Pu'uhonua O Wai'anae | Shafkat Anowar

"It's not a shelter, it's a village"

"We don't have to deal with cops. Being woken up with something else, you know! Over here we just rest our head and go sleep" Stanley said. On the evening of 31st December, he prepares for his fresh new year look.

Serving home to 219 people including 21 children, Pu’uhonua O Wai’anae is the largest and by far the oldest homeless camp on the island of O’ahu. The place is not considered a camp for the ‘homeless,’ rather a place for the ‘house-less.’

On the suburb of the Wai’anae Boat Harbor is the home to several kinds including children working families and elders. This village is based on shared love and bond that exists among the resident as well as known for its strict discipline and rules honored by the members. The community consists of eight sections and each section has its own captain.

Twinkle Borge, leader of Pu’uhonua O Wai’anae has been living there since 2003. To her, this place is only place she knew that she can call ‘Home.”

Borge grew up in Palolo. As a teenager she grew up in a girl gang that stole cars and broke into houses and as an adult she was a recovering addict. Her willingness to thrive in life made her change her lifestyle. Her compassionate and thoughtful charisma earned the trust of the people around her leading her to build relationship in the neighborhood. She happens to be the guidance and matriarchal support of the village. Different people come to her for advice, help, or sometimes just a hug.

Devilanueva has been living in the village for 7 months who was once moved to Kathleen Eevillanuva (next photograph). They got divorced right after they both moved to the shelter.

Kathleen Eevilanuva after getting divorced from her husband got a new place in the shelter. The first picture is during her first week and the second one is during her third week of moving in.