HCAP Weekly November 7, 2016

In this week’s issue:

Mahalo to All Veterans
Hā Initiative Students Visit the Honolulu Zoo
HCAP Windward District Service Center Holds Job Fair
Kupuna Learn Tips to Reduce Their Energy Burden
#GivingTuesday 2016
Youth Services Students Learn About Credit
Fall is in the Air at Head Start Kunia I

Mahalo to All Veterans

HCAP would like to take this time to thank all those who have proudly served our country! Happy Veterans Day.

Hā Initiative Students Visit the Honolulu Zoo

This week was a very special week, as the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program went on a field trip to the Honolulu Zoo. The excursion was sponsored by the Elks Club 616 and HCAP. There were 50 students and 17 parents in attendance. Students explored the Zoo’s 42 acre home to 905 different animals. Komodo Dragons, orangutans, elephants, primates, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and a variety of African animals can be seen daily. The students discovered that animals have different habitats; some live in grasslands areas, some live in water and others live both in water and on land. They learned that animals are categorized into three varieties of eaters; herbivores are plant eaters, carnivores are meat eaters, and omnivores are both meat & plant eaters. The excursion was a special time for all of the students and their families. They participated in a family engagement activity in which, both parents and students learned about the different animals in the zoo.

In addition, students were able to participate in three grade level encounters. The students in K – 2nd grade visited the Keiki zoo, where they were able to pet a domestic guinea pig and ferret. The 3rd and 4th graders visited the gharials (also known as the gavial, and the fish-eating crocodile) that live in deep, clear, fast-moving pools. Gharials primarily eat fish and aquatic frogs. The 5th – 8th graders visited the Galapagos tortoise; students discovered that the oldest tortoise at the zoo was over 100 years old. They learned that the Galapagos tortoise is an herbivore (plant eater) and lives on volcanic archipelagos. Students were able to rub the head and neck of the tortoise. They learned that the zoo grows most of the food for the tortoises.

Mahalo to Elks Club 616 for sponsoring this very special day!

HCAP Windward District Service Center Holds Job Fair

The Windward District Service Center hosted a job fair for the Windward community on Wednesday. About 20 employers accepted applications, conducted on-the-spot interviews, and even made some hiring decisions. Available positions were varied- Grey Line has driving positions open, Kumabe HR hires for a variety of administrative positions and Macy’s is hiring seasonal sales associates. The banking industry was represented by Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union and G4S offered positions in the security field. A special “Mahalo” to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for all their assistance and use of their Kaneohe facility.

Kupuna Learn Tips to Reduce Their Energy Burden

In effort to assist senior citizens to lower their energy bills, HCAP Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) staff visited the Kupuna Independent Life Series at the Senior Residences at Iwilei and led a discussion on ways to reduce the residents’ individual energy bills.

The residents received free LED lightbulbs, smart powerstrips and “do-it-yourself” weatherization handouts and tips.

Some easy ways households that live in apartments can save energy and money:
•Cutting just two minutes per shower can save up to $460 per year.
•Replacing eight incandescent bulbs with LED’s will typically use 85% less energy and last 10 to 20 times longer.
•Instead of a clothes dryer, tap into the warm sun and the trade winds to dry your clothes and help them last longer. You’ll save over $300.

For more information on HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program and energy efficiency, please call 521-4531.

#GivingTuesday 2016

From now until November 29, 2016, HCAP will be holding its annual #GivingTuesday campaign to celebrate generosity throughout the giving season. As a calendar day dedicated to giving, #GivingTuesday creates a community that encourages other to give more, give smarter, and to celebrate the spirit of contribution.

We will be highlighting our efforts leading up to #GivingTuesday on November 29, 2016. We ask that you please consider supporting HCAP on this day of giving.

Youth Services Students Learn About Credit

Youth Services C-Base students were taught by representatives from Bank of Hawaii about credit and how to use it wisely. Through an interactive activity, students were able to learn about budgeting and money management. Financial literacy is essential as these students enter the workforce.

Fall is in the Air at Head Start Kunia I

The fall season has begun and Kunia I Head Start children focused their attention on “how things grow.” The class participated in planting sunflower seeds, decorating various pumpkins, and did a study on pumpkins. The class even cut open a pumpkin to see what the inside looked like. Studying about pumpkins is a great way for children to build their vocabulary as they learn new descriptive words for what they see and smell. Pumpkins also provide a platform to strengthen their science, art, and math skills.