HCAP WEEKLY February 23, 2026

Imagination Station at Head Start Classrooms

HCAP Head Start classrooms across O‘ahu continue to nurture imaginative play and creative exploration throughout their developmentally appropriate and cognitively stimulating curriculum-based studies. Children traveled near and far using recycled materials to transform their classrooms into various real and imaginary locations. Boxes were turned into rocket ships, puppet show theaters and even boats ready to sail across an imaginary sea. 

Through open ended conversations, children engaged in planning, building and explaining their creations. These opportunities supported social emotional growth as children collaborated with peers, negotiated roles and expressed ideas through storytelling and dramatic play. The power of imagination and creativity is evident as children transform materials and moments in meaningful ways.

Click here to learn more about Head Start.

Accessible and Free Tax Filing Through HCAP VITA Program

Every year, HCAP’s District Service Centers and HCAP’s corporate office offer free assistance to the public with tax preparations from February to April. HCAP has held the Hawaiʻi Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for over 15 years. Since starting the tax program in 2009, HCAP has helped to bring in over 10 million dollars back into the state of Hawaiʻi. In 2025, over $1.5 million was brought back into the local community through this program.

While customers are often charged hundreds of dollars to process tax returns through other tax services, the VITA program helps community members file their taxes for free, making it highly accessible for low-income individuals and families to feel secure in filing their taxes and in receiving their returns. 

Across O‘ahu, HCAP will be providing free income tax services from February 2 to April 3, 2026. This program is for working families with an annual income of $79,000 or less in 2025. HCAP tax services include: basic returns with a W2, interest earned from financial institutions, unemployment income received, and basic returns with retirement as long as the taxable amounts are indicated on the 1099 line #2. 

To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call the district office closest to you. And if you have an upcoming appointment, remember to bring a valid Photo ID and Social Security Card for each individual who will be listed on the return. Along with the originals and one extra copy of all tax documents. Examples of tax documents include: W2, Social Security Benefits Statement, Unemployment Benefits Statement, Retirement Benefits (1099-R), Interest Earned (1099-INT), Dividends Earned (1099-DIV), Form 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC for self-employment or independent contract work, statements of mortgage interest and real property taxes paid on a primary residence, etc.

Click here to learn more about HCAP’s VITA Program.

Rapping for History Learning with Central STEM Students

This month at Hā Initiative’s Central STEM Exploration Center, students celebrated President’s Day by combining history, music, and technology into a creative songwriting project. Students worked in small groups to research Presidents of the United States, learned interesting facts about their leadership and accomplishments, and transformed what they learned into original rap lyrics. The classroom was full of excitement as students brainstormed rhymes, practiced rhythm, and supported each other in bringing their ideas to life.

Mana and his little brother Makana chose to research Abraham Lincoln and decided to perform their rap to a Brazilian funk beat, which brought great energy and personality to their performance. Students practiced reading, writing, and public speaking skills while also building confidence and teamwork.

To complete the project, students recorded their performances using iPads. This gave them hands-on experience with technology and allowed them to see their hard work come together in a final product they were proud of. Projects like this give students the chance to learn new academic content while expressing their creativity, building collaboration skills, and discovering fun new ways to share their voices.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.