HCAP WEEKLY September 22, 2025

Leeward Homeowner Receives Free Energy Efficient Measures from Weatherization

Debbie is a homeowner living on a fixed income. When her 27-year-old gas water heater gave out, it led to a multitude of health and safety concerns. She contacted HCAP’s Leeward District Service Center and inquired about the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

After completing her application, the WAP team conducted an energy audit of her home. With her old gas water heater broken, water was no longer being pumped to her showers. This led her to build a makeshift water supply line from her bathroom sink to the shower. This meant she wasn’t getting any hot water at all. The WAP team also found that Debbie qualified for replacements of her refrigerator, low-flow aerators, showerheads, LED light bulbs, smoke alarms, and smart power strips. Additionally, she was given educational tips on energy efficiency.

Once all installations were completed, the WAP team conducted a final inspection of her home. Weatherization Assistance Program Manager, Amber Keaulana, shared, “Upon walking up Debbie’s driveway, she came out of her front door and immediately expressed her gratitude for all that HCAP has done for her and gave me a warm hug. Debbie said she was so happy to have her shower back to normal and hot running water again as she stood proudly next to her new water heater. When I walked into her home, she showed me a sweet, heart-felt message she had written on her chalk wall. It’s a truly pono and wholesome feeling I get when I see the positive impact HCAP has had in helping our clients.”

Click here to learn more about the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Honolulu STEM Students Enhance Engineering Design Skills

The young engineers at Hā Initiative’s Honolulu STEM Exploration Center took on two exciting engineering design challenges! Their first mission was to prevent a water balloon from bursting when dropped from a large height.

Working in teams, students brainstormed, designed, and used creativity to build protective devices for the water balloons. The class was eager to test their creations, analyze what worked, and make improvements to strengthen their designs.

In addition to the water balloon challenge, students endeavored on another engineering challenge to create a structure strong enough to hold a can of food using paper and tape. This activity encouraged them to think critically about balance, strength, and stability while working within the confines of basic classroom materials.

Both challenges gave students the opportunity to practice the engineering design cycle of planning, building, testing, and improving. Most importantly, they learned that mistakes and redesigns are just part of the process of becoming great problem-solvers.

Click here to learn more about the Hā Initiative.

Central Client Obtains ECS Tuition Assistance for Nursing Aide Certification

A Central District Service Center client was referred to HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services program (ECS) through Hawaii Medical College’s recommendations in order to achieve her dreams of becoming a Certified Nursing Aide. She was already working in this field, however; she needed a certification and formal training in order to advance in her career and be able to get ahead. This individual came prepared, enthusiastic, and dedicated to beginning her coursework. She applied for tuition assistance with ECS for the Basic Nursing Aide program at Hawaii Medical College. She received full tuition assistance and completed Job Readiness Training to prepare her for her time after graduating from her program.

Before the certification, this individual worked hard to develop her communication skills and professional skills, so she can communicate well with patients in order to achieve better health outcomes for them. Now that she has successfully graduated from her Basic Nursing Aide program she is even closer to her dreams of helping her patients and advancing her career. She now has the necessary hands on training, knowledge, schooling, and certification that she needs in order to practice as a Certified Basic Nurse Aide.

HCAP’s Central District Service Center and the ECS program wishes her the best in all her future endeavors to help those in need and wishes her continued success as a newly Certified Basic Nursing Aide.

Click here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana.