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Kalihi Valley Family Getting Extreme Home Makeover

By: Stephen Florino

(KHNL) - It's the dream of a lifetime for a Kalihi Valley family. They're getting a new home built for them, and they don't have to pay a cent.

It's part of the show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

When Momi Akana woke up, she thought she was still dreaming.

"This is not real," said Akana. "It's just like winning the lottery. What can you say, it's oh my gosh."

Ty Pennington, and a TV crew were at her door, to tell her that her family is getting a new home built. The timing is perfect, because her old house was falling apart.

"We lost a bunch of during the last big storm about two years ago," said Akana. "They rebuilt it, but there's always a chance it's gonna happen again."

Show producers feel Akana is deserving. Eleven years ago, she was a single mom on welfare, as she founded "Keiki O Ka Aina Family Learning Centers." The non-profit group operates out Akana's home.

"This is recognition for all the years of her work," said husband Bill Akana. "It's just a testament to Momi and her team."

With grant money, Akana bought property just up the street. Now, while the family heads off for a six-day vacation in Canada, hundreds of construction crews and volunteers are turning the empty grass field into her new dream home, and new office.

It caps off an exciting time in Akana's life. A year ago, she met her husband on a blind date, got married, and had a baby.

"It was quite a year," she said. "You know God had a hand on that one."

Brookfield Homes Hawaii is heading the construction crew. They'll be working for 106 straight hours to finish the house by the time the Akana's come back from vacation.

The build will be featured in show's season premiere. The two hour episode is scheduled for September.