HCAP Weekly October 15, 2018

Windward District Service Center Distributes 6,200 Pounds of Food
Hā Initiative Holds First Family Nights of New School Year
Na Lima Hana Helps Homeless Participant Obtain Job
Windward Kupuna Focus on Positive Thoughts and Good Health
Energy Saving Tips from the Weatherization Assistance Program
HCAP Staff Attend Senior Wellness Event

Windward District Service Center Distributes 6,200 Pounds of Food

This Monday, HCAP’s Windward District Service Center, in partnership with the Hawaii Foodbank, held their monthly Ohana Produce food distribution. 6,200 pounds of food, including bread, cake, juice, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, were distributed to over 174 adults and children. The distribution takes place at KEY Project at 47-200 Waihee Road in Kaneohe.

Although the distribution site is at KEY Project, the Ohana Produce distribution is open to anyone in the community, as long as they register with the Windward District Service Center prior to distribution day. An ID is mandatory for sign-in before food distribution pick-up, which happens around 2pm. The remaining 2018 dates for Ohana Produce in Windward are: November 19th and December 17th.

As the year is coming to a close, some of the Windward District Service Center staff spent Monday morning facilitating the annual Ohana Produce Registration, where they were able to get families and individuals signed up for the upcoming year.

For more information regarding the Ohana Produce Food Distribution, please contact the nearest participating HCAP district service center:
Central: 488-6834
Kalihi-Palama: 847-0804
Leeward: 696-4261
Windward: 239-5754

Hā Initiative Holds First Family Nights of New School Year

The Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After School Program, a 21st Century Community Learning Center, held the first family night of the 2018-2019 school year. Each STEM Exploration Center hosted families who came to hear about the latest projects and work created by the STEM students. As part of the 2018 FIRST LEGO League’s space theme (INTO ORBIT), the students worked in groups to answer the following research questions: How do astronauts sleep in a space station and what do they do to stay healthy? After doing research on living and sleeping conditions in the International Space Station (ISS), the STEM students shared their findings in a presentation in front of their parents and families.

Na Lima Hana Helps Homeless Participant Obtain Job

When Jireh came to HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center Office a few months ago, he was homeless in the Waianae area. He enrolled and completed Job Readiness Training (JRT) in the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Service (ECS) Program. He was hired shortly thereafter at Lanikai Juice as a Crew Member. He has been with them since July, almost reaching his 90 days of work. He is very happy there and his manager has had good things to say about him. Jireh is currently in a transitional shelter, and looking forward to a new start.

Windward Kupuna Focus on Positive Thoughts and Good Health

This Wednesday at the Kupuna Independent Life Series at the Windward District Service Center, the kupuna focused on positive memories. The kupuna reminisced about the good old days, and shared stories about life in Hawaii during those times.

Andrea, a representative from the Kahuku Medical Center, discussed the services that the hospital had to offer. But in keeping with the day’s theme, she also took the time to reminisce about what the hospital was like during the plantation days. The seniors closed the day with lunch, as well as a healthy physical movement class. The Windward kupuna participated in Zumba Gold with Edna, a certified Zumba Instructor. Zumba Gold is a modified version of the original Zumba. It was a fun and upbeat class that the kupuna enjoyed a lot.

Energy Saving Tips from the Weatherization Assistance Program

Did you know that October is National Energy Awareness Month? When replacing appliances around the home (refrigerators, lightbulbs, dish washers, dryers, and air conditioners), there is one thing you should always do: Look for the ENERGY STAR label! October 23rd is ENERGY STAR Day, and there is no better time to switch out some of your old energy eating appliances to newer ENERGY STAR ones. ENERGY STAR appliances have been recognized as the latest in technology and can be a simple way to make sure your appliance is energy efficient and saves you the most money possible. Small changes can have big effects on your bill throughout the upcoming months and years!

Fun fact: If every American home replaced a light bulb with one that has earned the ENERGY STAR certificate, we would prevent nearly 7 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions from 640,000 cars.

HCAP Staff Attend Senior Wellness Event

Last week, HCAP staff attended the Senior Wellness Faire at the Waikiki Community Center. HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center staff teamed up with the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to promote HCAP’s programs and services. The kupuna who attended the wellness fair learned about programs that could benefit seniors. Leahi District Service Center staff used the event as an opportunity to talk about programs such as aforementioned WAP and the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).