILIO:
and Ka’iewe, what would you say? Before we get into the we, we want to talk to you about the events that are coming up. But before we get into that, we need to go to our to our origin story of Habilitat. Habilitat give us some quick facts. When did it start? What is this?

KA’IEWE:
Habilitat was founded in 1971 by Vinny Marino. He’s our founder kind of visionary of this program. It’s a two and a half year vocational training life transformation program that helps people from the hardest of situations like homelessness, incarceration. It performs miracles over here. We’re trained in different vocational trainings to help set us up for our best possible chance of success when we complete the program.

ATTILIO:
Thank you so much, Vinny Marino, Vinny Marino, because you know what popped in my head was Vinnie Barbarino which is the John Travolta Tabata character and Welcome Back Kotter. And if I remember

KA’IEWE:
reading name, hair, different different characters, same hair, different shirt, same

ATTILIO:
hair. You know, what I remember about reading about Vinny story is that he has he has a personal reason why he started this what was the personal reason why he started this community. This organization he

KA’IEWE:
did, you know, so he’d been through his own struggles through addiction, incarceration, homelessness, all of that. He’d been through the hardest situations and he’d also been to different therapeutic communities. So he came to Hawaii to start a program with someone it didn’t work out and he was left with eight kids out in Kailua. And he was dedicated and committed to help changing these kids lives. So he pushed through and he is giving this property to help his program And that’s kinda like the short history of Habilitat and how it began

ATTILIO:
Who’s the family that gave the land?

KA’IEWE:
it was the Bigelow family from the Bigelo’s estate the Mrs. Bigelow Yep. Okay, so for any she believed in what Vinny was doing, and she, you know, she supported it fully. And that’s the history.

ATTILIO:
You got to understand folks, this is like one and a half acre property on the Kane’ohe waterfront Ko’olau’s the backdrop Kane’ohe Bay as the front drop this in we’re realtors, this is anywhere between a 10 and $20 million property. And the Bigelow family if you’re listening or somebody’s related to them, give them a big mahalo because we never realize as things are done, and we move forward in time, how important it is for somebody who has done something long time ago, how it’s still impacting our community in a positive way. And in a huge way. How many people are in this program over Habilitat? Right now,

KA’IEWE:
currently, there’s about 110 residents in the program, but we always up to 150 at any given time.

ADRIENNE:
And then how many would you say have graduated successfully of the program?

KA’IEWE:
Since I’ve been here for about two years now. And I’ve seen about 20 to 25 people graduate successfully from the program that came before me, and we’re doing really well today.

ATTILIO:
And over

ADRIENNE:

1971, it’s probably been 1000s.

ATTILIO:
Yeah, or at least a couple dozen hundreds and hundreds, you know, our listeners, I want you to understand the impact of that, because talk about the recidivism rate, what’s been the success rate of this program.

KA’IEWE:
So we’re about 67% of people who stay clean and sober, are in safe housing and are full time employed five years after their graduation, which is three times higher than the national average,

ATTILIO:
three times higher than the national program, you got to understand this, folks, people get, you know, not all people have drug addiction necessarily get into situations where they have to be incarcerated, but it’s a higher probability that that occurs. So they’re literally taking all these people 67% of these graduates taking them out of being potentially in the system. And once you get in the system is the recidivism rate for incarceration is very low. So it’s like, we’re saving millions and millions and millions of dollars by contributing to this program. So let’s talk about our community’s contribution through the events that you have.

ADRIENNE:
Yes. So with Habilitat that we talked about the program, you guys have different workforces that you offer within Habilitat.

ATTILIO:
Yeah. Lots of services because I lived here all my life. So you guys program started when I was like, four years old. And I and even living here all my life, I was amazed at all the different things that you guys do even living here because I know Oh, yeah, I know about Habilitat.

What do you hire a Habilitat worker that does, let’s just go through all the different things that you guys do about the services

that you guys provide?

KA’IEWE:
Definitely, first off, I wanted to say I can’t believe that you’re four years old in 1971, my goodness, where you are in a day over 41. As far as our services go, we have amazing services, we hold ourselves to the highest expectation. We have landscaping services, we do any kind of fencing, especially, we specialize and work with the supplier on Oahu, best vinyl, and we do vinyl fencing. We do amazing work. We also do remodeling, home remodeling, small remodels, whatever it may be, but we definitely put our all into what we do. And those are just some of the small services. So anything from landscaping, remodeling and fencing, we’re definitely a great option to choose people who need work done.

ADRIENNE:                                                             So you want to go to habilitat.com and contact them there and inquire about the services if you need a new fence or some maybe some remodeling done. Or landscaping,

ATTILIO:
landscaping yard services. You guys are good for that too. And

KA’IEWE:
Definitely, yeah,

ADRIENNE:
let’s talk about the culinary I think that’s really important. What you guys are providing every day to other nonprofits. Yeah, let everybody know

ATTILIO:
what organizations you guys are supplying meals for.

KA’IEWE:
So we have an amazing culinary department we are currently supplying Oahu Meals on Wheels for the east side for the kupuna on the east side of the island over here. We’re also supplying all the meals to the US VETS program all in Kapolei. And we currently picked up new contracts with the Waianae homeless shelter, so we’re supplying meals out there as well as CER so currently with a family everyone provides our culinary department makes about 950 plus meals a day

ATTILIO:
including kitchen, including for you guys on South,

KA’IEWE:
including for the whole family here. So that’s 110 meals times three times a day, plus all the meals that we send off the facility.

ATTILIO:
Wow, hearing that is making me tired. Hungry. But that’s good because it’s, you know, you keep people moving and and one last thing and we talked about on our live stream, describe to people what about what describe to people what your day looks like.

KA’IEWE:
What my day looks like is I wake up around 430 In the morning, I get ready, I do aerobics, get the morning workout in that kind of starts prepares me for my day, you get up my iron my clothes, I start work at 825 I finish at around 4:55pm. And then after that we do other responsibilities, because it’s not just our vocational training that we do. But the house as a whole is our responsibility. You know, this property needs to be taken care of things need to be managed and coordinated. So we’re all cross trained as far as our vocational training, and then our role and duty in our therapeutic community here and in the house as a whole.

ADRIENNE:
And then, do you guys all have like cell phones and are on like social media? Social media

ATTILIO: 
playing Xbox all day? Yeah.

KA’IEWE: 
I wish we definitely do not have that. It’s all working with each other. You know, we? Yeah, it’s your mentoring. And we just teach the next person what we’ve learned as we progress through the program. So it’s all interaction all day every day, I think. And then a

ADRIENNE: 
lot of reading too. Is it a library? Yeah.

KA’IEWE: 
I think we have a very nice library. Yeah.

ATTILIO: 
I think you should guys should start when adolescent teen program just for the addiction that these kids nowadays have video game addiction. Yeah, that would be amazing. Because we are in a day and age where we’re so connected. We’re disconnected. And you guys are doing what is what we did. Back when I was growing up, looking at each other in the eyes, having conversations with each other and connecting so right on. It’s good stuff. Yeah. All right. Let’s get to the events. We’ve got first off right now he’s going on his online auction. That’s right. What’s up with that? Tell us about it.

KA’IEWE: 
We do have our online auction. It’s gonna be the best year yet we have some amazing items from Hotel packages to artwork to sports equipment to tools, you name it, we got it. And it’s gonna be a huge event. It starts on July 1, and I believe it’s gonna run all the way to the end of July where all the recipients who who win their their items are going to come to the facility get to see it and pick them up over here.

ATTILIO: 
So for us, what do we donate Adrienne?

ADRIENNE: 
We donate to luxury cruise for two luxury cruise for

ATTILIO: 
two what it is is this Lyft driver named Bob who’s gonna pick you up on cruise your own wine night. Not a cruise ship carnival. Yeah, it’s Carnival cruises. Port fees. Taxes are paid for.

ADRIENNE: 
You just got to get there. The food there. That’s

ATTILIO: 
it. Gerunds Will beringian come off this thing. 20 pounds heavier, but it’s 20 pounds of fun. Because this is all you can find. That’s what they have. Fine. Or you can find on this on these Carnival Cruise we’ve been on on their fun.

ADRIENNE: 
And then this is a tax write off, right? Because, you know, you’re, you’re supporting a great cause. So all of these items you could buy and write it off as a donation.

ATTILIO: 
So I’m calling out all the businesses, you guys still take donations for some prizes. Still.

KA’IEWE: 
We are definitely taking donations and we would love to help anyone who is looking for a tax write off and really just wants to support a great cause and help people change their life.

ATTILIO:
Okay, so I’m speaking at the dealership, Jan Jan and dealership, they’re gonna donate one Lamborghini maybe showing one Maserati SUV, Maserati. Let’s see what else we’re gonna have like, No, I just call it out all these businesses.

ADRIENNE: 
So I would say that this is like a super important part of their program is the fundraising. Yeah, right. I mean, you guys have the services that helped to support the facility. But how much of a role does the fundraising play in the program?

ATTILIO:
Where does all your guys money come from? Do you have a rough idea that breakdown of the pie.

KA’IEWE:
I believe that different vocational training are our biggest ones, our services department, our fundraising department, and their culinary department all together, working together. We’re kind of, I believe, kind of equal as far as the revenue that comes in. But we definitely play a huge role because we’re able to stay connected with the outside world and keep the word of Habilitat and what we’re doing here live which is why I was to come in here. And it’s an opportunity that I’m really grateful for.

ATTILIO: 
You said something very important. You said, I chose to be here. And you choose to be there every day. This is not like because words matter. Yeah, Words matter. And that when you guys went to this program that I’ve seen you guys interviewed departments pretty, it’s pretty intense. You guys, just don’t let anybody

ADRIENNE: 
go back to this interview department. Let’s talk about that.

KA’IEWE: 
What’s that? Definitely, it’s definitely an intense process, you have to continue following up, you have to write letters, took me about 10 months to get in here. And I had to be consistent call every week and then follow the process, you know, you have to be committed to change. And once they feel that you are in You ready, and you come in, and they explain the details of what’s expected. Then you’re in and then once you’re in, you’re part of the family.

ADRIENNE: 
Nice. And then 2 and a half years, is the length of the program. And then after, after that, what’s next? What’s that? What’s the next step? Yeah.

KA’IEWE: 
So after two and a half years, if you choose to graduate, then what they do is ability, it helps you to make sure you have a full time job that you’re gainfully employed and that you have safe housing. We recently in the last year since I’ve been here, we have two transitional houses, one in Kaneohe and one in Aiea, we call them staff houses, where it kind of we pay rent, and we’re able to, you know, make sure we have a job. And they really rush to success. When we get out of here. It’s not like they just cut you off and say, Okay, good job, you’re done. Get out of here, you know, it’s, it really makes sure that you’re well set up and they follow up with you make sure everything is going well.

ADRIENNE: 
So with this transitional phase, it sounds like maybe some businesses on the outside world are out here in Hawaii, they would need to be open, to

ATTILIO: 
bring it to bring individuals that are, like you said, committed to growth. And I think people coming from your situation. I think I mean, correct me if I’m wrong. I don’t know, I don’t have your perspective. But are you more appreciative of going into the world and having something that’s just safe and consistent and and being somebody that you know, you’re sustainable financially? Is that something you’re more appreciative coming out of this program?

KA’IEWE:
I’m so appreciative. As you guys said, we don’t have social media, cell phones, anything like that. And it really made me appreciate the small things, the small things in life. So leaving here, with that sense of security, knowing that I have this place, they have my back. And they’re looking, they’re looking out for me, and I can always reach out for help if I need it, knowing that I have that safety net. Yeah, I mean, really just boosts my confidence and makes me feel ready to pursue anything that I set my mind to.

ATTILIO: 
I think too, that hasn’t been the success of you guys program is that you don’t go in there for the day and then come back home. You live there you live there. 24/7. Correct.

KA’IEWE: 
We sure do. Yeah, we sure do.

ADRIENNE: 
and it’s a beautiful place to live. Yeah, we’ve gotten to visit there several times. And it’s, it’s just, it’s amazing.

ATTILIO:
You know, and I’ll call out to the business people that have maybe some skill sets or some things that they can teach on. You guys are more than open to having business people from the community come in there, teach a class, bring some resources, you know, been down there, I think what they’re gonna twice that went twice. Yeah, yeah, twice. And I’ll be back again, I’ll be back again. And you know, you guys see you get a lot out of it. But I tell you, I get just as much out of it from coming down there and seeing all you guys and, you know, I’ll tell you right now you business out people out there in the community teaching classes outside this community. I will tell you, I have taught and spoken a ton of times, I’ve never seen more committed attentive, like completely in the moment people in that classroom than any of the classes I’ve ever taught.

ADRIENNE: 
Yeah, super engaged, asking really good questions, taking notes, and then actually executing on some of these things from like, the first visit to the second or second visit. It was it was so refreshing to hear that, you know, some of these concepts were put into place right away. Yeah. So good job to you guys. Good job.

KA’IEWE:
Definitely. Some of my good friends told me that the smartest people take notes, when other smart people are around. So that advice to heart make sure I did that. Yeah.

ADRIENNE: 
So you have the online this online auction. Yeah. And then you have some other fundraising opportunities throughout the year. Let’s touch on those too. Yeah,

KA’IEWE:
we have our drive thru haunted house coming up in a few months. And that’s going to be at Aloha stadium. Once again, it may be the last year but we’re going to try to do it bigger than ever. This year. We have some amazing Support for that as well.

ATTILIO: 
Yeah, and I gave him the theme is called, we’re gonna scare the cash out of you.

KA’IEWE:
Yes. I didn’t want to steal your line. I was just gonna say they’re gonna say Beware though if you call me and drive through, we might just scare the cash it but I figured I’d let you see Yeah.

ATTILIO: 
All the time. And

ADRIENNE: 
and then you guys of course during the Christmas time you have the trees, and then we’re ways out with that but, you know throughout the year you’re constantly bringing awareness and fundraising, you know because it’s, you want to have enough funds to help as many people as you can.

ATTILIO: 
Yeah. But I would say the immediate way that people can businesses you know, we get a lot of realtors that listen to our program you Realtors I’m talking to you come closer come closer to the radio, or whatever you listening to call them if your clients need fencing, need landscaping, needs some small kitchen remodel, call them and get a quote. What would it hurt to do that? And I will tell you the dollar now that you don’t want to use the other people too but with this one, it’s it’s it’s a big ROI on the dollar spent for our community putting the program Yeah. And, and I think you’re gonna get a good quality job. Those guys you said they’re on job site 7am. Boom. Ready to work? Yes. Super

ADRIENNE: 
accountable. Yep. Yeah,

ATTILIO: 
I think it would be awesome to do business with you guys. And we’ve got to get something going. Because I know that, you know, as it’s as the market is busy and people a lot of people are calling and asking for things. We hear this from clients all the time. It’s hard to get people to show up. But I know that accountability is your main theme. And you guys do show up.

ADRIENNE:
I’ve got an idea for you guys for another service to offer. Yeah. AC repair.

ATTILIO:
Yeah, you guys gotta get some AC technicians. Yeah. People are hard to get ahold of

ADRIENNE:
are Yeah. So maybe like, you know, talk to your supervisors and say, how do we get this AC repair division?

ATTILIO: 
How about this, I we’re gonna we’re gonna spark you, I’m gonna take that and I’m gonna dovetail on top of that AC business out there. You want old guy you tired? You’re getting ready for retire. Come start one workforce with these guys. When training program. They’re gonna you know what they do. They do this weird thing. They show up on time and they show up and they take notes. And they take notes and they’re dedicated to the program. And and I’ll tell you, that’s the biggest struggle that people have with labor in the service industry is people showing up on time and showing up at all.

ADRIENNE: 
And then I know that you guys have you know, people that come from other islands. Yeah. So one of our partner agents who have on kawaii said that it was like six months for her to get her AC repaired. Yeah, six months. Yeah. So you go back to your neighbor island? And? Well, that’s the idea. Yeah.

KA’IEWE:
I’ll definitely pass that idea to the higher ups. Yeah, maybe

ATTILIO:
come from both ends. Because I think it would be a perfect partnership with an existing AC company to just either sell their company to you guys, or let you guys take it over or maybe get some residual. You know, it’d be a succession plan for the retiring HVAC guy. What would be the game plan? So you got one uncle out there is ready for retire?

ADRIENNE: 
Well, my. So my AC has broken twice in the last, I don’t know, four months. And each time it took well over a week to have someone come out. And then we have a client right now that was you know, trying to get an AC guy out. And like just No, like, zero response. Yeah, he’s the they said they were coming. But then zero communication. And I know was a you know, with Habilitat. That’s, that’s not how they that’s not how they roll. They’re excellent communicators.

KA’IEWE: 
Definitely.

ATTILIO: 
All right. Thank you so much for being on

KA’IEWE: 
thank you guys so much. It’s been awesome. A pleasure. As always

ATTILIO: 
one if there’s anything else that are any other questions or topics we could have covered with you anything else before we let you get on with your day?

KA’IEWE: 
No. You guys are awesome. He had all the key points. I’m I’m excited.

ADRIENNE:
We’re excited for this online auction and to hear how much that you guys are able to raise.

ATTILIO: 
Yeah, so everybody go right now, habilitat.com. There’s no audio on there. So you can do this at work your boss can find out or maybe your boss you know, maybe a boss you be making donations to you know, so here, here, I’m gonna give it to you. The the, it’s called for benefit marketing you businesses out there. And when consumers cannot tell the difference between your product or service between you and your competitor 95% of the time, they choose which one, Adrienne and why

ADRIENNE: 
the business that is giving back to the community. Yeah, the one that would make donation when I felt good about doing

ATTILIO: 
things on your website, you know, talk about them on your Instagram, your Facebook, your Tiktok, all that good stuff. Let the consumers know you’re giving back to the community and I can’t think of a better way than with Habilitat.

ADRIENNE:
right Well, thank you. Thank you so much for

KA’IEWE: 
thank you guys so much. Definitely guys have a wonderful day. Okay.

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