HCAP WEEKLY August 4, 2025

The First Day of School for Head Start Keiki!

HCAP’s Head Start children kicked off their first day of school full of excitement and curiosity! From meeting new friends and new teachers to exploring classrooms, the day was filled with lively energy. Across the program, children were welcomed with open arms to ease any first day jitters.

Throughout the school day, children’s imagination and creativity were ignited through engaging with their new classroom environments and establishing daily routines. It was a great first day that set the tone for a school year full of growth, discovery, and fun!

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KTLC Participant Couple Move Into A New Home

After overcoming many barriers to housing, Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center (KTLC) program participants, Tonya Mae and Denis, found success in securing a place to call home. Both Tonya Mae and Denis started their journey at KTLC in 2024. Since then, they have been working hard to stay on track toward self-sufficiency by attending all their meetings with their case manager, Carolyn Pule, to work through the challenges towards permanent housing. The couple also worked closely with their housing coordinator, Kamalani Soares, from Catholic Charities who has helped them significantly in receiving a deposit and first month’s rent assistance.

While at KTLC, the pair was able to increase their income and put money aside to furnish their new space. They both have expressed that they are very excited to finally be able to stand on their own and to take what they have learned moving forward. Tonya Mae and Denis shared that they both will be forever grateful for all the help provided.

Their case manager, Carolyn, and the staff at KTLC are all so proud of all the hard work that was put into this positive transition for Tonya Mae and Denis.

Click here to learn more about KTLC.

HCAP Head Start and ECS Programs Conduct Waimanalo Outreach

HCAP’s Head Start Program and Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program participated in an outreach event at the lively 10th annual celebration of Lā Ho’iho’i Ea hosted by Nā Kua’āina O Waimānalo at Waimānalo Elementary and Intermediate School. HCAP attended alongside many other service providers, community partners, cultural practitioners, small local businesses, and food trucks to celebrate community empowerment.

Leaders of Nā Kua’āina O Waimānalo emphasized the importance of community empowerment through providing space for resource partners, health centers, and cultural practitioners. They focused on the significance of education for Kānaka Maoli youth and offered a school supply donation drive. There, HCAP shared awareness of Head Start and Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program for families and keiki. Many community members were interested to learn about the HCAP Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Service’s range of resources, such as job readiness training, tuition assistance, and employment partnerships and opportunities. Through events like this, HCAP staff are able to share the resources available to the communities who could benefit from assistance with self-sufficiency.

Also tabling at the event, was a current HCAP client working at Waimanalo Health Center who enrolled her children at Head Start. She shared her enthusiasm about HCAP’s educational resources and wraparound services and found that her own patients at the health center could benefit from these programs, as well.

HCAP would like to thank Nā Kua’āina O Waimānalo for organizing Lā Ho’Iho’I Ea and inviting community resource partners, like HCAP, to such an incredible celebration and community gathering. Mahalo nui to the organizers, families, and community members that visited HCAP’s booth.

Click here to learn more about HCAP’s programs and services.