Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 5, 1 May 2015 — Maui couple taps OHA loan to patch roof -- twice [ARTICLE]

Maui couple taps OHA loan to patch roof -- twice

By Karin Stanton Velma and Rodney Mariano have lived in their Wailuku home for more than 30 years, raising four sons and now helping care for their 1 1 grandchildren. So when the roof started leaking, they needed to act fast. "The garage roof started leaking and that was a problem," said Velma, a Native Hawaiian and minister for Praise Gospel. "It was taking so long to go through the insurance company, we were so happy to get the loan." Velma and Rodney, a retired meehanie, applied for a Consumer Micro Loan through OHA. The programknown as CMLP is designed to provide low-cost loans to Native Hawaiians who are experiencing temporary hnaneial hardship due to unforeseen events, or those who wish to enhanee their careers. The loans are capped at $7,500 and the simple interest is fixed at 5 percent with a maximumloan term of five years. "It was the perfect amount," she said. "We had to get three estimates and went with the best one. The payments were easy and not overwhelming." While the Marianos were able to pay back the loan quickly, their roof troubles were not over. In March 20 14, the roof over the kitchen started leaking. "It was coming through the roof and the eeiling and dripping onto my counter top," she said.

"I had to have a bucket on the counter to catch all the water when it rained." Again, the couple's insurance company was slow to act and they applied for a second CMLP loan. Most applications are processed the same day they are received. Onee an applieahon has been

approved, documents ean be signed and funds ean be disbursed usually within five business days. "It eame through so quick. We really appreciated that," Velma said. "OHA eame through and we were so happy to qualify. The process was easy and within two months we had the work done." The contractor found another leak between the garage and house, whieh also was fixed. Mariano said she is especially grateful that the work was completed before more damage could be done to the roof. "This is our home. It's our safe shelter, our security," she said. "We raised our boys there and it's where the grandchildren eome after school and on holidays. It's just a really important plaee for our whole family." CMLP applicants must be of Native Hawaiian

ancestry, 18 years or older and a Hawai'i state resident. The funds are available to individuals only and must be for the applicant's benefit. In addition to home repairs, loans may be used for funeral expenses, emergency health situations, auto repairs and career development courses. OHA requires the following documentation:

• Proof of ineome: one month of paystubs for all W2 employees and two years of federal tax returns to include all schedules on self-employed borrowers. • Proof of Hawaiian ancestry -

copy of birth certificate or OH A Hawaiian Registry card. • Letter as to why you are applying for this loan. • Verification of the use of funds is required. Applications and required documents may be dropped off at any OHA office or mailed directly to the OHA O'ahu office, 560 N. Nimitz Highway, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96817. For further information, contact Lareina Meineeke at (808) 594-1823 or email at lareinam@ oha.org. Details and CMLP applieahon forms are available at www.oha.org/cmlp. ■ Karin Stanton, aformer reporter/editor at West Hawai'i Today, works for the Associated Press, Reuters and Hawai'i 24/7.

OHA eame through and we were so happy to qualify. The process was easy and within two months we had the work done." — Velma Manano, OHA Consumer Micro Loan recepient