PHOCUSED (Protecting Hawai’i’s Ohana Children Under-Served Elderly and Disabled) believes that if the health and human service sector stands as one and speak in one voice, then we can more effectively advocate for the people who need services. That is why organizations become members and why, together we are PHOCUSED.

Participants came with the understanding that our Legislature exists to serve all the people, so it was a wonderful learning process for many of the adults.

However, not to be denied, learning centers for our keiki were setup, and a good time was had by all!!!

Stay tuned as we are preparing for a second capitol rally on March 14th at 9:00am, in support of Early Education and particularly, Family-Child Interactive Learning (FCIL).

Join us if you can!

Organized by PHOCUSED (Protecting Hawai’i’s ‘Ohana, Children, Under Served, Elderly & Disabled), the rally under the guidance of CEO Alex Santiago sought to bring attention to the “severe and long lasting problems” that will occur with the planned “deep cuts to our community’s health, social services, housing, and violence prevention programs.”

The largest PIDF contingent came from the homeless shelters and “house-less beach sites” on the west-side of O’ahu. Families and staff of Ka Pa’alana’s traveling pre-school programs were determined to demonstrate their support. So they packed up their families and their traveling pre-school, loaded it all on buses, and made the long trek to the Hawai’i State Capitol.

Once there, the traveling pre-school was setup in the rotunda, thus demonstrating to legislators through application, the important role that these human service organizations play in our community.

PIDF President, Jan E. Hanohano Dill is a member of the Board of PHOCUSED, and was pleased that Foundation staff members from a number of other programs took time off to support the rally. He expressed his Mahalo to all for caring enough to want to make a difference.