Pearl Sheck is the Public Housing Coordinator, overseeing activities at KKV’s Ke Ola Hou Health Clinic. Located on the ground floor of Tower A at the Towers at Kuhio Park, the clinic serves residents (and some nonresidents) six days a week.  

Drs. Dawn Taniguchi and Melissa McKinney are regularly onsite to see patients, who often walk in with a wide range of issues from simple to complex. The clinic is a hub of activity and has a dedicated team to provide social services and support, including Care Coordinator and Health Navigator Nabin Oli, Outreach worker Amenina Opet, and Marshallese interpreter Today Maddison. Pearl wears many hats, connecting people with support, providing referrals, organizing assistance and events, and offering a sympathetic ear. 

On a typical day at Ke Ola Hou, Pearl is busy preparing for upcoming community events, such as the upcoming visit by Helping Hands Hawaii to KPT and Kalihi Valley Homes. She works with the Food Bank to bring food to KPT and assists residents, who often speak little or no English, to fill out forms and prepare documents. Pearl helps families get onto the housing waiting list with Hawaii Public Housing Authority and with the City & County’s Section 8 program.  Her personal experience gives her a sense of empathy and understanding. “I’ve been through the whole situation with public housing,” Pearl says. “I can feel what they feel, since my family and I struggled a lot. Even when things get overwhelming, I know that the families really appreciate kindness and help.”   

Helping residents in need is something that the Ke Ola Hou team is passionate about.  Pearl relates a story about one auntie, who had been on the waiting list for section 8 for some time. After the auntie finally received a housing voucher, she was confused about how to navigate the complicated process of getting housing for her family. Pearl learned about the situation from the auntie’s KKV doctor who contacted her for assistance. After a month of hard work, Pearl was able to help the woman move into her new place.  Finally, with a home where she feels safe, the auntie does not have to worry about moving again.  She is so grateful and stops by the clinic to thank Pearl every chance she can.