HCAP WEEKLY March 9, 2026

Cultural Learning in Head Start

Last month, HCAP Head Start keiki explored Chinese culture and learned about the traditions associated with the Lunar New Year. They discovered how some families may celebrate the start of a new year on the lunar calendar and learned about the differences between the Chinese Lion and Dragon dances. A grandparent who is a member of the Asian Lion Dance Team volunteered at Ala Wai and engaged in an immersive experience with the children. He modeled playing the traditional drum and provided the children with the opportunity to play the drum as well. As the children observed how the sound of the drum guided his movement, they mimicked his movements as they performed their own lion dance.

Additionally, they were each gifted a small stuffed horse after learning that each year in the lunar calendar is represented by an animal that is associated with various Chinese traditions and attributes. This experience supported the children’s growing understanding of community while encouraging curiosity and confidence in their own traditions. It also increased their cultural responsiveness, which promotes children’s self-concept, cultural pride and improves academic and social outcomes in the classroom.

Click here to learn more about Head Start.

Leahi Client Receives Tuition Assistance Through ECS and Completes Nurse Aide Certification

Leilani was referred to HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) program from Professional Healthcare Educators (PHE), one of the ECS program’s partners. Leilani has a strong desire to build her life and pursue a more stable future. For several years she faced personal challenges that made it difficult for her to maintain steady employment. Determined to change her path, she decided it was time to reroute her career and invest in a profession that would provide stability and purpose.

When she connected with HCAP’s Leahi staff, she expressed a clear goal: to enroll in a Nurse Aide training program and obtain her certification. She hoped that gaining these credentials would open the door to better and more stable employment opportunities. She shared that working in healthcare always interested her and she believes it is a meaningful job where she can help others.

With the support from the Nā Lima Hana program, she qualified for tuition assistance and enrolled in PHE’s Nurse Aide training course and committed herself fully to completing the program. Throughout the duration of her classes, she demonstrated dedication and a strong desire to succeed. Leilani successfully completed the course and earned her Nurse Aide certificate. With her certification and renewed confidence, she is now ready to explore new opportunities in the healthcare field.

Click here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana.

Windward STEM Students Give Back to the Community and Explore Culture

Last month, Hā Initiative Windward STEM students showed leadership and compassion by serving the community through a food drive. Students collected canned goods and non-perishable items to support local kūpuna. Through this service project, students learned the importance of community responsibility, organization, and teamwork. They practiced real-world skills such as planning, sorting, counting donations, and understanding how small actions can make a big impact.

This month, students are studying the topic of food and nutrition. Windward STEM students shifted from serving the community to exploring culture and science in the kitchen during a Gastronomy Friday lesson by learning about ube, a vibrant purple yam commonly used in Filipino cuisine. Students discovered the nutritional benefits of ube, including fiber and antioxidants. Furthermore, they discussed how plants grow, where food comes from, and how cultural foods connect to the local Hawaiʻi community. By exploring ube through hands-on learning, students connected food science with cultural appreciation.

Students then applied their STEM skills by measuring, mixing, and cooking their own batch of ube pancakes. They practiced math through measuring cups and fractions, explored science concepts like chemical reactions while cooking, and followed step-by-step engineering processes to create their final product. This activity combined Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in a fun and meaningful way showing students that STEM is everywhere, even in the food we cook and share.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.