Kōkua for Cancer: A Community Comes Together to Rebuild Hope
The Loque ‘Ohana and community volunteers coming together to restore PCF cancer patient Trina’s home, turning hardship into hope.
One phone call can change everything.
For Trina Kalanikau, a single mother diagnosed with cancer in 2019, that call came on a day when everything felt too heavy to carry alone.
She had been fighting to keep her home in Hawaiian Homes, Paukukalo, but the conditions had become unbearable. After leaving a domestic violence situation, she was struggling—not just with cancer treatment, but with an environment that was unsafe and unlivable. Open gaps in the walls let in rodents, fire damage remained unrepaired, and without a functioning bathroom and laundry space, even the smallest daily tasks felt overwhelming. Most painful of all, the state of her home prevented her children from visiting, adding an extra layer of heartache to an already difficult journey.
Overwhelmed, Trina called the infusion nurses at her cancer treatment center in tears. She had hit a breaking point.
That’s when the Pacific Cancer Foundation stepped in.
A Community Rallies for Kōkua
After hearing Trina’s concerns, the infusion nurses reached out to PCF’s Patient Navigator, Andrea Bacos, who quickly got to work identifying ways to help. PCF immediately began reaching out to its community partners, knowing that collaboration would be key to making a real difference.
At the same time, Ashley, an oncology nurse at the Maui Health Systems, heard about Trina’s situation and remembered that one of her former patients, Sherri Dodson, now worked at Habitat for Humanity Maui as a Housing Counselor. Ashley reached out, hoping that Habitat might be able to assist.
“When Ashley told me about Trina, I knew we had to help,” Sherri said. “I also knew I couldn’t do it alone.”
Coincidentally, just weeks before, Sherri’s family—the Loque ‘Ohana—had been talking about coming together to do a service project. So when she brought up Trina’s story over Christmas dinner, the decision was immediate: they were all in.
A close friend of the Loques had also been through breast cancer, making the project even more personal. And with so many of them working in construction, they knew they had the skills to make a real impact.
Before: A Home in Need of Healing
New windows had been installed but were never framed out so there were lots of holes for critters to get in.
Transforming a Home, Restoring a Sense of Peace
When the Loque ‘Ohana showed up to Trina’s home, they came in full force, ready to work. Their first priority? Making the house secure—sealing the gaps in the walls, properly framing out unfinished windows, and replacing damaged siding.
Then, they got to painting. Trina had picked out her colors, and seeing the fresh coats go up on the walls was a moment of transformation—not just for the space, but for her spirit.
But one of the biggest challenges still remained: her outdoor bathroom and laundry area were completely unusable. That’s when Habitat for Humanity Maui officially stepped in to take on the full renovation, with the Loque ‘Ohana demoing the area to prepare for the work ahead.
For Sherri, the most meaningful part of the project was seeing her family connect with Trina.
“She’s such a lovely lady,” she said. “For me, this project was personal because of my own cancer journey—I’ve been through it five times. If not for my family, there’s no way I could have gotten through any of them. To now be able to give that kind of support to someone else—it was emotional for all of us.”
The Power of Kōkua
Kōkua is more than just a word—it’s a way of life in Hawai’i. It’s the act of showing up for one another, of lifting burdens together, of giving selflessly when someone is in need.
For Sherri, working in nonprofit has made kōkua a part of her daily life. But this project was different—this time, she was able to bring her own family into that experience, showing them the joy that comes from helping others.
“They were so proud of themselves,” she said. “And I was so proud of them.”
Now, the Loque ‘Ohana is already looking forward to their next project.
As for others in the community who may be thinking about stepping up to help? Sherri’s advice is simple:
Just do it.
“There’s nothing better than helping somebody else. It’s what I do for a living, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Before: Fire damage left this part of Trina’s home exposed and unsafe.
After: New siding and repairs have restored safety and stability.
A True Collaboration: The Team Behind Kōkua for Cancer
The Kōkua for Cancer project was a testament to what’s possible when a community comes together to help one of its own.
Pacific Cancer Foundation – Providing wraparound support for Trina and connecting her to community resources
Habitat for Humanity Maui – Leading the renovation and ensuring Trina’s home is safe and functional
The Loque ‘Ohana – Giving their time, skills, and labor to transform Trina’s space
Kitagawa Towing – Assisting with essential logistics
Pau Hana Hauling – Clearing out the space for construction
Maui County Solid Waste Division – Providing disposal support for the project
Thanks to these generous organizations and individuals, Trina’s home is no longer a source of stress—it’s a place of healing, safety, and comfort once again.
And most importantly, it’s a place where she can welcome her children home.
Bringing new life to Trina’s home, one brushstroke at a time.
Pacific Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free support services to Maui County’s cancer community. Stories like Trina’s are made possible through the generosity of donors who help fund critical resources like patient navigation, financial assistance, and community-driven initiatives. To support our mission and help more families facing cancer, consider making a donation today.
Stay tuned for Trina’s story in her own words, coming soon to The Kukui Journal.