HCAP WEEKLY January 27, 2025

Couple Lowers Their Energy Bill Through Wraparound Services

Suivaaia and her household live on a limited income due to her husband’s health and being the primary caretakers for her parents. They were concerned with how high their energy bill was and were falling behind on their electricity bill. So, she reached out to HCAP’s Central District Service Center for assistance.

Her community services specialist, Sheree, helped her apply for the Hawai’i Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) which prevented the disconnection of their electricity services. Sheree also informed her about the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) as another way to lower their energy usage.

Once they applied and qualified for the program, a WAP Specialist conducted a home energy audit and shared some energy efficiency tips with the household. Through the audit, it was determined that the rise in their bill was due to their water heater not functioning properly and some issues with their electric stove. The WAP Specialist assisted them with receiving free replacements for both the water heater and electric stove.

In addition to the new measures, their WAP Specialist also installed other energy efficient devices such as LED light bulbs, power strips, handheld showerheads, and sink aerators to assist with lowering their utility bill.

Suivaaia was so appreciative of all the assistance her ohana received from HCAP and sent a huge heartfelt mahalo to their WAP Specialist, Shawn, and HCAP Central staff for all their assistance.

Click here to learn more about Weatherization Assistance.

STEM Students Learn About Food Chains and Ecosystems

Throughout the month of January, the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program students have been learning about insects, bugs and critters. At the Kalihi STEM Exploration Center, the students learned about food chains, pollinators, and ecosystems.

Students worked together on a hands-on research project to learn about different ocean food chains. They started by selecting, labeling, and designing cups to represent different organisms. The goal of the activity was for students to figure out what order to stack the cups in based on the position a species occupies in a food web.

Students placed phytoplankton or algae at the base of the food chain since they are primary producers and can make their own food. On the second level of the stacked cups, they added primary consumers, which feed on the primary producers. Higher up on the food chain, students added secondary consumers to the stack, since they prey on smaller organisms. Finally, at the top of the stack, they placed tertiary consumers–the apex predators. As students stacked the cups, they discussed the concept of trophic levels and how each level represents a step in the flow of energy through the ecosystem.

Along with learning about food chains, the students also explored the vital role of pollinators, especially bees, in the environment. They learned about the pollination cycle and how bees transfer pollen between flowers, enabling plants to reproduce. Students also discussed ways to protect bees, such as planting flowers that attract bees and are easy to pollinate, in addition to reducing pesticide use. To supplement this lesson, they made a healthy fruit crumble recipe from scratch, using berries, honey, and almonds. Students were able to learn about how pollination is vital for producing fruits and nuts that consumers enjoy. This activity emphasized the importance of bees and other pollinators in sustaining the food supply.

For their most recent activity, students went scavenging for bugs in the school yard, where they discovered a variety of insects, including beetles, larvae, and ants. They also found grasshoppers and butterflies. After the scavenger hunt, students learned about the importance of insects’ habitats and ecosystems. They built a terrarium to observe plant-insect interactions and created a bug hotel to provide shelter for local insects. This activity reinforced concepts of biodiversity, ecosystems, and the interdependence of all living things.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.

Kalaeloa Client Completes 60-Days of Employment

Ensiena was referred to the Kalaeloa District Service Center to seek assistance with finding new employment in May 2024. Business had slowed down with her previous employer which made it harder for her to work enough hours to make ends meet. After completing her intake, Kalaeloa staff enrolled her in the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) program where she completed job readiness training and received help with creating a new resume.

Most of Ensiena’s experience had been in the food industry and she was looking to start something new. Kalaeloa staff explored several different options with her including jobs as a cashier, janitorial, and inventory stocker. With English being one of the biggest barriers for Ensiena, she often struggled to get past the interview stage. Staff offered ESL classes as a resource to help build her confidence, but unfortunately attending classes would be difficult since she is the sole caregiver for her husband.

In order to help her get refocused and not discouraged, Kalaeloa staff had suggested that Ensiena apply for the open Resident Aide position at Kumuhonua Transitional Living Shelter. This would allow her to make money to support herself and her husband while still being able to care for him on a daily basis.

Staff worked with her to complete the application and submitted it to human resources. Once they received the okay to move forward with the hiring process, Ensiena completed the background check and within two weeks she had her first shift. It has now been 60 days since she has started her new job, and she states that she loves the freedom and convenience that this job offers her. The Kalaeloa District is so proud of the accomplishments Ensiena has made and will continue to be a support system to help her reach all her goals.

Click here to learn more about HCAP programs and services.