HCAP WEEKLY December 6, 2021

Weatherization Assistance Program Helps Kupuna In Need

Earlier this year, Martha returned home from a hospital stay to find a broken water heater. As a senior citizen living alone, she had few options to remedy the issue herself. Martha reached out to the State of Hawaiʻi Office of Community Services for assistance and was referred to apply for HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). 

Once Martha’s application was accepted, WAP staff got to work completing her home energy audit. Martha was excited to find out she qualified to receive a new Energy Star refrigerator and hybrid water heater through the program. 

However, a problem arose on installation day. After connecting Martha’s new water heater, the plumber was unable to test the appliance. Something was preventing the flow of hot water. A closer inspection revealed that the home’s galvanized piping had accumulated hard water buildup over many years, narrowing the space for hot water to flow to the size of a pinhole.

The buildup had rendered the pipes unusable, and the plumber recommended full replacement with new copper piping. WAP staff brought this recommendation to the attention of HCAP’s Executive Management Team, who approved the full replacement of the galvanized pipes in Martha’s home. With the help of HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program and program partner Larry’s Plumbing, Martha has hot water once again. 

Click Here to learn more about Weatherization Assistance.

Windward Preschool Teacher Back to Work After Pandemic Struggles

Jeanann reached out to HCAP’s Windward District Service Center when she lost her job at St. Ann’s Model Preschool due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She decided to enroll in the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program to complete Job Readiness Training, hoping to improve her resume and interview skills. 

However, with statewide shutdowns impacting the education system, Jeanann still struggled to find another position in her field. She tried to make her babysitting services into a full-time job, but the rise of remote work meant many of her former clients no longer needed at-home childcare.

With the help and encouragement of her family and Windward staff, Jeanann kept applying for different positions at various schools on Oʻahu. Her perseverance eventually paid off when she found luck in her hometown of Kāneʻohe. Jeanann has now been steadily employed at Rainbow Preschool in Kāneʻohe for several months, and is thrilled to be back doing the work she loves most, early childhood education. 

Click Here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services. 

Discovering the Butterfly Life Cycle with Waimānalo Pre-Plus

At Waimānalo Pre-Plus, the HCAP Head Start keiki have been learning about the life cycle of butterflies by watching them grow and transform in real time. The children interacted with and cared for the caterpillars as they grew larger each day, watching as each one formed a chrysalis to begin transforming into a butterfly. The whole class was excited to see the metamorphosis taking place before their eyes. Once the caterpillars emerged as butterflies, it was time for the project’s grand finale: releasing the butterflies to fly away to find a new home.

Click Here to learn more about HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start.

Two Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center Participants Secure Permanent Housing

HCAP would like to congratulate Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center program participants Walter and Anthony for securing permanent housing in November with the help of Oʻahu Housing Now (OHN). OHN is a CARES Act-funded rapid re-housing program providing supportive services to assist homeless individuals in securing and maintaining housing.

On November 5, Walter met with his new landlord to sign a one year lease for a unit at Mākaha Surfside. During his time at Kumuhonua, Walter enrolled in vocational training and will soon be working full time as a professional carpenter. He is now settling into his new home and happy to be living with his children once again while pursuing his new career. “[Walter] was able to achieve so much while being a part of our program,” said Kumuhonua Case Manager Makamae Ranua. He hopes that one day his children will be able to understand that “no matter how hard life is, you can always get back up.”

On November 17, Anthony secured permanent housing at a shared property in Waipahu. He was able to officially move in and start his next chapter on November 22. Anthony is doing well in his new home, which includes his own private bedroom and common areas shared with other roommates. “He feels lucky to have his own place to call home and is proud of himself for achieving this long-term goal of permanent housing,” Case Manager Makamae Ranua shared. 

Click Here to learn more about Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center.