HCAP WEEKLY March 16, 2026

Head Start Keiki Celebrate Fatherhood in February

Father engagement is a vital and integral part of parent and family engagement across HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start. Male family members and father figures boost children’s resilience, confidence and social-emotional skills. To celebrate and acknowledge the significant role that fathers and father figures play in their children’s lives, the month of February was dedicated to program-wide family engagement activities.

Several Head Start classrooms hosted and engaged in a sports themed field day where fathers and father figures participated with children in obstacle courses and various physical challenges that resulted in an awards ceremony filled with fun, laughter and mini trophies. While other classrooms enjoyed breakfast with dads, volunteer opportunities in the classroom and creation of handmade arts and crafts. A father who serves as an Officer in the Army shared about his career and read several stories to the children. Each child received a book to take home and share with their families.

A special thank you to all fathers, father figures and HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start staff that collaborated together to perpetuate our program’s core values and mission. We are looking forward to celebrating our mothers for Motherhood in May!

Click here to learn more about Head Start.

Kalihi-Palama Renter Replaces Refrigerator Through Wraparound Services

When Leslie first reached out to HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center, she was initially applying for the Hawai’i Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) to help offset her household’s energy costs. After being approved for the program, HCAP staff referred her to the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) as another resource that could help lower her household’s energy consumption and costs. She was excited to learn how she can save monthly on energy costs and quickly applied for the weatherization program. As a renter living on a fixed income with health complications, Leslie recognized the benefits of energy efficiency in her home. 

After turning in the required documents and application, a home energy audit was conducted where it was determined that she qualified to replace her old refrigerator with a free Energy Star refrigerator. In addition to a brand new refrigerator, Leslie also received sink aerators, showerheads, LED light bulbs, smart power strips and educational tips on energy efficiency all at no cost. Leslie expressed her gratitude for all the assistance provided to her through HCAP.  

If you or anyone you know is interested in applying for the Weatherization Assistance Program and want to see if your household qualifies for a free energy efficient appliance like Leslie, contact your nearest district office or call (808) 447-5440 to get started with the application process.

Click here to learn more about Weatherization Assistance.

Kalihi STEM Students Learn About Engineering from Kiewit Corporation Guest Speaker

Hā Initiative students at the Kalihi STEM Exploration Center welcomed a special guest speaker, David Rourke from Kiewit Corporation, a company that specializes in construction, engineering, and mining. He spoke with students about engineering and explained that at its core, engineering is about solving problems and designing solutions that help communities function safely and efficiently. During the session, David introduced students to four main types of engineers and explained how each field works to address different kinds of challenges. He described the kinds of projects engineers work on, the teamwork involved in large-scale construction and infrastructure projects, and the importance of persistence, creativity, and critical thinking when solving complex problems.

David also shared stories from his own professional journey. He spoke about working on the construction and repair of a hydroelectric dam in northern Canada, where engineers had to work in remote conditions to maintain an important source of renewable energy. He discussed the technical and environmental challenges involved in projects of that scale and how engineers must carefully plan each step to ensure safety and long-term reliability.

Students were especially interested in hearing about his work in Hawaiʻi. After moving to the islands, David worked on projects on Maui following the devastating impacts of the 2023 Hawaiʻi wildfires. He explained how engineering teams helped build temporary housing for residents displaced from Lahaina. Students learned about the preparation required to install underground infrastructure, including how controlled explosives were used to break apart rock below the surface so that engineers could safely install piping and other essential systems.

Prior to the visit, students prepared 25 thoughtful questions for the speaker. Their questions focused on David’s academic journey, the education required to become an engineer, the challenges he has faced in his career, and the benefits of working in a field that contributes to rebuilding and improving communities. Students were fully engaged throughout the discussion and demonstrated strong curiosity about engineering careers.

To conclude the session, David led an interactive activity in which students examined everyday objects such as a cellphone, pen, and book. Students worked together to identify the different types of engineers who might have contributed to designing and producing each item, helping them understand that many engineering disciplines often collaborate to create the products we use daily. The visit ended with a reflective activity where students considered whether they might want to become engineers in the future. Those who expressed interest were encouraged to think about which engineering field might best match their interests and strengths. The experience provided students with a real-world perspective on engineering and inspired them to think about how they might one day help solve problems and build solutions that benefit their communities.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.