HCAP WEEKLY February 9, 2026

Leeward Household of 7 Save on Energy Bills Through Weatherization

Janice, who is a single mother of 6 children, initially came to HCAP’s Leeward District Service Center to apply for the Hawai’i Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) to prevent energy disconnection. Being familiar with HCAP’s services and programs, she also applied to the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to help her family save money on monthly energy bills.

After turning in the required documents and finalizing her WAP application, a home energy audit was conducted to assess what measures the household could qualify for. Janice and her family qualified for a free replacement of their 120-gallon solar water heater and small measures including kitchen and bathroom aerators, handheld showerheads, smart power strips, and LED lightbulbs. 

In addition to the free replacements, Janice also received tips and education on energy efficiency in the home. She expressed her gratitude towards all of the HCAP services that assisted her ohana. 

Click here to learn more about Weatherization.

Head Start Keiki Gain Environmental Awareness through STEM Learning

Head Start students increased their environmental awareness through STEM learning and a study on plants. Transforming the outdoor environment into a classroom, children germinated seeds in recycled milk cartons, made hypotheses on sprouting frequencies and connected their observations to a previous study on recycling. The children refined their gross and fine motor skills while engaging in gardening activities and strengthened their social-emotional skills while watering and nurturing planted seeds. They expanded their vocabulary through engaging in discussions about how plants, gardening and recycling are connected to healthy foods and good nutrition.

Children also went on nature walks and examined trees on campus to learn about their role in the ecosystem and how essential they are for butterflies throughout their life cycle. In celebration of completing another study, children created their own Zen gardens using recycled materials and their own hand-painted rocks. These hands-on, engaging and creative experiences continue to support children’s sensory exploration, creativity, and early design skills. Families and children enjoyed sharing what they learned and what they harvested during this time, strengthening language development and home‑to-school connections.

Click here to learn more about Head Start.

Goal Setting for 2026 With Windward STEM Students!

Last month at Windward Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, students rang in the new year by creating vision boards that encouraged reflection, goal-setting, and forward thinking. Students took the time to look back on 2025 and think about their growth, challenges, and successes before setting goals and expectations for the year ahead. Each student then presented their vision board to the class, practicing communication skills and sharing what motivates them as learners.

The goals students shared were thoughtful and diverse. Some focused on strengthening their math skills, while others set reading goals such as completing two chapter books per month. Several students wanted to learn new skills like boogie boarding or surfing, showing curiosity and a willingness to try new challenges. Other goals centered on wellness and personal growth, including catching up on sleep or exploring new cultural foods, highlighting the importance of balance alongside academics.

This activity aimed to connect to STEM learning by reinforcing key skills such as identifying goals, breaking them into achievable steps, and thinking about the strategies needed to succeed just as scientists and engineers do when tackling real-world problems. By reflecting, setting goals, and presenting their ideas, students practiced the mindset of innovation and growth that is central to STEM learning.

To conclude the month of January, HCAP Hā Initiative staff attended a Career Day fair at Kaimuki High School. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about HCAP, while staff got to meet many students who have an interest in education or STEM. The STEM team shared about their job positions, the education required for their position, the most challenging and favorite aspects of working in STEM, and future goals they have for the program.  

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.