How Islina Manelo, her two sons, ages 9 and 1, and her boyfriend, Roger Suda, became homeless and ended up living in a transitional shelter shows how a decision born of frustration and made in haste can turn a difficult situation into one of despair — even when it's done with the best of intentions.

Manelo and Suda both had been working full time at minimum wage and keeping a roof over their heads by sharing the rent with other family members.

Still, making the monthly payments had become stressful for Manelo because of the landlord's tendency to raise the rent periodically. Increasingly, Manelo's and Suda's combined income covered a diminished percentage of monthly expenses.

For Manelo, 28, it was as if she was "having to work more for rent and work less for my kids."

Consequently, when her oldest son had a chance to go on a school trip to the Big Island, Manelo used her rent money to finance his trip. Otherwise, he would stay behind. She said she didn't want him to "feel left out."

The decision made out of love cost the family their home, and left the couple and the kids homeless. It was the beginning of a difficult and painful time. Eventually, they were able to move into Weinberg Village Waimānalo, said Linoe McKeague, senior case manager with Holomua na Ohana.

"It is still difficult for them, but they are working at making housing a priority," said McKeague.

Manelo and Suda are taking advantage of shelter programs that will help them manage their finances and avoid homelessness in the future. Meanwhile, Manelo has decided to go to college to study nursing. She is motivated to help her parents, who both have serious health problems.

"Becoming a nurse would be the greatest gift to my parents," she said.

For now, though, she has no money for gifts of any kind for her children on Christmas. The family would be grateful for help from anyone this holiday season, she said.