HCAP WEEKLY May 23, 2022

Leahi District Staff Attend 2022 Celebrate Micronesia Festival

Last weekend, HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center staff attended the 2022 Celebrate Micronesia Festival for a day of community connection through cultural art, activities, performances, and food. The event was held at the Bishop Museum in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center Arts Program, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Pacific Islands Studies, and Micronesian community leaders. 

The theme of this year’s festival, ʻBelonging,’ held special significance for the participating HCAP staff members. “As a nonprofit organization,” Community Services Specialist Hanako Heine explained, “our agency strives to help individuals and families achieve self-reliance as well as a sense of belonging to our Oʻahu communities.” During the event, staff from Chuuk and the Marshall Islands had the opportunity to share HCAP’s programs and services with families from various Micronesian nations, “with the goal of encouraging self-confidence and determination to flourish in a prosperous Hawaiʻi.”

Community Services Specialist Lissette Yamase, an artist herself, also participated in an interactive panel discussion about the different art mediums in the Micronesian community today. HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center staff would like to give a big thanks to the Micronesian community of Hawaiʻi for their hard work and dedication toward community fellowship.

Windward Client Completes 90 Days on the Job

Elijah first visited HCAP’s Windward District Service Center in December 2021 after losing his job. Windward staff knew Elijah would be a good fit for HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program and immediately enrolled him and began his assessment. Elijah shared that his goal was to get help updating his resume and find work close to his home in Hauʻula. 

Within one week, Elijah completed job readiness training where he learned valuable resume building and interview skills. He then began to search for employment opportunities and found a position at Foodland in Lāʻie with the help of Windward staff. Elijah submitted an application online and was able to interview shortly after.

Elijah’s interview was a success and he was offered a position as a grocery clerk at the Lāʻie store. However, an up-to-date tuberculosis clearance was required to move forward in the hiring process, and Elijah worried about being able to schedule an appointment before the one week deadline to complete the test. Elijah reached out to Windward District Service Center for assistance and staff were able to set up a rush testing appointment via telehealth. By the end of the week, Elijah was cleared and able to submit all of the necessary documentation to begin employment. 

Elijah has now been employed for over 90 days. He enjoys his job and coworkers at Foodland and is looking forward to continuing to learn and gain experience to move into a higher position in the near future. 

Click Here for more information about Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services.

Head Start Keiki Investigate Trees

This week, the keiki of HCAP Head Start Kaʻiulani I explored the question, “What can we build with the parts of a tree?” 

The class first investigated leaves, which they used to make clothing. After employing their logic, problem solving, persistence, and ingenuity, the keiki used sticks to construct a house! The young students had fun being engineers and scientists during this investigation.

HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start applications for the 2022-2023 school year are open now! Click Here for more information and how to apply.

HCAP Hosts Leeward Coast Outreach Event with Ohana Ola O Kahumana

On May 19, HCAP’s Leeward District Service Center and Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program staff teamed up with Ohana Ola O Kahumana for an employment outreach event. Kahumana program residents from fifteen different households attended and were able to learn about HCAP’s wraparound services during the event. 

In addition to employment services, participants received information about the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start, and more. They were also able to complete program applications, intake forms, and job readiness training with the help of HCAP staff members. 

Last week’s event was coordinated by Leeward District Manager Val Tavai, Community Services Specialist Karley Santos, and Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program Coordinator Reiko Suʻa. Future outreach opportunities with Kahumana are already in the works. “The event was a success,” Karley shared, “The plan is to visit each month to follow up with clients.”

Click Here for more information about HCAP’s programs and services.