"This House Was Always for Everyone": Trina’s Story of Healing and Homecoming
Trina’s home, renewed with the help of a caring community.
"You gotta call, ’cause nobody is going to know."
For Trina Kalanikau, asking for help wasn’t easy. She had spent years trying to handle everything on her own—battling cancer, raising her children, and holding onto the home her parents had passed down to her. But the weight of it all—the unfinished repairs, the unsafe conditions, the isolation—became too much.
One day, after years of holding everything in, she broke down. Overwhelmed and exhausted, she called her infusion nurses in tears—not because she knew what she needed, but because she didn’t know what else to do.
That call set something in motion.
A Fight for Health and Stability
Trina was young when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “Of course, it was a scary moment,” she recalled. Her early experience with treatment felt overwhelming and disheartening, with finances often overshadowing conversations about care.
At the time, her children were still little. “I had a kindergartner and a first grader,” she said. “Everybody was young and they needed me, and I needed them more than ever. I couldn’t fail them.”
Trina stepped away from treatment for a while, trying to explore other options and find her footing. But the costs quickly became unmanageable. Eventually, she returned to traditional care.
As a single mother, Trina depended on her village—her mother, aunties, and extended family—who stepped in to care for her kids when she couldn’t.
“Thank god grandma was always there,” she said. “They had aunties, they had a little village that supported me throughout this time. It was hard on everybody. They didn’t miss a beat out here. They went to see Haleakalā with snow, they went to the county fair. I knew they were okay, so I could take care of myself.”
A Breaking Point
After leaving an abusive relationship, Trina struggled to create a safe and stable home. The house had deteriorated to the point where it wasn’t safe for her children or her new grandbaby. Four abandoned vehicles cluttered the yard, and the house itself had gaps and damage that left it vulnerable to rodents.
Overwhelmed and out of options, Trina finally made that call to her infusion nurses—crying, exhausted, and unsure of what to do next.
A Community Steps In
When PCF’s Patient Navigator, Andrea Bacos, heard about Trina’s situation, she knew it would take a coordinated community effort to make a real difference. Sitting with Trina during infusion, Andrea listened as Trina shared her fears and frustrations. “Her biggest concern was creating a safe space for her children and newborn grandchild,” Andrea recalled. “She wanted to reunite her family in a place where they could feel secure.”
Andrea immediately reached out to local businesses and community partners. One of her first calls was to Wade Kitagawa from Kitagawa Towing, who generously agreed to remove the abandoned vehicles. Next, Andrea coordinated with Dave Bautista from Pau Hana Hauling to provide a dumpster, and even worked with the County of Maui Solid Waste Division to waive landfill fees.
With the space cleared, Andrea connected with Sherri Dodson at Habitat for Humanity Maui, who secured funding and mobilized the Loque ‘Ohana to start renovations. From sealing gaps in the walls to replacing siding and painting, the Loque family transformed the house with care and dedication.
Transformation, Inside and Out
With every wall repaired, every coat of paint, and every small improvement, Trina’s home—and her spirit—began to transform. “The bathroom, definitely,” Trina said when asked what part of the renovation stood out the most. Then she laughed. “Ho—everything! The windows, the paint job—everything is wonderful!” She shared how her uncle came from Moloka‘i to help catch the rats. “He put out dried shrimp, and within five minutes—bam. First big baboucha rat caught,” she said, laughing. “But I love dried shrimp, so I had to eat them. You’re lucky I didn’t have beer with that!”
The biggest change, though, wasn’t just physical. “It was god-giving,” she said of the kōkua she received. “I hadn’t spoken to my friends and family in years. I was scared, you know. And then, all of a sudden, here they were.”
For Andrea, the most rewarding part was witnessing the transformation firsthand. “Seeing Trina move from a place of uncertainty and struggle to a sense of hope and relief was truly impactful,” Andrea said. “It was incredibly fulfilling to watch the community come together and provide the support she needed.”
Looking Ahead: A Homecoming
As her home nears completion, Trina is already planning her next step:
“A housewarming party,” she said with a smile. “So everyone can come and eat. Friends, family, new friends I’ve made throughout this journey. I want them to come back.”
Because for Trina, this house was never just a house. "People used to call and say, ‘Don’t worry, we got lunch, we got rice, we got dinner,’" she said. "I don’t even remember having a house key, because everybody was over. That’s what I want again." It was always meant to be a home—for everyone.
A Message of Gratitude and Hope
For those who are struggling, Trina has one message:
“You gotta have the confidence and call. ’Cause nobody is going to know.”
And for the people who made this possible?
“I couldn’t have done it without you guys. Pacific Cancer Foundation started everything. Thank you so much.”
Trina’s journey is a testament to the power of community support and the resilience of the human spirit. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of donors to the Pacific Cancer Foundation, whose support helps make projects like this a reality. Your kindness and compassion have given Trina and her family a new beginning, and a safe place to call home.
Whether you need help—or want to offer it—there’s a place for you in our PCF ‘ohana. Our programs are free for Maui County’s cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers, and your support helps us continue this vital work.