Lahanitani Tongi was trying to help two families by allowing them to stay in his place when a fire destroyed his home and damaged another Saturday, displacing two dozen people in Kaimuki.
Tongi, 36, said three families from the destroyed home were staying in a hotel through the assistance of the American Red Cross but will have to find their own place this week.
The Red Cross said it is helping one family with lodging and two others with clothing and food.
The fire started at about 2:15 p.m. Saturday at 1354 15th Ave.
About 35 firefighters responded and brought the fire under control by 2:55 p.m., said Honolulu fire Capt. David Jenkins.
A home next door also sustained some damage, and five people living there were temporarily displaced, Jenkins said.
A damage estimate and cause were still under investigation Sunday.
Tongi’s wife remained at the hospital Sunday for a burn she sustained to her arm while removing their 1-year-old daughter from the burning house. No other residents were hurt.
"She said she’s OK," said Tongi, adding that she would probably leave the hospital Monday. "We’re doing OK."
Staying with Tongi and his six children were his wife’s relatives — a family of five — and a Micronesian family of six. In all, there were 13 children and six adults living in the house, Tongi said.
"I’m just worried about the Micronesian family," said Tongi, who stopped by the house Sunday to observe the damage.
He said he previously worked with the father of that family doing masonry. About two months ago the man called to ask for help with a place to stay.
Tongi allowed the family to stay in his home until they could afford their own place.
His wife’s relatives, the Fuimaonos, were staying with Tongi until they could find a place in the competitive rental market.
Mele Fuimaono said Saturday that she was signing the lease for her new place in Liliha when her daughter called to tell her the house was on fire.
Tongi planned to take his children shopping Sunday to buy them clothes to return to school Monday.
Before the fire, he expected the other two families to move out shortly, giving him a chance to spruce up the home in time for Christmas. Instead, he was planning to look at another place to live on Monday.
"I’m trying to get our house as soon as possible so we can go have our Christmas over there," he said.
