HCAP WEEKLY September 18, 2023

HCAP District Manager Leads Students from Humble Community Classes to Award-Winning Halau 
KTLC Resident Becomes Registered Behavior Therapist
HCAP Staff Kickoff with First LEGO League

HCAP District Manager Leads Students from Humble Community Classes to Award-Winning Halau 

HCAP is extremely proud of Windward District Service Center Manager Sonny-Jean Preston, for her accomplishment in the Hula ʻOni E competition as a Kumu Hula for her halau, Halau Kiuwailehua.

The Hula Oni E competition held its 29th annual hula festival at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on August 26-28th. This prestigious competition is put on annually by the De Rego Ohana and is thought to be one of the biggest competitions in Hawaiʻi, attracting thousands worldwide. Sonny-Jean’s halau has been participating annually since 2016.

Halau Kiuwailehua received 1st place and top honors in these 2023 Hula Oni E categories:

• Miss Hula Oni E 2023 – Mahinalani Schwenke Mathias Kaluhiokalani

• Miss Keiki Hula Oni E 2023 – Herleigh-May Antolin

• Wahine Auana – 1st place

• Hula Oni E division – 1st Place

• Wahine overall winners

Halau Kiuwailehua was started by Kumu Sonny in 2015 at HCAP’s Central District Service Center. Free hula classes were offered to the public in hopes of sharing and perpetuating the Hawaiian and hula culture while aiming to give keiki and young adults a positive avenue to stay out of trouble. The halau operated out of the Central District Center for two years, attracting attention and growing to host haumana (students) from all over the island. Once Halau Kiuwailehua reached capacity at Central, the halau geared toward new goals and began operating at KEY Project, next door to HCAP’s Windward District Service Center where Sonny-Jean is the Manager.

Today, Halau Kiuwailehua is 102 members strong with 42 of those members beginning with Sonny-Jean at HCAP’s Central District Service Center back in 2015. In fact, this year’s “Miss Keiki Hula Oni E”, Herleigh-May Antolin, first began attending hula when her mom Emmaline, a former Central LIHEAP and Windward District Center Community employee, heard about the classes through HCAP.

Sonny-Jean has faithfully worked at HCAP for 14 years and has been the Manager at the Windward District for the past three years. HCAP is extremely proud of Sonny-Jean for her strong work ethic, wonderful leadership skills, and dedication to her community both through her work with HCAP and beyond.

Click Here to learn more about HCAP’s Programs and Services.

KTLC Resident Becomes Registered Behavior Therapist

Keyshawna is a US Veteran currently living at the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Shelter (KTLC). Keyshawna was referred to the Kalaeloa District Service Center by KTLC staff for assistance with her job search and transportation needs. Keyshawna successfully completed job readiness training through HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core ServicesProgram, and was provided with a Holo card as well as several job leads for employment.

During this process, Keyshawna was very active in her journey toward self-sufficiency and made a point to stop by the district office several times a week to talk about her progress. Keyshawna found success through the program and secured full-time employment as a Registered Behavior Therapist. Keyshawna is currently going through the onboarding process and is looking forward to this new and exciting employment opportunity.

Click Here to learn more about HCAP’s Programs and Services.

HCAP Staff Kickoff with First LEGO League

Recently, the HCAP Information Services team and Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program’s teachers attended the First LEGO League Kickoff that was held at ʻIolani Elementary School. This event officially marks 20 years of First LEGO League in Hawaiʻi!

The event was split into two informational sections regarding First LEGO League. The first section included presentations about this year’s theme, “Masterpiece: First In Show”. The presentations included a combination of different art styles and mediums, using the power of STEM (or STEAM) to empower and inspire youth to create and communicate art across the globe. One presenter was Vivita, a non-profit based globally with a location in Hawaii called Vivistop Honolulu. Vivita is a studio of innovation and creativity, empowering kids to inspire, create, and innovate to change the world for the better through art, woodwork, music, and more.

The second informational section highlighted details on this year’s robotics games. The presenters shared details on how First LEGO League operates, what the scoring rubric includes, as well as a Q&A session. The audience was introduced to various artists and masters in their craft to further inspire kids to create and innovate. HCAP staff cannot wait to share what they learned with the students participating in First Lego League this year.

Click Here to learn more about the HCAP’s STEM Program.