HCAP WEEKLY September 1, 2025

Head Start’s Week of Self-Discovery and Expression

Across the program, Head Start children explored identity and self-expression through collaborative play and creative activities. As they interacted and worked together, teachers guided them in illustrating their features and emotions during an eco-friendly self-portrait activity using upcycled materials. While creating a self-portrait, they developed their cognitive skills, enhanced their fine motor development and grew their confidence!

The children also strengthened their early literacy and listening skills during story time through engaging with books and discussing the illustrations. These activities supported the children in exploring their physical features, emotions, and how they see themselves in relation to the world around them.

Click here to learn more about Head Start.

Windward Staff Give Back at the Aloha Giveaway Project

HCAP’s Windward District Staff participated in The Aloha Giveaway Project hosted by Windward Community College. The free event was open to the public and allowed participants to gift and receive various household goods and necessities. Some of the items included clothing, kitchenware, household items, and much more. The event encouraged attendees to grow as a community by forming new connections across different associations in the Windward district.

Along with gifting items to participants, HCAP Windward staff members shared information about the programs and services offered at HCAP. After the event ended, the stalls of donors that were once fully lined with items, quickly became empty as recipients filled their bags with big smiles.

Staff were able to speak with a few donors and recipients, and a common outcome was shared among them – relief. Donors were relieved to pass on items they no longer needed to someone who may need it more. Recipients were relieved that they were able to find amazing necessities for themselves, their families, and their homes without spending a cent. HCAP staff enjoyed making new community connections and spreading awareness of valuable HCAP resources. They look forward to engaging in more events that give a hand-up to help members of the Windward community thrive!

Click here to learn more about HCAP’s programs and services.

STEM Students’ First Engineering Design Challenge of the School Year!

This week at Honolulu STEM Exploration Center, the young aspiring engineers tackled their very first design challenge of the school year! The assigned task was to create a device capable of picking up a ping-pong ball while standing 12 inches away from it. Creativity and innovation was displayed by the Hā Initiative STEM students designing their devices. From prototypes that could grab the ball to clever scooping mechanisms, each design highlighted problem-solving skills and imagination in action.

In addition to engineering, the class dove into Hawaiian folklore for the Cultural Studies segment of its STEM curriculum. Students explored the legends of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, and Māui, the demigod known for slowing down the sun and raising the Hawaiian Islands from the sea with his magical fish hook. These stories not only connected the class to Hawaiian culture, but also sparked thoughtful discussions about resilience, creativity, and a respect for nature.

Overall, it was a week of hands-on learning, cultural exploration, and creativity!

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.