in memoriam
We honor the lives of our beloved friends who have passed—individuals who faced hardships with resilience, met challenges with courage, and strived to build community that embraced the values of aloha. Their stories are woven into the fabric of this place, reminding us that compassion, empathy, and solidarity can thrive even in the most difficult circumstances.
Through acts of kindness and service they uplifted those around them, creating spaces of safety, healing, and hope. Their legacy lives on in the hands and hearts of those who continue their work, in the communities they helped shape, and in the stories we carry forward.
Though they are no longer with us, their spirit remains—guiding, inspiring, and reminding us that we can all do our part. May we honor them not only in memory but in action, ensuring their vision of dignity, justice, and aloha endures.
Lavaina Aina
Lavina Aina was a lifelong resident of Waimānalo, where she raised her children and built deep connections within her community. Though she faced hardships that led her to live in the beach parks for several years, she never let her own struggles stop her from helping others. She saw the suffering of those around her and, despite having little herself, reached out to support them—offering kindness, care, and a sense of community to those living on “The Line,” the row of tents along Kalanianaʻole Highway.
In her later years, Aunty Vaina found a home in kūpuna housing, remaining close enough to continue visiting and caring for those still living unhoused. Rain or shine, she showed up for her people, embodying the spirit of compassion and resilience. She often reminded us, “Our people need our help. They need health services, a safe place to stay, good food to eat. We can all do our part.”
Her legacy of love and service lives on in the community she helped build. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Twinkle Borge
Twinkle Borge was, and remains in spirit, the heart and leader of Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae, a village of around 250 people living unhoused on State land near the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor. With unwavering strength and compassion, she organized the village into a powerful force for the wider community, creating a space of safety, healing, and purpose for those who had lost their housing.
Under her leadership and tutelage, Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae residents dedicated themselves to serving others—conducting regular cleanups along the Waiʻanae Coast, providing food and clothing to other unhoused communities, and ensuring children, both housed and unhoused, had the school supplies they needed each year.
In 2018, when the village faced the threat of State eviction, Twinkle led a determined and successful effort to defend their home. She then spearheaded a fundraising campaign that enabled the purchase of land where the village could build a permanent future. Her vision of a pioneering model of village-style affordable housing continues to inspire and guide those working to carry her legacy forward.
Twinkle was also a member of the Steering Committee of Hui Aloha, always working to uplift and advocate for her community. Her presence, leadership, and boundless aloha will be deeply missed, but the impact of her work and the love she shared will continue to shape Waiʻanae for generations to come.
Clayton Lloyd Hanalei Hee
Clayton was born and raised in Kāneʻohe and spent much of his life in Waimānalo, where he built strong ties within the community. Though his journey included struggles with incarceration and periods of being unhoused, he remained resilient, finding purpose in both faith and service.
For a time, Clayton was employed and housed by the Windward Baptist Church, where he took on many roles—usher, supervisor of the church’s recovery program, and leader of morning devotions from the pulpit. He was on the path to becoming ordained when he returned home to care for his ailing father, an act of deep love and responsibility.
Having lived in various places—from Magic Island to Ala Wai Park—Clayton knew firsthand the challenges of life on the street. Yet, he never hesitated to extend a helping hand or share his wisdom with others who found themselves in similar circumstances. As he once said, “If you are new to being homeless, you will meet all kinds of characters—some struggling with addiction, some trustworthy, some not. If anybody out there needs help, and what I’ve been through can help them, I am willing to share.”
His generosity of spirit and willingness to uplift others will not be forgotten. Clayton’s memory lives on in the lives he touched and the wisdom he shared.