HCAP WEEKLY December 14, 2020

HCAP Head Start Director Grant Kogami is Selected to Join the National Community Action Partnership’s Head Start Task Force

We are excited to share that HCAP’s Head Start Director, Grant Kogami, has been selected as a member of the National Community Action Partnership’s Head Start Task Force. The Head Start Task force will advise NCAP’s Board of Directors on actions related to early childhood issues and advocate on behalf of the Community Action Network in order to promote the historical and programmatic synergies that exist between Community Action and the Head Start early childhood education model.

Congratulations to Grant on this well deserved opportunity! We are proud that one of HCAP’s own will be utilizing his knowledge and experience to pave the way for early childhood education in the future!

July – September 2020 Quarterly Newsletter

We’re excited to share the July – September 2020 issue of Ku`i Na Lono: Spread the News. Featuring these stories and more:

• Nā Lima Hana Participants Gain Employment as Health Care Professionals
• HCAP Prepares Windward Kupuna for Hurricane Douglas
• After a Long Search, Family of Ten Secures Permanent Housing

Download the July – September 2020 Quarterly here.

View past Quarterly Newsletters Here.

HCAP’s Hale Kākou Program Helps Family Pay their Rent Bills and Maintain Stable Housing

Mary’s family first met HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center staff last year to receive assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program. Since then, Mary’s household has been greatly impacted by the pandemic. She had been laid off from her full-time job due to COVID-19 and her spouse’s work hours were drastically decreased. This ill-fated turn of events rocked their household’s financial stability. Mary continued to search for employment opportunities, but struggled to make any headway. The string of obstacles deeply frustrated Mary and eventually brought her to a halt in searching for employment opportunities. 

Mary then reached out to the Leahi District Service Center to see if there were any programs that could help. After speaking with the Leahi District Service Center staff, Mary applied to HCAP’s Hale Kākou Program, which provides rent, mortgage and utility assistance for those directly affected by COVID-19. The Leahi District staff also took this as an opportunity to enroll Mary into the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program. Through the Nā Lima Hana Program, Mary will receive employment counseling services, resume building and help in finding job opportunities. 

We are excited to share that Mary’s application to the Hale Kākou Program was approved. She recently shared with our Leahi staff that their rent bill had been paid. Being able to maintain stable housing and enrolling in the Nā Lima Hana Program has restored hope and inspiration in Mary.  Our staff continue to assist Mary with HCAP resources to help her and her family get back on their feet.

Has your family been affected by COVID-19? Are you struggling with rent, mortgage or utility bills? You may qualify for HCAP’s Hale Kākou Program. Learn more about the program by visiting: https://www.hcapweb.org/hale-kakou/

Hā Initiative Family and STEM Program Manager Featured on Hawaii News Now

HCAP would like to thank Hawaii News Now (HNN) for featuring one of our Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School families and HCAP’s STEM Program Manager. The family, whose children have been participating in HCAP’s Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, has been working closely with HCAP’s STEM Manager, Mio Shimada, especially since they lost their income due to COVID-19. Their mother Mina shared with HNN reporter, Mark Carpenter, that all her family wants for Christmas is for her husband to have his job back so they can be financially stable again. 

Our Hā Initiative Program strives not only to provide free STEM education to students, but also to provide families with added support and resources. To view the HNN feature, click on the video above!

Hā Initiative Students Receive a Special Visit from HNN Weather Anchor Guy Hagi!

HCAP’s Hā Initiative students have been learning all about the weather and climate and they recently had a special guest speaker…Hawaii News Now Weather Anchor Guy Hagi! Last week, Guy Hagi joined the student’s virtual zoom classroom to share his professional experience and what it takes to become a weather anchor!

Guy first shared that his interest in becoming a weather anchor began with his love of surfing and looking at surf reports. He first started his career in radio by doing surf reports on several radio stations and eventually became the morning weatherman on KHNL. He was then hired to be a Weather Anchor at Hawaii News Now and has been there for 25 years. 

After sharing his “origin story,” Guy then explained to students that most weather anchors use one main source for their reporting, the National Weather Service. He talked about the accuracy of weather reporting and how the further out the days are, the less accurate the reading may be. Guy also spoke about the importance of climate change and how it will affect not only our shorelines, but also surfing spots and water sports. Finally, Guy talked more about one of his passions…surfing! He shared with student’s the best places on the island to surf depending on the surfer’s skills. 

Our students were excited and thrilled to have Guy Hagi in their class. Throughout the Guy’s visit they were able to ask their questions, and had lots of fun learning from a real-life weatherman!

Want your keiki to get involved in STEM? Email hcapstem@hcapweb.org for more information.