HCAP WEEKLY December 25, 2023

The Central District Collaborates with Helemano and Holomua Elementary Schools to Help Those in Need

The Central District Service Center’s Kokua E Hanai Keiki Program (Help Feed the Children) was fortunate this holiday season to collaborate with two exceptional elementary schools during this holiday season. Helemano Elementary School, located in a humble pineapple plantation town just outside Wahiawa Town in Whitmore Village, is home to many families still employed by the Dole Pineapple Company. Meanwhile, Holomua Elementary School, located in Ewa, once a rural plantation town surrounded by sugarcane fields, has recently transformed into one of the island’s fastest-growing and most populated areas. Despite their diverse locations, both schools share a common thread—a commitment to community and compassion.

HCAP’s Kokua E Hanai Keiki Program was designed with the goal of helping feed the children and has since remained a vital part of the Central District Service Center’s programs. Over the past couple of years, the program expanded to incorporate hygiene products in its drives, recognizing the oversight of essentials such as soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, and women’s hygiene products as an essential need.

Over the years, the program has received considerable support from various organizations, schools, and most recently Hawaiian Electric’s Customer Service (Revenue Management and Customer Ombudsman). The program has assisted many who are transitioning back into the community, seniors on fixed incomes, homeless families and individuals, as well as those facing temporary challenges.

The Helemano and Holomua families have seen their fair share of hardship over the past few years, but despite facing hardships, the Helemano and Holomua families rallied to support HCAP’s efforts. These schools embody a spirit of taking care of one another rooted in their ancestors’ traditions from the early plantation days; diverse groups with distinct cultures and values joined forces to create better lives for their families, emphasizing the need to support one another—a tradition still upheld by their keiki today.

Through this collaborative effort, the students learned valuable lessons about helping others in their community, teamwork, and generosity. Together they donated over 4,000 canned goods and hygiene products, ranging from various canned meats, soups and vegetables, saimin, rice, boxed cereal, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, deodorant, and many other items that can be taken for granted.

The Helemano Student Council and Aloha Ambassadors led this year’s drive and had the opportunity to meet the original Katy Perry, the Central District Service Center Manager. Leigh Padilla, Student Activities Coordinator, shared that she had been promoting the inspiring work HCAP does to her students. Katy was overjoyed to see all the warm smiles and to hear that the students referred to her as the original Katy Perry (not the singer).

The Central staff has begun distributing these donations to the many families and individuals in need during this holiday season, including those at HCAP’s Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center. The Central District Service Center would like to give a BIG mahalo to the wonderful staff and students at Holomua and Helemano Elementary School for believing in HCAP’s programs and their commitment to the well-being of their community.

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Kalaeloa Client Helps Foster a Partnership

During a recent follow-up appointment at the Kalaeloa District Service Center, client Alyssa provided an update on her family’s situation. Alyssa expressed her gratitude for the assistance she received with tuition from HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana – Employment Core Services, noting that everything has been going well since then. However, during the discussion, she mentioned that she had recently given birth and was facing challenges in affording diapers for her newborn.

Responding promptly, Nola, the Kalaeloa Community Services Specialist, reached out to the nonprofit organization Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies. The following day, Nola met with Erin and Courtney from the organization, securing a supply of diapers for Alyssa and her baby. This encounter not only addressed an immediate need but also allowed Nola to establish an ongoing partnership with the organization for future collaborations.

The Kalaeloa District office expresses profound gratitude for clients like Alyssa, who graciously allow the center to assist them and, in doing so, foster positive and essential relationships, as demonstrated by the meaningful connection formed with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.

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HCAP’s District Service Centers Spread Holiday Cheer with the Toys for Tots Program

Several of HCAP’s District Service Centers participated in the Toys for Tots program yet again this holiday season. The dedicated staff at the Kalihi Palama District Service Center successfully procured over 500 quality toys, spreading holiday joy among HCAP’s clients and partners. Collaborating with the Leahi District Service Center staff, the Kalihi-Palama team efficiently retrieved the toys from the Kaneohe Marine Corp Base.

HCAP’s valued partner, Kukui Gardens, took charge of organizing the gifts for their Christmas gathering program, ensuring that all the children there were able to receive toys from Santa Claus. HCAP staff also joined forces with the partners at Kekaulike Courtyard, a residence for low-income individuals and senior citizens, to distribute gifts to the children residing in the apartment building. Both partnerships brought joy to residents and were delighted to give out toys during the festive season.

The Windward District Service Center also collaborated with Toys for Tots and provided over 100 toys to children on the windward side of Oahu. The Windward staff expresses gratitude to the KEY Project for their valuable assistance in the distribution process, along with Kalae Kukahiko, HCAP’s new district council and board member. The collective efforts of the District Service Centers and HCAP’s partners made a significant impact, ensuring that children in various communities experienced the magic of the holiday season through thoughtful gift-giving.

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