For some, it’s not easy to isolate or quarantine after being exposed to or testing positive for Covid-19. In Hawaiʻi, the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities are the hardest hit by the virus, largely because many ʻohana live in multigenerational homes.

That’s why the Partners in Development Foundation partnered with the Department of Health to minimize the impact and spread of Covid-19 with Open Arms Harbor, an iso-qurantine hotel that provides a safe and compassionate place for healing, with staff who perform daily wellness checks, meals, and case management care to connect guests with resources within the community.

To support our efforts or for more information on Covid-19 response and resources, visit our Covid Response page. Mahalo nui for your support in helping us create healthy and resilient communities.

Tucked between two churches in Kalihi, running alongside North King Street and Kanoa street, is an easy-to-miss building where Micronesians and Pacific Islanders go for help.

Since the spread of the pandemic in Hawaiʻi, the We Are Oceania office became stacks of donation boxes, echoes of helpline phone calls rattling the cubicle dividers, shuffles of community members’ paperwork, and a whirlwind of five different spoken Pacific Island languages.

The Micronesian and Pacific Island community of Hawaiʻi has been the hardest hit by Coronavirus. State data reported that Pacific Islanders account for 27% of Hawaiʻi’s coronavirus cases, yet only 4% of the state population. It’s no wonder WAO became a recipient of the City and County of Honolulu Coronavirus Relief Fund. The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation administered the commitment of up to $2 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The high percentage of coronavirus cases among the Micronesian and Pacific Islander community is due in part to the lack of accessibility for them. That’s when WAO decided to take the lead in addressing these issues. For individuals interested in receiving support, WAO will be providing the following personalized support:

• Helpline
  • Live helpline open daily from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Available in five Pacific languages
  • Reachable at (808) 913-1364
• Culturally and linguistically-tailored COVID-19 education and awareness efforts
• Assisting individuals and their families in accessing state quarantine and isolation facilities, training, testing and contact tracing
• Social service support in housing, health, food, supplies, and other needs

What’s more, is the community and media’s unending support to get these resources known and available. WAO has since produced Public Service Announcements that have been airing on TV and various social media platforms in five different Pacific Island languages.

“Our collective community efforts will hopefully help to slow down the spread of the virus statewide and bridge the gap between available resources and who has access to them,” said Josie Howard, We Are Oceania Program Director. 

Before the pandemic hit, the one-stop-Micronesian center has been providing services such as language access, health connections, pre-employment training, and service referrals from federal, state and local government resources.

Though the WAO team of very few juggles many hats, they’ve worked day in and day out, hustling between meetings and gathering donations, their mission remains true: to serve, support, and stand with the many voices of Oceania while honoring the integrity of their diverse heritage.

To donate, collaborate, or other ways to support WAO, visit weareoceania.org or call (808) 754-7303.

From August 1st, Ka Paʻalana sites will enhance their online services and prepare for reopening with modifications on November 1st, 2020. The enhanced online services will include implementing online intake for new families, taking regular parent surveys online, and a possible expansion of the Wifi Mobile project among other measures.

Anticipated modifications from November 1st include stocking adequate PPE and cleaning supplies for all sites, determining capacity with respect to social distancing measures, following the latest DHS guidelines, and more.

Ka Paʻalana staff have been utilizing ClassDojo for preschool and parenting classes four days a week since March 30th, and their weekly Kokua Kit distribution recently extended to Kauaʻi.

For more information, contact the Ka Paʻalana office at (808) 596-8711.