HCAP WEEKLY May 20, 2024

VITA Tax Program Makes Tax Filing Assistance Accessible for Kūpuna and the Community

During the months of February through April, each of HCAP’s six District Service Centers and HCAP’s Corporate office offer assistance to the public with free tax preparation in partnership with Susan Tamanaha from Hawaii Tax Help. This year, HCAP’s partners helped to bring in $758,788 in federal dollars back into our state, of which $431,044 were from HCAP clients. HCAP processed 831 tax returns with federal refunds totaling $940,984 and State returns totaling $497,552.

The Honolulu Community Action Program has been running the Hawaiʻi Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Tax program for over 15 years and has helped to bring in over 5 million dollars of Federal money back into the state of Hawaii. At many other tax sites, families are often charged $200-$400 just to process their return. Many of HCAP’s clients express how thankful they are for this free service.

HCAP District staff also worked with kūpuna, or senior citizens, to assist them with filing tax returns. Many kūpuna no longer need to file a federal return but are eligible for the Hawaii Food Tax Credit, which doubled this year from $110 to $220. For kūpuna living on a fixed income, any extra money saved is greatly appreciated. Many of these clients feel safe working with HCAP due to the rise in identity theft, especially with kūpuna.

HCAP has also had the privilege to work with volunteers from Community Colleges and Bank of Hawaii each year who assist the staff with tax preparation.

Click Here to learn more about HCAP’s VITA Program.

Kūpuna Receives Wraparound Services with Weatherization Assistance Program

Phillis is a senior who first contacted HCAP for services with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). She was thankful when a WAP Specialist reached out to her to inform her that she also qualified for wrap-around services with HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

After a WAP Specialist conducted a free in-home assessment, they found that her home was missing a smoke detector and installed one for her. Phillis was thrilled to receive an energy star refrigerator to replace her older model. She mentioned that as a senior with a fixed income, they wouldn’t be able to afford this upgrade that will also help lower their utility bill.

Click Here to learn more about the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Windward STEM Students Hold a Cultural Exhibition for Family Night

The Windward Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program students immersed themselves in an endeavor to teach others about different cultures through research, displays, and presentations as they hosted a cultural exhibition for Windward STEM Exploration Family Night.

Students celebrated different cultures around the world and were encouraged to come to class dressed in their assigned cultural attire or to wear the colors of their nation’s flag. As a bonus, students prepared a cultural dish or created a hands-on activity for their presentations. As they trekked around the world, families and friends received passports that were stamped upon arrival at each country.

Dmitriy shared about Japan and made homemade mochi. In New Zealand, Tevaka talked about the korowai cloak and served warm meat pies. Families then traveled over to Greece, where Roxy shared the importance of olives and oils for your body, and to Australia where Emma passed out lamington cakes drizzled in chocolate and rolled in coconut flakes.

Keila and Kayliana gave a presentation on artist Frida Kahlo in Mexico while serving delicious enchiladas, rice, and beans. Traveling north to China, Abel and Reecio performed a lion dance to chase away evil spirits and passed out goodluck candies. Nikolai gave families a taste of pannenkoeken (Dutch pancakes) in the Netherlands before they made their way down south to Spain to learn flamenco dancing. In Egypt, families were given a history lesson on King Tut and the last surviving trumpet found in his tomb. The final destination for the tour was in Brazil, where Kai shared about the Amazon Forest, brigadeiro (Brazilian candy), and the famous soccer player, Neymar Júnior.

Given the wonderful opportunity to travel around the world and learn about different cultures, Windward STEM students are now excited to learn more about Polynesian culture in preparation for their upcoming field trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center in June. What a way to celebrate cultural diversity!

Click Here to learn more about the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School program.