Global Village Thrivent program volunteers helped work on a Kula house with Habitat for Humanity Maui and learned about Hawaiian culture.

KULA — Nine volunteers from the Global Village Thrivent program recently traveled from Wisconsin and Nevada to escape from the cold for a week and work alongside Habitat for Humanity Maui to build a new home for a family in Waiohuli, Kula.

Thrivent Builds is a multiyear, multimillion dollar partnership between Thrivent Financial Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International.

These visitors helped to install battens, caulk, prime, paint and start the steps. They also sorted donated items from the ReStore in Wailuku.

Lahaina’s Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Aloha Mixed Plate provided local-style lunches. ‘Ulalena and Old Lahaina Luau provided the volunteers with an experience into Hawaii’s cultural history.

Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program allows volunteers to experience another culture while making a difference in the lives of others.

For more information on building, providing lunches or sharing our culture, call 242-1140 or e-mail info@habitat-maui.org.

In related news, Habitat for Humanity Maui recently elected a new board of directors for 2011.

The board includes five new members: Travis Thompson, Ryan Anderson-Teshima, Gary Passon, Bob Novello and George Sullivan.

New officers include President Darryl Banks, Vice President Deborah K. Wright, Secretary Clarice Holmes and Treasurer Alan Sakuma.

Returning board members include Gwen Hiraga, Helen Giron, Jack Fisher, Charlene Kauhane, Mike Takamatsu and Kahu Kalani Wong.

“We feel honored to have these accomplished members of our community commit to helping Habitat end homelessness here on Maui,” said Executive Director Sherri K. Dodson.

“After many years of service and dedication to the mission of Habitat, we say goodbye to several longtime board members.”

Leaving the board are Dean Duque, Mei Lee Wong, Mark Moser and John Jaskula.

Habitat for Humanity Maui’s mission is to build decent housing and to renovate substandard housing on Maui in partnership with community volunteers and potential homeowners, so that homelessness and substandard housing on Maui is eliminated.