Kālua pork served at the event had been prepared by the boys through an imu they carried out prior, a regular part of the activities done at Ke Kama Pono to reinforce teamwork and Hawaiian culture — and to have a little fun.

The boys performed an oli, gave presentations about their work and experiences at the Safehouse, and talked about their futures. It was an inspiring event and we were grateful for the opportunity to bring together the boys, their families, and the Ke Kama Pono staff and partners.

Mahalo nui loa to all of the staff, judges, officers, teachers, and others who make this incredible program possible!

PIDF’s Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana’s (Nā Pono) Program was awarded $15,000 to maintain the accessibility and delivery of its comprehensive Family Education program housed at Blanche Pope Elementary School in Waimānalo Homestead Land. Nā ʻŌiwi Kāne Funds received will support program activities such as Nā Pono’s high school equivalency portion of its Adult Education (AE) component, as well as other Family Education components including Home Visiting. The AE component focuses on reaching the 639 Homeless or at-risk individuals in Waimānalo, including approximately 40-45 Competency Based students, 92% who are Native Hawaiian and range in age from 16-77. Home visiting brings additional one-on-one support for children and families, many of who are considered “hidden homeless,” families who stay with others because they cannot afford rent/mortgage on their own and would otherwise be homeless.

PIDF’s Ke Kama Pono Safe House (KKP) was awarded $10,000 to maintain its Education Component, which includes Department of Education (DOE) certified teachers who teach the residents and provide necessary curriculum on site. Through this component, KKP residents are able to receive credits and letter grades for completed assignments of good quality while they are going through the program, which are then transferable to public schools affiliated with the DOE to ensure they stay on track and are able to graduate. KKP is a twelve-bed residential facility for adjudicated male youth between the ages of 13-17. With an average length of stay at six to eight months, all residents receive guided care and instruction during this time from adult role models in order to make positive changes in their lives. Native Hawaiians make up 40% of residents who have gone through the program. The total recidivism for the KKP program currently stands at 29%, whereas the national average for this same age group remains at an alarming 75%.

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ABOUT NĀ ʻOIWI KĀNE
Na Oiwi Kane (NOK), is a nonprofit Native Hawaiian Organization as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) incorporated in 2002 to serve the needs of the Native Hawaiian Community. NOK’s mission is to serve at-risk families in the Hawaiian Community who are missing a responsible male role model within their households. It is through the family that children learn to be responsible men and woman in our communities. It is through the family that children learn to respect and care for each other and their communities. NOK provides for program support to like-minded organizations in the Native Hawaiian Community who share our mission and values.

ABOUT HAWAIʻI COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
With over 100 years of community service, the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HFC) is the leading philanthropic institution in the state. HCF is a steward of more than 850 funds, including more than 250 scholarship funds, created by donors who desire to transform lives and improve communities. In 2017, HCF distributed more than $59 million in grants and contracts statewide, including more than $6 million in scholarships. HCF also serves as a resource on community issues and trends in the nonprofit sector.

The current ongoing project at the Safe House is the construction of a Hale Wa’a (Canoe House), which is being built just outside the existing fence. In order to secure it for long-term storage, additional fencing is required. When Ben recently visited the Safe House, he asked what the boys had been working on and if they were behaving well. Upon hearing of our plans to add more chain-link fencing, Ben immediately inquired about getting involved.

It has taken almost a month to get the required paperwork completed, but now that it is done, we are ready to begin the work. To start, we’ve begun digging the necessary holes and setting the posts for the fence. If all goes according to plan, the fence extension project will be completed by the end of this month.

When asked why he wanted to be a part of the fence project, Ben replied, “I love this place…it taught me a lot and this is my opportunity to give back. I want to see some of these boys do good too; maybe they can learn a trade and make their families proud of them.” Ben has acquired a lot of experience and knowledge since leaving the Program. He said the KKP Program taught him how to be respectful, to keep his focus on the work, and to save money for the better things in life.

We look forward to having the KKP residents work alongside Ben, allowing him to step up as a mentor from his former role as a mentee.