HCAP WEEKLY September 15, 2025

Kalihi ECS Client Graduates with Dental Assistant Certification

Jasmine was referred to HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center by the Hawaii Dental Assistant Academy (HDAA) for vocational training assistance. Kalihi staff helped her complete intake into the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services program and helped her through the enrollment process at HDAA earlier in the year.

After turning 20 years old, Jasmine desired to go back to school to further her education. She is still working part-time at her current employer and has recently completed her Dental Assisting certification. Jasmine has also been applying for dental assistant positions to use her new skills in the dental field.

While excited to get her new career started, Jasmine is eager to become independent and self-reliant. She is also working towards helping her family overcome financial burdens they have been experiencing. As she aspires to continue furthering her education in the near future, she first wants to focus on creating stability in her new career path before she starts pursuing higher educational goals. HCAP Kalihi-Palama staff congratulates Jasmine on her achievements and wishes her the best of luck on her new journey as a Dental Assistant.

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Windward STEM Begins School Year with Biome Project

Recently, the Hā Initiative’s Windward STEM Exploration Center reopened their doors for the 2025-2026 school year. Students at Ka‘a‘awa Elementary and Hau‘ula Civic Center kicked off their first STEM lesson by exploring the fascinating topic of biomes–large regions of Earth that have a certain climate and certain types of organisms. Through engaging hands-on lessons, students learned about different types of biomes around the world, such as deserts, rainforests, tundra, grasslands and aquatics. They discussed how climate, geography, plants, and animals work together to form these unique ecosystems.

At Hau‘ula Civic Center, students brought their learning to life by creating biome dioramas. Using a variety of materials collected from their surroundings inside and outside the classroom, they built miniature models that showcased the key features of each biome. From cacti in the desert to polar bears in the arctic, these creative displays not only reinforced their understanding, but also gave them a chance to express their creativity in a meaningful way.

Meanwhile, students at Ka’a’awa Elementary designed their own biome trading cards. Each card included a detailed illustration and important facts about a specific biome. This activity encouraged students to synthesize what they had learned and communicate it in a fun, artistic format. Both projects highlighted the students’ curiosity, creativity, and growing knowledge of the natural world.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.

HCAP Staff Share Services at Renters of O’ahu Resource Fair

Recently, HCAP staff attended the Renters of O’ahu Resource Fair at Keehi Lagoon to talk about the different programs and services that HCAP has to offer. The event was hosted by the Center for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization (OER) for community members to connect with organizations and explore the services that they provide. HCAP staff members from various programs and the Human Resources department attended to share their respective program’s services, along with HCAP’s career opportunities. 

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) team spoke with homeowners and renters about home energy audit services that help to identify ways to reduce utility usage or appliances that may be eligible for free replacements. HCAP’s Head Start program provided information about enrollment and support offered to eligible families and expecting parents to prepare them for early childhood care and education. The Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) team spread awareness about services for job searching and job readiness training, as well as eligible benefits such as: tuition assistance for vocational training programs and HOLO cards for job searchers. Many career opportunities are also available at HCAP, which the Human Resources team shared with the community and its potential job searchers.

Backpacks for keiki going back to school and hurricane preparedness packs for community members were distributed, along with HOLO bus passes. HCAP extends a special thanks to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization for hosting the special resource event and for supporting O’ahu families across the island.

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