Lauri Sagle, English Professor at UH Hilo, invited Ishigo to speak to her class, which had chosen Tūtū and Me as the lens through which students would explore literacy in young children and community advocacy. The class had also organized a book drive for the program, collecting more than 50 books to donate to our keiki. A tangible act of care that set the tone for everything that followed.

“I was so impressed that you chose Tūtū and Me as a focus for studying literacy in young children and community advocacy. It was wonderful to meet a former Tūtū and Me participant in your class. What a great reminder of our program’s vision!”
– Amanda Ishigo, Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool Program Director

Among the students in the class was a former Tūtū and Me participant, a testament to the program’s reach throughout the years in East Hawaiʻi. Seeing a young adult who once sat in the traveling preschool now studying its impact at the university level was, for Ishigo, a great reminder of the program’s vision.

Taking the initiative entirely on their own, students handwrote more than 50 postcards addressed to Hawaiʻi’s Mayor in support of funding for Tūtū and Me. Through this experience, the students practiced their right to civic engagement, using their voices to express their concerns to our elected officials. Advocacy from our youth carries a weight that cannot be manufactured.

The generosity didn’t end there. The class donated more than 50 books for the keiki served by Tūtū and Me. Our families are currently building an “At-Home” library for summertime reading, and these books will be matched with keikiwho will treasure them.

This visit is a beautiful example of what happens when education and community care meet in the same room. Mahalo nui to Professor Lauri Sagle and her students for their passion, their postcards, their books, and their belief that our keiki deserve every opportunity to thrive.

To learn more about Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool and ways to support our mission, visit pidf.org/tutuandme.

Our guests joined keiki and ʻohana and observed a Family-Child Interaction Learning (FCIL) program in action. They watched our teaching team integrate early literacy, math, art, and science with Hawaiian values through playful, hands-on experiences that keep parents and caregivers deeply engaged in their keiki’s learning.

“We had a wonderful visit from the delegation yesterday. The hui visited our Panaʻewa site and then returned to our Home Visiting office for further discussion,” shared Amanda Ishigo, Project Director of Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool. “It was an honor to share our work and be inspired by the progressive ways they are supporting families in their own community.

Visits like this deepen understanding of Hawaiʻi’s families and the importance of community-based early learning opportunities. By observing how keiki and caregivers learn together, the Pueblo of Jemez Delegation gained valuable insight into how programs like Tūtū and Me help build a strong foundation for school success, while honoring culture and ʻohana.

Mahalo nui loa to our guests of the Pueblo of Jemez Delegation for spending time with our keiki, ʻohana, and staff on Hawaiʻi Island. We are grateful for partners (and now friends) who share our commitment to inspiring and equipping families through culturally grounded, relationship-based learning.

To learn more about Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool and ways to support our mission, visit pidf.org/tutuandme.

“Poi represents the values and mission of our work, symbolizing ʻohana (family), kūpuna (ancestors), and ʻāina (land),” shares Amanda Ishigo, Tūtū and Me Project Director. “These connections form the broader purpose of our curriculum and learning environment. While we want keiki to progress in areas such as language, math and science, we are also very conscious of integrating concepts that emphasize cultural preservation and caring for Hawaiʻi.” 

The multi-island coordination required months of planning with several local farms like Hua ‘Āina Kalo (Molokaʻi), Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi (Oʻahu), Aloha Poi (Maui), Aloha ʻĀina Poi Company (Kauaʻi), and Hawaiʻi Fresh Specialties (Hawaiʻi) to source poi local to the participating families. This partnership approach ensured that families received poi made from kalo grown on their home islands, representing a significant investment in both cultural education and local agriculture. When the poi distribution day came around, families and keiki were smiling from ear to ear with excitement.  

Kawehi Carpio, Tūtū and Me Site Manager of Waimea and Honokaʻa sites, was there for the distribution of poi to their participating families. “What an amazing opportunity and privilege it was to be a part of feeding the hearts, minds, and bodies of our keiki and their families,” Carpio shares, “The poi distribution was a great success, with heartfelt gratitude evident on the faces of keiki and caregivers alike.” 

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool integrates Hawaiian Culture Based Education into their curriculum in over 24 locations throughout Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi, and Hawaiʻi. Through a Family-Child Interaction Learning (FCIL) model, their approach ensures that keiki, from birth to five years old, build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning and success. Providing poi, a staple in Hawaiian culture, was just one of the ways that Tūtū and Me provides families with experiences for extended learning at home. 

“Aunty Malia used to always say, ‘It doesn’t matter if you are Hawaiian or not. If you live in Hawaiʻi, you have the kuleana (responsibility) to be educated about Hawaiʻi and to take care of it’” Ishigo noted. The poi distribution aligns with the mission of Partners in Development Foundation, to inspire and equip families and communities with success and service using timeless Native Hawaiian values and traditions, which has served over 170,000 people across more than 75 communities since 1997. 

This story can also be found on KITV Island News – written by Kayli Pascal-Martinez

Reading Rocks, a division of Lakeside Industries based in Issaquah, Washington, initiated this transformative project with a generous $10,000 book donation in May 2024. The impact doubled through PaperPie’s Literacy for a Lifetime matching grant program, which added 50% more books to the initial donation.

The distribution began on August 12th in Lahaina, where families received their first sets of books. The program will continue to reach families across Central Maui, Upcountry, and Kihei. Each participating child receives more than 15 books to start their home library, creating a foundation for lifelong learning.

This initiative holds special significance for families affected by the 2023 Lahaina Wildfires, offering a bright spot of hope and opportunity through education. “The smiles on the faces of our keiki as they received their books were priceless,” says Mele Hooper, Site Manager of Maui’s Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool sites. “This generous donation will have a lasting impact on our community, cultivating a love for reading and learning among our young ones.”

This collaboration between Reading Rocks and PaperPie exemplifies the power of community partnerships in supporting multi-generational education. Through their combined efforts, these organizations are helping Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool fulfill its mission of nurturing early childhood education in Maui’s communities.

To learn more about PaperPie or the Literacy for a Lifetime matching grant program, you can contact Hawai’i Island-based PaperPie Director, Kim Pickard, at kimpickard.paperpie@gmail.com or c6882.paperpielearning.com.

For more information about Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool programs or to learn how you can support our mission, please contact us.

Paris Nicoll

Drivers stop on the side of the road in Kohala where a hand-painted bed sheet reads, “Free Hot Cocoa.” At the back of the vehicle, the trunk opens to a pop-up tent and a station where an ʻohana of six— four keiki, mom, and dad— serve freshly brewed hot cocoa. Every year, the Nicoll ʻohana sets aside money they would use for Christmas gifts, and instead, shares their earnings in exchange for a moment of warmth and aloha with anyone who stops by. For the Nicolls, this family tradition asks nothing in return; a simple smile and laugh with their Kohala neighbors is more than they need to keep the tradition alive.

“I want to teach my children that Christmas should be about giving, not just receiving,” said Paris Nicoll, full-time caregiver of four keiki.

The hot cocoa holiday tradition is only one of many efforts Paris orchestrates to share her family’s blessings.

After a morning of Christmas festivities, the Nicoll family carries their merry spirit and share their blessings to the kupuna at their local elderly housing complex, where visitors and family are not always around to celebrate the holidays. The Nicolls hand out handmade goodie bags— and not just during the holidays. Once or twice a year they will also drop off food baskets.

“Over the years it’s been honestly even more than us blessing them. It’s been a blessing to us seeing their smiles and their joy,” said Paris.

What’s more is that the Nicoll family inspires a network of connection and support for their community. Paris hosts potluck style gatherings, like the favorited paint party, with mothers in the community. Paris opens up her home to ʻohana she meets through her Tūtū and Me site and others who may be new in the neighborhood and encourages a place to come to feel and give support in a fun way.

“Paris and her ohana are the epitome of our PIDF values,” said Lani Bowman, Tūtū and Me Home Visitor. “For the Nicolls, Aloha is not a word, it is a lifestyle of showing aloha everyday to each other, to friends and strangers and EVERYONE! Mom and Dad teach their keiki the true meaning of Mālama by holding themselves accountable to not only teach keiki but actively involve keiki in the amazing services they provide to others. They are the torch of passing love on! Po’okela, striving for excellence not perfection in life is what they also model.”

To top it all off, Paris looks after the safety of her community. After witnessing one too many close calls between pedestrians and oncoming traffic at a local crosswalk, Paris tried to get local and State agencies to install flags to warn drivers that pedestrians may be crossing ahead, with no prioritization on the case. She didn’t hesitate to take action. Paris purchased and installed the flags with her ʻohana so that anyone who drives past the crosswalk knows to be cautious.

While the Nicoll parents can spearhead the projects and share their values with their keiki, their keiki, too, inspire them. They have often found their kids stripping their rooms clean and filling up bags with their toys to donate to the local church. Paris laughs and shares that some of the toys are new, and some have to be saved!

Though Paris is happy to see that however big or small, the actions the ʻohana takes can make a meaningful impact.

Reynelle Tabano

When it comes to dressing up ever-growing keiki, the art of thrift shopping becomes so much more than just finding sweet deals. For the avid thrifter and full-time caregiver, Reynelle Tabano spearheaded community clothing exchanges to stretch a household’s budget while maintaining style and steez for many households in Hawaiʻi Island’s Kohala community. 

“I have a hard time spending money on expensive stuff because I’m like, ʻI could get that for a fraction of the price,ʻ” said Reynelle. “I have to stretch the budget… buying used and thrifting saves us a lot of money.” 

After learning about clothing exchanges during a visit back home in Maui, Reynelle returned to Kohala with a passion to start one up. Bowman encouraged and supported her to launch the community clothing exchanges to support other households in Kohala. 

Reynelle and her keiki participate in Tūtū and Me’s Home Visiting program, designed to strengthen the caregiver-keiki pilina (relationship) at home. Through her programming, Reynelle connected with fellow Kohala caregivers and Lani Bowman, a Tūtū and Me Home Visitor. 

“Reynelle and her small band of family members and friends would enthusiastically set up tables, provide music and refreshments for shoppers, said Bowman. “It was more than a clothing exchange, it was an exchange of caring and love! I am just blown away with her caring and commitment to families, the community and the environment!” 

The community clothing exchanges were held every quarter at the Kohala Library. For some growing keiki, three months is all the time they need to start growing into a new wardrobe. Kohala ʻohana members brought in gently used clothes to exchange. At any given exchange, approximately 40 to 50 kids and adults would show up and shop. 

Families were encouraged to bring any extra clean and gently used clothing which was then categorized into girls, boys, womens, etc. After everything was set up, everyone could just shop for free. Even if a family was unable to attend, Tabano set aside clothes in the sizes they needed and delivered them to the families. She made sure that anyone who needed a refreshed wardrobe could get one. 

Tabano’s drive to start this exchange not only addressed a need in the community but also built a community itself. During the exchanges, “everyone’s socializing and the kids are playing… so it’s nice, it’s like a party.” 

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the clothing exchanges have paused in order to maintain social distancing protocols. She was disheartened when community members mentioned how much they missed the clothing exchange. 

However, Reynelle kept going. She helps a local thrift shop sort through their clothes and when she crosses paths with other caregivers she would be sure to ask, “do you want clothes?”

• Open for all caregivers whose keiki are enrolled in our Tūtū and Me traveling preschool
• Caregivers located in Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Waimea and Honokaʻa of Hawaiʻi Island
• Deadline to register is Friday, January 15, 2021. Classes will begin Friday, February 5, 2021.
• Register online at bit.ly/TTMSpring21

When you register for Tūtū and Me Parent Hui, you will be part of:
(8) 75-minute virtual meet ups with 15 minutes after for open “talk story” time.
Meet ups are every other week on Friday mornings or Wednesday mornings/ afternoons.

Each meet up will give you the opportunity to:

• Reset and take a moment to focus on you.
• Learn practical tips that make parenting a little easier.
• Talk stories and connect with other adults raising little ones.

Our Goals for You
At the end of the 8 meet ups, you will have:

• Ha’eheo (pride) over the responsibility of being a caregiver.
• Greater understanding on the importance of caregiver wellness.
• Broader scope on how keiki’s brain, emotional and social interactions develop from 0-5 years of age.
• Effective caregiver practices that feel pono (right) for your ‘ohana.
• Deeper connection and understanding of your keiki.
• Pilialoha (friendship) with other caregivers just like you.

The families started at the check in lobby where everyone received boarding passes. They then made their way through TSA, jumped on the Wikiwiki bus and got a tour of Terminal 2.

The families met with some of United’s flight attendants and got to see some of the catering equipment and how they put food on the airplanes.

Keiki then learned about the different equipment and vehicles the United employees drive everyday, and posed with some of them. The field trip finished off with a tour of a working airplane. The keiki had so much fun exploring.

We send a heartfelt mahalo to United Airlines for hosting our Tūtū and Me ʻohana and we hope to see them again soon.

ʻEleu is a consortium of Hawaiian nonprofit organizations geared and dedicated to the inclusion and promotion of early childhood education. For over 15 years, we have worked to advocate for legislative and community initiatives to impact early learning for the keiki of Hawaiʻi nei.

This year’s ʻEleu Rally included readings from several legislators such as Representative Val Okimoto and Senator Michelle Kidani. Others in the capitol also came down or opened their offices to interact with the families and children, and learn more about the urgent need for improved and universal early childhood education.

“We must challenge ourselves and our leaders to take seriously the need for public and personal attention to – as well as investment in the formation and care of our children,” said PIDF president Jan Dill.

Mahalo to all the staff for their hard work in putting on the rally, the families for their dedication to their keiki and our programs, and to all those who came out today in support!

Paul ensures that Tūtū and Me is fiscally responsible and manages the budgets of all 13 teams across Hawaiʻi. Although he does not have any background in early childhood education, he understands the importance of the work done by every staff member.

“He cares so much and is always willing to go over and above to make things better for our staff, administration, and the children and caregivers that we serve,” says Vice President of Operations Alison Masutani.

“When I see the front line staff do what they do, day in and day out, that’s what motivates me to do whatever I can to help provide them with the necessary resources to deliver Tūtū and Me to those we serve,” says Paul.

Known as Tūtū and Me’s “money man,” Paul came to PIDF after working for many years with a small, family-owned commercial real estate business. Yonette Nakamura, Tūtū and Me Hawaiʻi North’s Site Manager, has known Paul since he started and explains how profound, empathetic, and witty he is.

Yonette describes an incident in 2013 when a Tūtū and Me staff member’s mother was rushed to the hospital on a neighbor island. “Paul was not only comforting to that team member, he was instrumental in getting her on the next flight and driving her to the airport.”

“When things are crazy, I appreciate his humor and when things are stressful, I appreciate the time he takes to talk with me and think things through,” says Alison. “He is such a joy and I feel so blessed to have him as a colleague and to be able to call him my friend.”

Mahalo nui loa to Paul for all of his diligent work to ensure our Tūtū and Me program continues to be able to serve our families and communities! We are grateful for his humor and spirit here at PIDF.

Na Makamae is our monthly segment where we recognize employees who are doing tremendous work with the children and families they serve. ‘Na Makamae’ refers to those who are prized, highly valued, highly appreciated. Na Makamae are those who are endeared to us.

They have been coming to our Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool for 15 years. Vaughn and Rosemary Tokashiki, retired educators, have brought all five of their grandchildren. Their oldest, Skylin, was in one of our first Tūtū and Me classes back in 2003 and is now a student at Arizona State University.

Watch the video below to hear how Tūtū and Me helped Skylin to develop some of the skills she needed to succeed, and about her goal to become a neonatal nurse.