HCAP Weekly May 29, 2017

In this week’s issue:

HCAP Holds 2017 Annual Training Day
Kupuna Independent Life Series Receives Funding from Friends of Hawaii Charities
HCAP January – March 2017 Quarterly Newsletter
Hā Initiative Holds Family Nights in May
2017 Ready to Learn School Supply Drive Begins
HCAP Head Start Accepting Applications for the 2017-2018 School Year

HCAP Holds 2017 Annual Training Day

On Friday, May 26th 2017, HCAP staff gathered at the McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park for the 2017 Annual HCAP Training Day. The HCAP Training Day theme, “Together Towards Tomorrow” was reflected in all of the speeches given throughout the day, as over 270 of HCAP’s staff, from different programs and services, listened to stories that reaffirmed the importance of recognizing and celebrating success, becoming positive agents of change, and making plans for the future as a team.

The first speaker was Makana Chai, a lawyer, motivational speaker, and certified wellness consultant, who gave a speech about ways to reduce stress, manage and cope with change, and enjoy life.

HCAP staff were honored and presented awards for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of dedicated service to the agency. Staff members who recently obtained degrees from institutions of higher education were also recognized.

Stephen Stout from the Hawaii Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company (HEMIC) spoke to the staff about workplace safety. Stout said that mistakes and accidents happen. It is important that company culture fosters open communication, so that staff members communicate failures openly and accidents aren’t repeated again.

Joni Tamayo-Wilson and Cindy Suzuki from Employee Benefit Consulting addressed the staff as well. Tamayo-Wilson spoke about HCAP’s Annual Open Enrollment period and how HCAP employees can submit all benefit enrollments and changes through the online benefit platform, BerniePortal from now until Friday, June 16th.

After lunch, HCAP Director of Finance Corinne Murashige announced the winners of the first annual “I’m for Quality” contest, which recognized staff members who have demonstrated quality work and services at HCAP. Community Services Manager Katy Perry, IT Manager Brandon Sparks, and Payroll Specialist Evelyn Rapoza were among this year’s honorees.

The final speaker of the day was cultural practitioner, teacher, and consultant Ramsay Taum, who shared with HCAP staff the Five Pillars of Aloha. These pillars of wisdom, passed down to Taum from his mentor Auntie Pilahi Paki, was adopted by the Hawaii state legislature in 1986 as the Hawai’i Revised Statutes in the “Aloha Spirit Bill.” Here is an excerpt of Auntie Paki’s Aloha chant:

A stands for Akahai, meaning kindness and expressed with tenderness.
L stands for Lokahi, meaning unity and expressed with harmony.
O stands for Olu’olu, meaning agreeable and expressed with tenderness.
H stands for Ha’aha’a, meaning humility and expressed with modesty.
A stands for Ahonui, meaning patient and perservering and expressed with patience, endurance, and tolerance.

Towards the end of the day, HCAP staff were treated to a video presentation, featuring clients from HCAP’s various programs and services. Clients, from different backgrounds and walks of life, talked about how their lives have been positively impacted by the support services from Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program, Head Start, the Senior Community Service Employment Program, Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center, and the five District Service Centers.

The staff also participated in a fun group activity that helped staff learn more about HCAP’s various programs and services.

HCAP’s 2017 Annual Training Day was a great success and was a wonderful opportunity for collaboration, inspiration and celebration of the organization’s achievements throughout the year.

Kupuna Independent Life Series Receives Funding from Friends of Hawaii Charities

On Wednesday, May 31th, 2017, HCAP Director of Community Services Tehani Diaz accepted a grant award from the Friends of Hawaii Charities (FOHC). Friends of Hawaii Charities distributed $1 million in charitable grants from proceeds raised at the 2017 Sony Open in Hawaii. This grant will continue to fund the Kupuna Independent Life Series at 4 locations on the island of Oahu. HCAP has received funding from FOHC for several years, which has enabled the program to grow from 1 location to 4 locations. The Kupuna Independent Life Series is a comprehensive approach to assisting seniors to age in place through interactive health/wellness educational workshops. Additionally, the project provides lessons in nutrition and exercise and facilitates groups supporting issues impacting the elderly. Mahalo for your continued support, Friends of Hawaii Charities!

HCAP January – March 2017 Quarterly Newsletter

We’re excited to share the January – March 2017 issue of Ku`i Na Lono: Spread the News.

Featuring these stories and more:
• HCAP Recognized by Hawaii State Legislature for Homeless Initiative
• HCAP Corporate Office Moves to New Location
• At Kalihi STEM Exploration Center, Coding is Fun and Games

View the January – March 2017 Quarterly here.

View past Quarterly Newsletters here.

Hā Initiative Holds Family Nights in May

Family Nights for the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program were held during the last week of the academic school year. Each STEM Exploration Center hosted families who came to hear about the latest projects and work created by the STEM students. The theme for the Family Nights was healthy snacks. Among the healthy snacks prepared during Family Nights were: well-balanced plates of hummus and vegetables, yogurt and granola parfaits, fruit cups, and “Ants on a Log,” a snack made by spreading almond butter on celery and placing raisins on top.

Making the snacks proved to be fun and interactive, as many of the children helped prepare the food and taught their parents how to combine ingredients to make the food more tasty. For example, transforming a regular Yoplait cup into a parfait with granola and fruit can not only make the yogurt more filling, but also provides additional nutrients for whomever consumes it. Food science and nutrition will continue to be a topic that is covered throughout the summer.

Apart from the snacks workshop, parents and their children also learned about the importance of water safety for the coming summer months. The staff at STEM Exploration Centers showed educational videos about ocean safety in Hawaii, and guided parents on how to make informed choices on swimming beaches by visiting the Hawaii State Department of Health-approved website, Hawaii Beach Safety. Worksheets with facts about the oceanic phyla and marine animals were passed out for children to color and read with their parents. Water safety tips were also passed out to all parents and children, so that children can safely enjoy their time at beaches and swimming pools.

2017 Ready to Learn School Supply Drive Begins

The application process for the Helping Hands Hawaii 2017 Ready to Learn School Supply Drive has begun at HCAP’s District Service Centers. The program offers low-income families with school aged children a starter kit of basic school supplies. Each year countless low-income children begin their first day of school with no school supplies, which make it very difficult for students to be successful in school. This program is crucial to families who are barely making ends meet each month. Families can now submit an application at their nearest District Service Center. The kits will be available for pickup sometime in July before school begins.

HCAP Head Start Accepting Applications for the 2017-2018 School Year

Are you or someone you know in need of comprehensive early childhood education? Spread the word! HCAP Head Start is now accepting applications for children 3-5 years for the 2017-2018 school year. Families are encouraged to apply by calling (808) 847-2400 or visiting our website.