Hawai‘i Community College Celebrates its 50th Model Home

Hawai‘i Community College held a dedication ceremony today in Hilo for the 50th home built by students through the school’s Model Home Project.

Hawai‘i Community College celebrates its 50th Model Home. PC: Hawai‘i Community College

Hawai‘i Community College celebrates its 50th Model Home. PC: Hawai‘i Community College

Hawai‘i Community College celebrates its 50th Model Home. PC: Hawai‘i Community College

Hawai‘i Community College celebrates its 50th Model Home. PC: Hawai‘i Community College

Hawai‘i Community College celebrates its 50th Model Home. PC: Hawai‘i Community College

Hawai‘i Community College celebrates its 50th Model Home. PC: Hawai‘i Community College

Hawai‘i Community College celebrates its 50th Model Home. PC: Hawai‘i Community College

Hawai‘i Community College celebrates its 50th Model Home. PC: Hawai‘i Community College

Hawai‘i Community College celebrates its 50th Model Home. PC: Hawai‘i Community College

Students in five HCC programs built the 1,818 sq. ft. home, the cost of the project was about $188,000. During the ceremony, students handed the keys to the new homeowner Luana Dang, and her family.

The new home includes a solar water heater system, Energy Star qualified appliances, Energy Star metal roofing and radiant barrier, naive plant landscaping and more.

The Model Home Project provides students in the construction trade program a hands-on learning experience. Over the years, more than 4,000 students have participated in the project since it was established in 1965.

Students in the architectural engineering and CAD program designed the home; diesel mechanics students maintained heavy equipment; carpentry students built the home; electrical Installation and maintenance students installed the wiring; and agriculture students landscaped the property. Hawaiian studies students helped to conduct the blessing ceremony.

Many alumni who helped build homes over the past five decades have become licensed contractors, project managers and skilled tradespeople who contribute to the Hawai‘i Island construction industry.

“Weʻve been very fortunate that so far I have 15 past graduates since 1991 that have gotten their contractors license and they are coming back to hire our students,” said Gene Harada, Hawai‘i CC Carpentry Professor and 1975 graduate.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands acted as the developer in the project, while HCC provided the skilled labor at no cost, resulting in an affordable home for a local family.