Twinkle Borge Explained

Twinkle Borge
Birth Place:Hawaii
Occupation:Activist
Known For:Matriarch of Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae

Twinkle Borge was a Hawaiian activist who was 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." In 2020, fundraising was completed to purchase the land, and current efforts are focused to continue building the structures.

Borge is known for her work and activism at "The Harbor"[3] [4] located at the edge of the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor on the leeward side of Oʻahu.

Borge passed on August 5, 2024. State of Hawaiʻi governor Josh Green released a statement praising Borge as an "incredible inspiration to so many".[5]

Early life

Borge is a native Hawaiian. She states that her first name, Twinkle, is not a nickname but was chosen by her older sister.[6]

Homelessness and activism

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. In her role as the leader of the village, she selects 'captains' from the community to help with the camp's daily operations.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10] This purchase was facilitated by Cades Shutte LLC.[11]

Honors and awards

References

  1. Web site: 2021-10-18 . Twinkle Borge is the loving matriarch and steward of Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae homestead . 2023-01-26 . . en.
  2. News: Graaf . Nicole . Homeless in a Hawaiian paradise . 2017-09-28 . . 2023-01-26 . en.
  3. News: Terrell . Jessica . 2015-11-16 . The Shepherd Of The Harbor . 2023-04-12 . . en.
  4. Web site: Cherry . Amy . 2019-08-15 . Spirit behind Hawaiian 'houseless' village could be solution to homelessness in Delaware, across US . 2024-06-17 . . en.
  5. News: Homeless advocate, activist Twinkle Borge dies . 2024-08-05 . . 2024-08-09 . en.
  6. Web site: Hawai'i's Women of Influence . Coules . Ryann . Wagner . Kathryn Drury . DeJournett . Tori . . 2023-10-16 . 2024-06-17 . en-US.
  7. News: 22 Jun 2017 . Hawaii's homeless have few places to go: 'They don't know what to do with us' . 26 Jan 2023 . The Guardian.
  8. Web site: Frequently Asked Questions . 2023-01-26 . Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2021-10-28 . Twinkle Borge . 2023-01-26 . UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series . en-US.
  10. News: 2020-02-22 . Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae buys 20-acre land parcel . 2023-01-26 . . en-US.
  11. Web site: Galarneau . Erika . 2022-05-09 . Working together with the Community of Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae . 2023-04-12 . Cades Schutte . en-US.
  12. Web site: Congratulations to the 2021 Ho'okele Award Recipients - Advancing Nonprofit Excellence . HawaiiCommunityLending.com . 2021 . 2024-06-17 . en-US.
  13. Web site: Four unsung heroes recognized for their critical work in Hawaiʻi . . 2021-08-05 . 2023-04-12 . en-US.

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