Honolulu Habitat for Humanity’s “Wahine Build” mobilized women in support of affordable housing on Oahu. Across five weekends, more than 125 volunteers helped to construct a house in Waimanalo while raising funds for the development of other new, affordable homes.

Women are disproportionately underrepresented on construction sites. “Wahine Build” empowers women to learn new skills, step out of their comfort zones, and contribute in a meaningful way to their community.

 I contributed my time as a photojournalist to document the home-building process involving all-female construction crews. Most participants were first-time volunteers with little to no construction experience. 

 On the build site, women learned how to frame and raise walls, assemble scaffolding, install siding, caulk windows, and paint the house exterior.

 Volunteers took their jobs seriously while clearly enjoying the process and relishing the sense of accomplishment.

 In these portraits made over the course of several visits I tried to capture the sense of determination, focus, and camaraderie that was palpable on site.