Twinkle Borge | |
---|---|
Born | |
Occupation | Activist |
Known for | Matriarch of Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae |
Twinkle Borge is a Hawaiian activist who is involved with Hawaii's largest homeless encampment, Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae (or "the village"). [1] [2] This 20-acre property is in the back of Waiʻanae Valley to "provide shelter, stability, and hope for up to 300 people at a lower development cost and lower operating costs and rents than conventional affordable housing." [3] In 2020, fundraising was completed to purchase the land, and current efforts are focused to continue building the structures. [1] [3]
Borge is known for her work and activism at "The Harbor" [4] [5] located at the edge of the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor on the leeward side of Oʻahu. [4]
Borge is a native Hawaiian. [2] She states that her first name, Twinkle, is not a nickname but was chosen by her older sister. [6]
Borge herself has lived in the camp for more than 15 years. [7] According to an interview with Honolulu Civil Beat, Borge arrived in 2006 and "...has for years been the undisputed leader of The Harbor, organizing a governance structure that includes a second-in-command and section captains. [4] In her role as the leader of the village, she selects 'captains' from the community to help with the camp's daily operations. [3]
In order to avoid sweeps, or clearances, of the village, Borge has liaised with the state government which owns the land on which the homeless camp is located. [7] [8] In 2018, Borge and others led an effort to defend the village from eviction. In 2020, the village managed to purchase 20 acres of land in order to build more permanent housing. [8] [9] This purchase was facilitated by Cades Shutte LLC. [10]
Twinkle Borge | |
---|---|
Born | |
Occupation | Activist |
Known for | Matriarch of Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae |
Twinkle Borge is a Hawaiian activist who is involved with Hawaii's largest homeless encampment, Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae (or "the village"). [1] [2] This 20-acre property is in the back of Waiʻanae Valley to "provide shelter, stability, and hope for up to 300 people at a lower development cost and lower operating costs and rents than conventional affordable housing." [3] In 2020, fundraising was completed to purchase the land, and current efforts are focused to continue building the structures. [1] [3]
Borge is known for her work and activism at "The Harbor" [4] [5] located at the edge of the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor on the leeward side of Oʻahu. [4]
Borge is a native Hawaiian. [2] She states that her first name, Twinkle, is not a nickname but was chosen by her older sister. [6]
Borge herself has lived in the camp for more than 15 years. [7] According to an interview with Honolulu Civil Beat, Borge arrived in 2006 and "...has for years been the undisputed leader of The Harbor, organizing a governance structure that includes a second-in-command and section captains. [4] In her role as the leader of the village, she selects 'captains' from the community to help with the camp's daily operations. [3]
In order to avoid sweeps, or clearances, of the village, Borge has liaised with the state government which owns the land on which the homeless camp is located. [7] [8] In 2018, Borge and others led an effort to defend the village from eviction. In 2020, the village managed to purchase 20 acres of land in order to build more permanent housing. [8] [9] This purchase was facilitated by Cades Shutte LLC. [10]