HCAP WEEKLY May 1, 2023

HCAP Receives Generous Donation for the Kokua E Hanai Keiki Program

This past week, HCAP’s Central District Service Center had the pleasure of working with HCAP Board member Joanna Markle and former HCAP Board member Judy Hirashima from Hawaiian Electric. Judy contacted Central staff to see if there were opportunities to help the community through HCAP and hoped to plan a community outreach event. Judy wrote “I immediately thought about HCAP and all of the great work that you and the team do for families in need” and mentioned an article she saw about the Kokua E Hanai Keiki Program (Help Feed the Children) on the HCAP Weekly. Judy felt gathering donations for such a great cause would be doable for their team.

Judy and Joanna led the effort to collect hygiene products for the Kokua E Hanai Keiki Program. The HECO team was able to collect: 257 toothbrushes, 72 tubes of toothpaste, 567 yards of dental floss, 42 bottles of shampoo and body wash, 136 bars of soap, 340 sanitary items, 30 deodorants and miscellaneous supplies such as band-aids, hand sanitizer gel, wipes, etc.

Judy and Joanna were overjoyed to deliver these supplies to the Central District Service Center, knowing the hygiene products will support families and individuals in the community who need help with hygiene products that many take for granted. This is a great example of how a small group of caring people can make an enormous impact in the community. Judy shared that on behalf of Hawaiian Electric’s Customer Service Process Area – “We thank you for all that you and your awesome team do for the community and we hope these items help the keiki, kūpuna, and any others in need.” The Central District Service Center staff would like to give a BIG mahalo to Judy, Joanna, and their Customer Service Team for all of their support.

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Nā Lima Hana Partners with Waiʻanae Moku

The partnership between HCAP’s Leeward District Service Center and the Leeward Community College assists clients of the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services with obtaining a college degree or GED. Leeward Community College Wai‘anae Moku is a full-service education center located on the beautiful Wai‘anae coast. Their mission is to provide residents with an accessible, affordable, high-quality college experience in a supportive and respectful environment. Wai’anae Moku has welcomed and supported diversity as well as encouraged education for all walks of life.

For example, a couple of staff members from Leeward Community College started a support group for students in the college setting with significant personal challenges. The program, Access to Education (ATE), considers the various needs of each student in and out of the academic setting. These students may have been affected by former incarceration, being in recovery for substance abuse, a history of adoption and/or foster care, or other personal challenges. Another program that Wai’anae Moku is known for is the Going to Finish On-Time Program (G2FO) which provides extensive support for students pursuing an associate’s degree or trade certificate program. Leeward Community College Wai’anae Moku also offers HISET classes to help individuals obtain their GED and peer mentors to assist students with registration, finding class materials, or applying for the FAFSA. HCAP is thankful for Wai’anae Moku’s partnership and the unique college setting that provides amazing resources for its students and the Leeward community.

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Kumuhonua Participant Moves into Permanent Housing

Kennedy, a long-time participant at Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center (KTLC), was discouraged by the lack of affordable housing and the lack of housing assistance programs. Kennedy entered Kumuhonua shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic and made do with the limited resources he had. He did what he could around Kumuhonua to keep himself busy and tried his best to stay positive, looking forward to brighter days.

Kennedy’s optimistic attitude paid off. In October of 2022, Kennedy’s Case Manager at KTLC, Leinaʻala, assisted him in applying to the City and County’s Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program. Within six months, Kennedy received the great news that his application had been approved and he could start the process of obtaining a housing voucher.

In March of 2023, Kennedy, with the help of Kumuhonua staff, moved into a studio unit in Honolulu. Since moving in, Kennedy has secured full-time employment as a parking attendant at a luxury hotel in Waikiki. Kennedy expresses his gratitude to the whole Kumuhonua staff and loves being able to live independently. Congratulations Kennedy!

Click Here to learn more about Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center.