HCAP WEEKLY September 29, 2025

A Storytelling Adventure with Head Start Keiki: Diving Into Books and Literacy

Head Start keiki deepened their love for books and storytelling through a variety of literacy-rich experiences. During their monthly visit to their school library, children gathered eagerly as the librarian read aloud and led hands-on activities that brought the story to life. Each child then selected a book to borrow, practicing choice-making and nurturing their growing independence as readers.

While in the classroom, children engaged in read-alouds of books that helped them explore emotions and self-awareness. As they listened and responded to these stories, early literacy skills were built, expanding emotional vocabulary, and helping them practice attentive listening. These experiences supported social-emotional development and encouraged meaningful conversations about how the child feels and how others feel too.

Click here to learn more about Head Start.

ECS Helps Leahi Client Earn Certified Nurse Aide Certification

Zenaida visited HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center in pursuit of beginning a career in healthcare. Before taking this first step, she was working as the sole caregiver for her mother, and through that experience, she wanted to learn of more ways to expand her skills and professional path.

She had recently moved to Hawai’i in search of new opportunities. Despite the challenges of starting over, she embraces her goal of becoming a Certified Nurse Aide. With guidance from the Leahi staff, she successfully completed her intake forms for the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program. Through the ECS program, she was able to receive tuition assistance for the Nurse Aide training program at Professional Healthcare Educators (PHE) and also obtained transportation assistance through a HOLO card.

Her hard work and perseverance paid off when she completed and obtained her certificate. Today, Zenaida is not only equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to provide compassionate, quality care to patients but she is also motivated to give back to her community. Her journey reflects resilience, determination and the power of embracing opportunities.

Click here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana.

STEM Students Experiment with Magnetism Through Slime

This month at the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, students have been learning about the invisible yet powerful force of magnetism. They discovered that magnets create force fields that can attract certain metals and even move objects without touching them. To bring this concept to life, the lesson involved something they already love: slime making.

The experiment began with a review of magnetism, then an introduction of a special ingredient, iron oxide powder. Because it contains iron particles, it responds to magnets. When blended into slime, those tiny particles spread throughout the substance, transforming ordinary slime into a material that can actually move under the pull of a magnet. To test their experiment, the students used powerful earth magnets, also known as neodymium magnets, which are much stronger than the ones usually found on a refrigerator. These magnets created dramatic reactions, making the slime stretch, creep, and even “chase” the magnets across the table.

Donning safety goggles, gloves, and aprons, the students carefully measured and combined their ingredients. First, they mixed glue and water to create the slime base. Next, they stirred in a borax solution, which caused the mixture to thicken and become stretchy. Finally, they added the iron oxide powder, kneading it into the slime until it turned a deep metallic black. When everything was ready, the real fun began.

The classroom filled with laughter as the students tested their creations. They were thrilled to see the slime slither towards the magnets, stretch across surfaces, and even “swallow” small objects in its path. The activity was messy and hands-on, making the scientific principle of magnetism come alive in a way that was both fun and memorable.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.