Latest news with #Ka
Daily Record
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Gardeners amazed by before-and-after results of patio cleaner with £100 off
The Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless Patio Cleaner is already more than £90 off, but shoppers can save an extra £15 with the discount code PC15. The arrival of lovely weather means many Brits are spending additional time in their gardens, with some noticing that their cherished green spaces could use a little rejuvenation. For garden enthusiasts facing the challenge of overgrown weeds and moss, Ryobi is offering significant savings on its cordless patio cleaner, slashing over £100 off the price. Ryobi's 18V ONE+ Cordless Patio Cleaner has already been reduced by more than £90, but with the promo code PC15, customers can enjoy an extra £15 off. This offer lowers the cost to £114.99, although the discount is set to end on June 13. According to Ryobi, the device presents a convenient solution for pristine patios free from the hassle of tangled wires, with customers commending it for "saving time". The wire brush operates at 1,350 rpm, and is adept at quickly clearing away unwanted weeds, moss, and grass from patios, pathways, and drives 'in seconds'. This tool eliminates bending or scraping, enabling users to pull the trigger and let the wire brush do the work, targeting areas between bricks and slabs. The battery-powered cleaner boasts an operation time of 32 minutes per charge and recharges fully in just 60 minutes. At a mere 3.3kg, the patio cleaner should be easy to manoeuvre and features an extendable pole, making height adjustment simple to accommodate all users, promising ergonomic ease. Moreover, the overmould grip provides additional comfort during extended use, reports the Mirror. Ryobi has innovated a gadget with a user-friendly handle, ensuring straightforward and compact storage to maximise space in your shed or garage, alongside a gentler nylon brush for scrubbing surfaces like sandstone or tile. The Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless Patio Cleaner has garnered an outstanding 4.6-star rating based on over 4,900 reviews, with 90 per cent being four or five stars. This triumphs over the 3.8-star rated Flymo 18V EasiWeeder KIT, which though it has a longer runtime by an additional 15 minutes, comes with a heftier price tag of £133.99. For those not shy about spending a little more, the Kärcher WRE 18-55 cordless weed remover is also an option, priced at £204.98 when purchased alongside a Kärcher 18V battery. Praising the Ryobi cordless patio cleaner, customers have labelled it an 'excellent tool', noting its effectiveness in saving time and alleviating back pain. One highly satisfied customer shared in their five-star review: "A great tool that takes a lot of the pain out of removing weeds in the joints of patios and driveways." Another appreciative buyer commented: "Excellent tool that saves time and your back. Wish I bought one years ago." However, while giving it a four-star rating, they pointed out a minor snag, remarking: "It works very well, apart from the difficulty in removing the battery to charge it." Yet another pleased customer reported it "makes light, quick work of clearing the weeds from block paving and stone paving". Another agreed: "Very good, saves a lot of time and having to bend down to get weeds up." Available at a reduced price of £114.99 with the promo code PC15, the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless Patio Cleaner is a much-talked-about solution.
Arabian Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Hong Kong at Maritime Crossroads: New Studies Reveal Unprecedented Opportunity for Kickstarting the Blue Economy
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 May 2025 –In a rare convergence of economic and environmental expertise, three landmark studies released today by ADM Capital Foundation, HKUST and WWF-Hong Kong,presenting a transformative vision—Hong Kong can reinvent itself as Asia's premier blue economy hub. The reports—Port 1.0 to Port 2.0 (HKUST), Blue Finance for a Blue Economy (ADMCF), and Valuing the Invaluable Blue (WWF-Hong Kong)—all agree that the city has a unique opportunity in this moment, wherein: Global shipping reforms are creating openings for blue finance leadership are creating openings for blue finance leadership Port redevelopments can integrate ecological and economic value can integrate ecological and economic value Marine ecosystems, long undervalued, are essential to regional prosperity and resilience Global shipping reforms – IMOs net zero emission and carbon pricing mandate will force fleet upgrades, fuel transitions and new financial risks. In parallel, the UN has announced an ambitious biodiversity framework to be achieved by 2030. Hong Kong, itself, is striving to re-assert itself as a maritime powerhouse. This alignment, the authors propose, creates an unprecedented opportunity to transform the city into Asia's sustainable blue economy leader. At the heart of this transformation lies 'Port 2.0' – a visionary reimagining of Hong Kong's waters as a multifunctional interface that connects sea, land, city, technology and people, and serve as platforms for innovation, environmental stewardship and civic life. ADVERTISEMENT 'What makes this moment truly extraordinary is how these elements intersect with Hong Kong's unique advantages. Our world-class financial ecosystem can mobilise the billions needed for maritime decarbonisation. Our strategic location positions us as the natural hub for green shipping business in Asia. And our existing port infrastructure provides the ideal testing ground for innovative solutions.' said Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment at HKUST and author of the paper 'From Port 1.0 to Port 2.0: Hong Kong's Next Leap to Evolving a Blue Economy Vision'. Hong Kong's status as the world's third-largest capital hub gives it unmatched potential to pioneer blue finance. As ADMCF's Blue Finance report highlights, instruments such as blue bonds can mobilise capital to facilitate port decarbonisation, sustainable aquaculture and marine eco-tourism—transforming the city into Asia's premier blue economy hub, aligning marine protection with economic prosperity. In 2023 there was a surge in blue bonds followed by continued growth in 2024, and Asia was the largest issuing region—led by China. 'If Hong Kong were to issue blue bonds, this would not only signal the city's commitment to improving its status as a leading international maritime hub but also accelerate the growth of blue finance, ensuring a future where economic prosperity and marine resilience go hand in hand,' said Kate Martin, the report's lead author and sustainable finance consultant with ADMCF. This untapped potential aligns with the groundbreaking research in Valuing the Invaluable Blue. The WWF-commissioned study by the Chinese Academy of Sciences has, for the first time, quantified the staggering monetary value of the Greater Bay Area's coastal ecosystems—revealing a Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) worth RMB 4.9 trillion, equivalent to over 35% of the GBA's GDP, with 73% contributed by marine ecosystems. 'This valuation demonstrates our marine ecosystems' critical, yet often overlooked, economic contributions,' said Lydia Pang, Head of Oceans Conservation at WWF-Hong Kong. 'From climate regulation to disaster mitigation, these natural systems provide services worth over one-third of our regional GDP – services that should be factored into development decisions and anchor blue economy planning,' she said. 'What's more, our study shows that Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to adopt this ecosystem accounting framework. With strong data foundations, policy alignment, and technical readiness, we can localise and institutionalise marine GEP accounting to guide planning, investment, and conservation.' ADVERTISEMENT The authors' combined focus on a blue economy vision integrates port development with marine conservation, biodiversity, climate resilience, recreation and the responsible use of ocean resources. It builds on China's decades of marine policy leadership, where comprehensive frameworks – from ocean GEP systems to blue finance instruments – have laid the foundation for sustainable maritime development. 'The window to developing a sustainable blue economy and to establish ourselves as the global leader in sustainable maritime commerce is open now, but won't remain so indefinitely.' Said Sophie le Clue, CEO at ADMCF. 'The question isn't whether we can seize this opportunity, but whether we will.' Hashtag: #ADMCapitalFoundation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Wales Online
'No smear' gadget that 'saves money on a window cleaner' is almost half price on Amazon
'No smear' gadget that 'saves money on a window cleaner' is almost half price on Amazon Time to get those windows and shower doors sparkling clean with minimum effort One cleaning job that can be a lot easier and now at a lower price too (Image: Karcher / Amazon ) If you're feeling the urge for a spring clean inside and out, Amazon has cut the price of this Kärcher Window Vac from £79.99 to just £45.99. This gadget is ideal for window cleaning; simply spray over the glass and it works by sucking up water and condensation. Running the vacuum in lines down your windows should leave them clear and streak-free according the manufacturer's description especially if you use the microfibre cloth that comes with the window vac. The dirty water tank can be easily emptied during or after cleaning without coming into contact with any contaminated water in the process. For more home and garden content sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here READ MORE: 'Perfect' extra large outdoor summer blanket reduced by 15% for a limited time YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 'Superb' robot lawnmower that's 'simple to use' now reduced by £160 for limited time on Amazon Works in the shower too according to happy buyers (Image: Karcher / Amazon ) The product also comes with the standard suction nozzle (280 mm) is suitable for large glass surfaces, the small one (170 mm) is optimal for narrow areas like lattice and Georgian windows, as well as a charger. The versatile Window Vac can be used for a variety of household cleaning tasks, as one customer said, 'It's absolutely brilliant at cleaning windows, mirrors and shower screens'. Another buyer remarked, 'I was a bit sceptical, I used an old squeegee before, and that did the job, but I have to say this is better. It actually removes the dirt and liquid, leaving the glass clean and streak-free. Comes with two suction heads and a cleaning cloth (Image: Karcher / Amazon ) The product is described as 'light' and 'very quiet', designed to make window cleaning an 'effortless' task, but if you're after something a bit more budget-friendly, Dunelm is offering this TOWER Cordless Window Vacuum for £30, which has received a 4.8 overall rating from 23 online reviewing customers and is said to 'clear condensation quickly'. For an even more budget-friendly way of getting those panes perfect, Argos is selling the Kleeneze 2 in 1 Telescopic Window Cleaning Set for £15. But the Kärcher Window Vac available from Amazon has been the earning its own accolades too, with 6,758 five-star rating producing 951 fie-star written reviews from online shoppers. However, the product didn't win everyone over completely, with a less satisfied shopper noting that the battery life is limited to '35 minutes maximum'. Two fittings mean you can cleaner smaller windows easily too (Image: Karcher / Amazon ) Article continues below One particularly satisfied customer shared, 'I don't normally write reviews cause I'm lazy! But not lazy enough to want dirty windows and this makes sure I don't have them! It's such a good product, easy to use, does a really good job and after a couple of uses it pays for itself and saves me money on a window cleaner! Would highly recommend.' Another buyer commented, 'So pleased with this I should have bought this a lot earlier. So easy to use cuts down the cleaning time. Need to have a cloth handy to wipe the corners apart from that it's amazing. No smears'.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maui housing project receives largest wave of wildfire survivors to date
The largest wave of displaced Maui fire survivors, who are losing their temporary hotel housing this month, will move into Ka La 'i Ola, a modular housing project mauka of the Lahaina Civic Center designed specifically for survivors who are ineligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. The first residents moved into the community Aug. 9, a year and one day after the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires killed 102 people. The first large group of residents moved into the project in December when they had to be out of FEMA-provided Maui hotels and could not afford the cost of market -rate rents, which continue to go up since the fires destroyed nearly 4, 000 structures, most of them homes. But even more families—about eight per week—are expected to move into Ka La 'i Ola this month, when they also have to be out of their hotels, said Ka La 'i Ola's new director, Cesar Martinez, who escaped the chaos of the Lahaina inferno. As of Friday, 226 households totaling 635 people had moved into 240 units that vary in size from 260-square-foot studios to 960-square-foot three-bedroom homes. The residents include 14 multi-generational families—from grandparents to grandchildren—who often live together in neighborhood 'pods ' but in their own different-size homes. All 450 units have been erected but await inspection before the last of an expected 1, 500 occupants can move into the units. They will live rent-free until September, when builder HomeAid Hawaii has said it will begin charging below-market rent. Rental pricing has yet to be set. Kimo Carvalho, HomeAid Hawaii's executive director, said, 'The goal is cheap affordability.' Ka La 'i Ola represents Gov. Josh Green's original promise that all fire survivors would receive help rebuilding their lives even if they were not eligible for FEMA assistance. They're ineligible for a long list of reasons : They rented a room or rooms in Lahaina but had no lease to prove residency ; had old driver's licenses that were not updated with a Lahaina address to prove they were living there at the time of the fires ; or were earning too much income—but not enough to pay for market -rate rent. The fires disrupted the lives of thousands of survivors, including creating economic uncertainty for people who lost jobs while they faced higher rents. So for people like the residents moving into Ka La 'i Ola, Carvalho said, 'those who were once in the middle class fell into poverty.' Among the grateful residents of Ka La 'i Ola are Jason Hayase, 49 ; his daughters Tayler Peligrino-Hayase, 23, and Alexis Peligrino-Hayase, 17, who is graduating this month from Lahaina-luna High School ; and Hayase's 5-year-old granddaughter, Taylor Quinn Hayase. His son, Leland Hayase, lives in his own studio unit nearby while Jason Hayase, his daughters and granddaughter live in a three-bedroom, two-bathroom modular home that's bigger—and temporarily rent-free—than the one-bedroom apartment they were living in that was destroyed. 'Everybody has their own bedroom now, ' Jason Hayase said. 'We're really, really thankful for the housing.' Everyone in his family grew up in Lahaina, including his parents, his wife—who died in 2021 of colon cancer—and her family. They don't want to leave, and hope to see Lahaina rebuilt. But there are daily reminders of what they lived through, including using the nearby cane haul road that they used to escape the flames. Every day, they also see the site of Jason Hayase's parents' house, which was destroyed. 'We live right above Grandma's burned home, ' Alexis Peligrino-Hayase said. 'We drive past her house every day.' They fled Lahaina in a cramped Toyota Sequoia that contained five people and a dog, with only overnight bags. Left behind were all their important documents, their mother's ashes and everything else they owned. As Lahaina went up in flames, Jason Hayase went back in, fighting through traffic, to try to retrieve his wife's ashes, only to see their apartment building in flames. In the aftermath, following everything they went through, everyone in the family continues to process their feelings differently. 'I tell my kids we're fighters, ' Hayase said. 'We've been through the worst already by losing Mom. The fire was something else, but not like losing Mom.' Alexis Peligrino-Hayase still hasn't fully processed all that's happened. 'Honestly, I'm not sure how I coped with it, ' she said. 'In a way, I'm kind of numb to it. I'm trying to stay positive, and I'm graduating and plan to go to UH (the University of Hawaii at Manoa ), possibly studying psychology or business, I'm not sure.' But they appreciate the new home and community they've found at Ka La 'i Ola. When he first got the keys in December, Jason Hayase said, 'it was like a Christmas gift to us.' Housing vision Ka La 'i Ola represents the latest partnership between the state and HomeAid Hawaii, the nonprofit hui of Hawaii builders, contractors and architects that continues to build Green's vision of 'kauhale ' communities to provide permanent housing for homeless people across the state. The Hawaii Community Foundation, which coordinates and helps Hawaii's nonprofit organizations, provided the largest source of funding for Ka La 'i Ola. An emergency proclamation issued by Green allowing for exemptions like permitting saved the project $14 million, and labor and material savings through HomeAid Hawaii dropped the overall cost to $185 million from well over $200 million, Carvalho said. Union construction workers were paid in full, but their employers ate some of the payroll to further keep costs down, Carvalho said. And companies such as Matson also discounted the cost of shipping to help make the project affordable, he said. 'For what we've accomplished, I am proud of where we landed on the cost, ' Carvalho said. Except for a slope and overgrown brush, he said, 'There was literally nothing there. We had to dynamite blue rock, trench it out, crush the blue rock into gravel and then reuse it to keep costs down. I don't think any developer could have achieved what we have achieved.' Ka La 'i Ola was created out of 57 acres of 'dirt, rock, brush, nothing, ' Carvalho said. There was no water, sewer, electricity or even a paved road to provide access. A nearby dirt cane haul road that had been blocked by a gate was pressed into service as an emergency evacuation route as the fire destroyed Lahaina while thousands of people were trapped in gridlock while embers rained down on their vehicles. The road is now paved and provides the main road into and out of Ka La 'i Ola. Martinez and several residents, who used the cane haul road to get out of Lahaina during the wildfires, now drive on it every day and are reminded of how they escaped with their lives. The property is owned by the Hawai 'i Housing Finance & Development Corp., which leases it to the state Department of Human Services for use by the interim housing community. The lease ends June 30, 2029, and the land will be turned over to the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to provide homes for Native Hawaiians on the DHHL waitlist. Until then it is intended to provide interim housing to allow residents to remain in Lahaina and figure out their next steps as Lahaina continues to rebuild. 'We keep hearing, 'I just want to go home, '' Carvalho said. Creating community HomeAid used Green's kauhale concept to encourage community interaction to create Ka La 'i Ola 'pods '—or clusters of different-size homes that face each other. Research shows that having a sense of community reduces stress and anxiety and reduces the risk of physical issues like heart attacks, Carvalho said. Ka La 'i Ola has been built within walking distance of the Lahaina Civic Center, so residents can attend regular updates on the recovery effort. Community playgrounds are planned for the site, which already has communal barbecue areas, a community Easter gathering and mental health counselors who visit residents. The Maui Food Bank also distributes food, and a mobile veterinary clinic treats residents' pets. A job fair and financial literacy classes are planned to help residents prepare for their next chapters. Martinez wants to learn financial literacy so he can one day buy a house of his own. Everyone at Ka La 'i Ola, including Martinez, continues to deal with the trauma of the wildfires and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. He lost the two-bedroom, one-bath ohana unit he rented with his girlfriend and three children for $2, 500 a month—along with his 2010 Jeep Patriot and his job as a district manager for Ulu Lani Shave Ice, which was destroyed in the inferno. His three children also lost their school, historic King Kamehameha III Elementary. Before Ulu Lani, Martinez worked as the food and beverage manager and spa manager at the Montage Hotel. But he could not return to work smiling and serving tourists after the tragedy. 'We all lived through it, so we tried to stay away from tourists taking pictures of the burn zone and people parking in people's driveways, ' Martinez said. 'I knew I wanted to be part of the solution and not part of the problem, and help Lahaina rebuild.' Martinez specifically wanted to help survivors like himself and got hired in January as the new director at Ka La 'i Ola, which included a three-bedroom, two-bath modular home for him and his girlfriend, sons ages 9 and 8, and 4-year-old daughter. At the age of 41, Martinez called working with the residents of Ka La 'i Ola 'one of the biggest blessings to come out of the fire.' 'I can hands down say this is the best job I've ever had, ' he said. 'I've never been told 'God bless you' so many times in my life. When you give someone the keys, they know they have a home here until 2029.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maui community receives largest wave of wildfire survivors to date
The largest wave of displaced Maui fire survivors, who are losing their temporary hotel housing this month, will move into Ka La 'i Ola, a modular housing project mauka of the Lahaina Civic Center designed specifically for survivors who are ineligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. The first residents moved into the community Aug. 9, a year and one day after the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires killed 102 people. The first large group of residents moved into the project in December when they had to be out of FEMA-provided Maui hotels and could not afford the cost of market -rate rents, which continue to go up since the fires destroyed nearly 4, 000 structures, most of them homes. But even more families—about eight per week—are expected to move into Ka La 'i Ola this month, when they also have to be out of their hotels, said Ka La 'i Ola's new director, Cesar Martinez, who escaped the chaos of the Lahaina inferno. As of Friday, 226 households totaling 635 people had moved into 240 units that vary in size from 260-square-foot studios to 960-square-foot three-bedroom homes. The residents include 14 multi-generational families—from grandparents to grandchildren—who often live together in neighborhood 'pods ' but in their own different-size homes. All 450 units have been erected but await inspection before the last of an expected 1, 500 occupants can move into the units. They will live rent-free until September, when builder HomeAid Hawaii has said it will begin charging below-market rent. Rental pricing has yet to be set. Kimo Carvalho, HomeAid Hawaii's executive director, said, 'The goal is cheap affordability.' Ka La 'i Ola represents Gov. Josh Green's original promise that all fire survivors would receive help rebuilding their lives even if they were not eligible for FEMA assistance. They're ineligible for a long list of reasons : They rented a room or rooms in Lahaina but had no lease to prove residency ; had old driver's licenses that were not updated with a Lahaina address to prove they were living there at the time of the fires ; or were earning too much income—but not enough to pay for market -rate rent. The fires disrupted the lives of thousands of survivors, including creating economic uncertainty for people who lost jobs while they faced higher rents. So for people like the residents moving into Ka La 'i Ola, Carvalho said, 'those who were once in the middle class fell into poverty.' Among the grateful residents of Ka La 'i Ola are Jason Hayase, 49 ; his daughters Tayler Peligrino-Hayase, 23, and Alexis Peligrino-Hayase, 17, who is graduating this month from Lahaina-luna High School ; and Hayase's 5-year-old granddaughter, Taylor Quinn Hayase. His son, Leland Hayase, lives in his own studio unit nearby while Jason Hayase, his daughters and granddaughter live in a three-bedroom, two-bathroom modular home that's bigger—and temporarily rent-free—than the one-bedroom apartment they were living in that was destroyed. 'Everybody has their own bedroom now, ' Jason Hayase said. 'We're really, really thankful for the housing.' Everyone in his family grew up in Lahaina, including his parents, his wife—who died in 2021 of colon cancer—and her family. They don't want to leave, and hope to see Lahaina rebuilt. But there are daily reminders of what they lived through, including using the nearby cane haul road that they used to escape the flames. Every day, they also see the site of Jason Hayase's parents' house, which was destroyed. 'We live right above Grandma's burned home, ' Alexis Peligrino-Hayase said. 'We drive past her house every day.' They fled Lahaina in a cramped Toyota Sequoia that contained five people and a dog, with only overnight bags. Left behind were all their important documents, their mother's ashes and everything else they owned. As Lahaina went up in flames, Jason Hayase went back in, fighting through traffic, to try to retrieve his wife's ashes, only to see their apartment building in flames. In the aftermath, following everything they went through, everyone in the family continues to process their feelings differently. 'I tell my kids we're fighters, ' Hayase said. 'We've been through the worst already by losing Mom. The fire was something else, but not like losing Mom.' Alexis Peligrino-Hayase still hasn't fully processed all that's happened. 'Honestly, I'm not sure how I coped with it, ' she said. 'In a way, I'm kind of numb to it. I'm trying to stay positive, and I'm graduating and plan to go to UH (the University of Hawaii at Manoa ), possibly studying psychology or business, I'm not sure.' But they appreciate the new home and community they've found at Ka La 'i Ola. When he first got the keys in December, Jason Hayase said, 'it was like a Christmas gift to us.' Housing vision Ka La 'i Ola represents the latest partnership between the state and HomeAid Hawaii, the nonprofit hui of Hawaii builders, contractors and architects that continues to build Green's vision of 'kauhale ' communities to provide permanent housing for homeless people across the state. The Hawaii Community Foundation, which coordinates and helps Hawaii's nonprofit organizations, provided the largest source of funding for Ka La 'i Ola. An emergency proclamation issued by Green allowing for exemptions like permitting saved the project $14 million, and labor and material savings through HomeAid Hawaii dropped the overall cost to $185 million from well over $200 million, Carvalho said. Union construction workers were paid in full, but their employers ate some of the payroll to further keep costs down, Carvalho said. And companies such as Matson also discounted the cost of shipping to help make the project affordable, he said. 'For what we've accomplished, I am proud of where we landed on the cost, ' Carvalho said. Except for a slope and overgrown brush, he said, 'There was literally nothing there. We had to dynamite blue rock, trench it out, crush the blue rock into gravel and then reuse it to keep costs down. I don't think any developer could have achieved what we have achieved.' Ka La 'i Ola was created out of 57 acres of 'dirt, rock, brush, nothing, ' Carvalho said. There was no water, sewer, electricity or even a paved road to provide access. A nearby dirt cane haul road that had been blocked by a gate was pressed into service as an emergency evacuation route as the fire destroyed Lahaina while thousands of people were trapped in gridlock while embers rained down on their vehicles. The road is now paved and provides the main road into and out of Ka La 'i Ola. Martinez and several residents, who used the cane haul road to get out of Lahaina during the wildfires, now drive on it every day and are reminded of how they escaped with their lives. The property is owned by the Hawai 'i Housing Finance & Development Corp., which leases it to the state Department of Human Services for use by the interim housing community. The lease ends June 30, 2029, and the land will be turned over to the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to provide homes for Native Hawaiians on the DHHL waitlist. Until then it is intended to provide interim housing to allow residents to remain in Lahaina and figure out their next steps as Lahaina continues to rebuild. 'We keep hearing, 'I just want to go home, '' Carvalho said. Creating community HomeAid used Green's kauhale concept to encourage community interaction to create Ka La 'i Ola 'pods '—or clusters of different-size homes that face each other. Research shows that having a sense of community reduces stress and anxiety and reduces the risk of physical issues like heart attacks, Carvalho said. Ka La 'i Ola has been built within walking distance of the Lahaina Civic Center, so residents can attend regular updates on the recovery effort. Community playgrounds are planned for the site, which already has communal barbecue areas, a community Easter gathering and mental health counselors who visit residents. The Maui Food Bank also distributes food, and a mobile veterinary clinic treats residents' pets. A job fair and financial literacy classes are planned to help residents prepare for their next chapters. Martinez wants to learn financial literacy so he can one day buy a house of his own. Everyone at Ka La 'i Ola, including Martinez, continues to deal with the trauma of the wildfires and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. He lost the two-bedroom, one-bath ohana unit he rented with his girlfriend and three children for $2, 500 a month—along with his 2010 Jeep Patriot and his job as a district manager for Ulu Lani Shave Ice, which was destroyed in the inferno. His three children also lost their school, historic King Kamehameha III Elementary. Before Ulu Lani, Martinez worked as the food and beverage manager and spa manager at the Montage Hotel. But he could not return to work smiling and serving tourists after the tragedy. 'We all lived through it, so we tried to stay away from tourists taking pictures of the burn zone and people parking in people's driveways, ' Martinez said. 'I knew I wanted to be part of the solution and not part of the problem, and help Lahaina rebuild.' Martinez specifically wanted to help survivors like himself and got hired in January as the new director at Ka La 'i Ola, which included a three-bedroom, two-bath modular home for him and his girlfriend, sons ages 9 and 8, and 4-year-old daughter. At the age of 41, Martinez called working with the residents of Ka La 'i Ola 'one of the biggest blessings to come out of the fire.' 'I can hands down say this is the best job I've ever had, ' he said. 'I've never been told 'God bless you' so many times in my life. When you give someone the keys, they know they have a home here until 2029.'
