For two years, the family lived on the beach. Their youngest was born into homelessness, spending his first few months of life in a tent at Hau'ula Beach Park.

Their oldest, now in kindergarten, remembers those long chilly nights when the family huddled in their small tent to guard against heavy winter rains and winds.

"It was hard when it was raining," said the mother in the family, who asked not to be identified. "We didn't have a car so we were living in a really small tent."

Finally, in November 2005, the family got a welcome break when they were admitted into the Weinberg Village Wai-manalo transitional shelter, where they were able to get a roof over their heads and a renewed sense of confidence.

Though they are still struggling to make ends meet on their salaries, the couple says they are slowly recovering from a time in their lives they would rather forget.

Before they became homeless, the family was living with relatives in Windward O'ahu. They were forced to move out because of crowding problems.

The mother said she never expected to be homeless for so long. But months turned into years while they couldn't find an affordable rental on their income. The husband is a tree-trimmer. The mother stays home to watch her 2-year-old. On the weekends, she works at an eatery at Windward Mall.

Today, the family still has its share of struggles.

Because they don't have a car, the husband has to leave at 4:30 a.m. to catch a city bus to town. He comes home from work about 7 p.m.

The family also hasn't been able to afford any household items, and would greatly appreciate donations of queen and double sheet sets, bath towels and washcloths.

They are also asking for clothes for the kids: the 5-year-old girl wears size 7 and small in girls clothes, the 2-year-old boy wears 4T. The kids would also enjoy a few toys.

For now, the family is still looking for affordable rentals and waiting to hear whether they've been chosen to move into public housing.

"We just want to move into a permanent place," the mother said.

REC

Clow Family — $500

Sharon Ishida — $150

Kathy and David Dodge $100

Mr. and Mrs. Calvin K.H. Loo — $100

Jacquelyn Sato — $100

Eric and Mark Fukui — $50

Mercedes Mata, in loving memory of Ricardo F. Mata — $50

Ronald Nishihara — $50

Eugene and Eiko Van Orman, in memory of Tosh Ige — $50

Elizabeth Doane — $30

Ruth Burkholder — $25

Curtis Kekoa Jr., in loving memory of Nenita Kekoa — $25

Pake — $25

Anonymous — $100

Anonymous — $25


Total: — $1,380
Previous total: — $34,561
Total to date: — $35,941

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.