On February 26, 2024, the Nā Pono No Nā ‘Ohana Program visited WLC to learn about canoe and medicinal plants. Aunty Ilima Ho-Lastimosa, Community Coordinator and native to Waimānalo, shared the uses of ‘olena, niu, ulu, kukui, mamaki, and many other canoe and la’au plants with the families. The keiki used their senses to kilo (observe) the environment.  They gathered ‘olena (turmeric) and kukui, got to feel the prickly outer skin of a soursop, and held millipedes as they dug in the lepo (dirt). Program participant Makoa McCallister’s makuahine (mother) shared, “I liked finding the different color ‘olena with my son.” The families supported outdoor learning by encouraging keiki to be free, explore, and investigate. It was a great day to be outdoors!

Written by: Cheri Richards

For the full Waimānalo Loves Literacy Week Schedule:
Waimānalo Loves Literacy Flyer

For the full Waimānalo Loves Literacy Week Schedule:
Waimānalo Loves Literacy Flyer

For more events during the Waimānalo Loves Literacy week of fun:
Waimānalo Loves Literacy Flyer

In a dedicated effort to deepen their connection to ʻāina and foster a profound understanding of their local environment, students at Mālama Honua recently have been working on their Uka and Wai Projects. This endeavor delves into the intricate web of Hawaiian flora and fauna found in the uka (upland) regions, as well as examines our critical resource of wai (water), emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts.

The projects tasked students with researching an aspect of wai or illustrating and researching a chosen animal or plant that is native to the upland areas of Hawaiʻi. These comprehensive presentations cover various aspects, including conservation of resources, fun facts, habitat, etc. The initiative not only showcases the students’ creativity but also highlights their dedication to learning about and preserving the biodiversity and ecosystems that make Hawaiʻi unique.

Kahea (Mālama Honua 4th grader) highlighted that only 3% of the world’s water is suitable for drinking, calling attention to the critical role water plays in sustaining life. Willa shared traditional wisdom, stating, “Our kupuna would save water in their ʻipu for access to fresh water during droughts.” Reese added, “Drought is likely in lower climates with less rain,” emphasizing the vulnerability of certain regions to water scarcity. 

Aryana, a participating second grade student, shared insights into the Uka project’s significance, “Our Uka Project is about different plants and animals that live in uka. It is important because many of our plants and animals in Hawaiʻi are endangered.” This sentiment echoes the broader awareness among the students about the fragile state of the local ecosystem. Kauʻi, emphasized the urgency of the conservation message, “It is our kuleana to mālama the birds that are endangered. We have invasive animals and plants that are ruining our ecosystem.” This acknowledgment underscores the students’ commitment to preserving the delicate balance of Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems.

These projects not only serve as a platform for students to showcase their research skills but also facilitates a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between the environment and the community. The Mālama Honua students are not merely learning about plants and animals; they are cultivating pilina with ʻāina, acknowledging their responsibility as stewards of the land. This project encourages students to see the interconnectedness of land, sea, and sky. Through their dedication to understanding the ʻāina and its inhabitants, they are actively engaging in the preservation and mālama of Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems. It is evident that Mālama Honua students are not just acquiring knowledge; these students are taking meaningful steps towards a more sustainable and harmonious future for our islands.

Written by Cassidy Cox

The holidays are a time of holidays, of reconnecting to family and loved ones, and charity. This last year, we were so blessed to receive numerous contributions from partner organizations and individuals across the state.

Aloha United Way and PetSmart Donate 100 Plush Toys

Aloha United Way, the Hawaiʻi office of national nonprofit United Way, partnered with PetSmart to collect 100 plush toys for our Ka Paʻalana Homeless Family Education Program. The toys were distributed to the keiki at the December holiday parties.

Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana Throws Thanksgiving

Near the end of November, Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana held its annual Thanksgiving luncheon. They provided meals to the dozens of Waimānalo families who came to the site at Blanche Pope Elementary School. The Nā Pono team even brought in a shaved ice truck!

“It’s really a very important time for us because we thank the families for being part of our program,” says Nā Pono’s Project Director, Lora Perry. “It’s heartfelt, and they are heartfelt… we couldn’t have this program without them. We are blessed, and that’s what Thanksgiving is all about.”

Leeward Community College’s Toy Drive

In the first week of December, Leeward Community College’s library facilitated a toy drive for Ka Paʻalana families. They collected new, unwrapped toys for keiki under 5 years old.

Tūtū and Me – Kauaʻi Raises Over $1,300

Our Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool Kauaʻi-East team completed their yearly fundraiser on Friday, December 7. The coffee, bake, and rummage sale raised over $1,300.

“We are truly blessed for all the help and donations from our school families and friends,” said Site Manager Michelle Curammeng.

American Savings Bank: Mahalo Mail & Kahiau Giving Campaign

On December 12, we received some ‘Mahalo Mail’ from American Savings Bank (ASB) – Hawaiʻi. We are fortunate enough to be part of their Kahiau Giving Campaign, an annual teammate program that supports select community organizations.

The mail consisted of letters, cards and notes, handwritten by ASB employees expressing their ‘mahalo’ for our work serving Hawaiian families across the state.

Kamehameha Schools Provides Critical Items

Sheryl Kahue, a teacher at Kamehameha Schools (KS), facilitated a large donation of toys, books, backpacks, and hygiene items. KS students participated in the drive by helping to collect items that are necessary to our program families, but not as frequently donated.

Zumbathons Collect Toys for Keiki

Two ‘Zumbathons’ were put on by Nisi and Friends and Pomai and Friends. The Zumbathons collected toys for Ka Paʻalana keiki, which were given out at the various holiday parties put on by our program staff throughout December.

For several years, Pomai Akiona (a former Parent Educator with Ka Paʻalana) hosts a Zumba class where she does not charge attendees cash for participating. Instead, she asks attendees to bring a toy to donate to the families of Ka Paʻalana. This year, over $1,500 worth of toys was collected for the keiki!

Cricket Donates Needed Supplies to Ka Paʻalana

Joy, Patrick and Natasha from Cricket Wireless brought much-needed donations of household items to Ka Paʻalana on December 13. The items included boxes of diapers, packs of wipes, and infant teething rings.

The kind donation will go to the unsheltered families with infants that the Ka Paʻalana outreach team encounters living on the Leeward Coast of Oʻahu.

NASW Delivers Doughnuts to We Are Oceania

The National Association of Social Workers – Hawaiʻi (NASW – Hawaiʻi) is currently running a campaign called ‘tell NASW why you need donuts’. The campaign is meant to reward the hard work of registered NASW members, and We Are Oceania was the first winner!

Project Director Jocelyn Howard and the rest of the We Are Oceania staff worked tirelessly for weeks to ensure their constituents were able to sign up for health insurance during the open enrollment period. Everyone welcomed the respite of doughnuts!

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Donates Toys, Books

Every year, Robert Nelson and Kathy Goo with Wyndham Vacations and his team help organize donations for Ka Paʻalana families. This year they collected over $1,700 worth of toys and books!

Hula Grill Waikiki Gives Gifts to Over 50 Keiki

On December 19, Hula Grill Waikīkī’s General Manager, Drew Crocker, and Community Relations Coordinator Kaitlyn Taketa paid our office a visit. They had coordinated with our Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool and home visiting programs, and our Ka Hana Noʻeau mentorship program, to organize gifts for over 50 children and youth across the islands.

We were blown away by these generous presents, as so many of our families are just scraping by and do not have the resources to make the holidays special for their keiki. Drew and Kaitlyn said they are excited to organize this drive again next year, and collect gifts for even more keiki.

Program Keiki See Snow and Santa Claus

Several of our Tūtū and Me and Ka Paʻalana program sites across the state held holiday parties, from Christmas to the traditional makahiki.

The holiday parties included thematic activities and games created by our staff, from homemade holiday playdough and real snow to visits from Santa Claus. The keiki also received wrapped gifts from our staff, partners and from the many donations received over the holidays.

To see more photos of our programs’ holiday activities, click here.

Mahalo nui loa to all of these amazing organizations, foundations, partners and individuals, and of course all our wonderful staff, for making the a season of giving for our families in need!

Each organization conducted various breakout sessions that demonstrated their individual manaʻo (thoughts) and ʻike (knowledge) regarding various topics like cultural practices, advocacy, language and literacy, and STEAM. Although these organizations compete on many levels for funding, resources, and space, together they have a stronger unifying purpose: to serve Hawaiʻi’s keiki and families and prepare them for success.

In between the small roundtable sessions, PIDF’s own Danny Goya and Alex Santiago gave keynote addresses. Danny discussed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how ACEs affect brain development, health and wellness for the communities we serve, and how family engagement and culture are the keys to addressing this issue. Alex reviewed advocacy skills covered in the last consortium conference, and explained how legislative efforts are so vital in advocating for our keiki. He gave examples on how to engage caregivers and how to encourage them to become lifelong advocates.

A special mahalo to W.K. Kellogg Foundation for their support in making this conference possible!

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The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) was founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer. Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive. WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work, and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success.

Speakers greeted families and praised families’ commitment to their keiki’s education and encouraged policymakers to support our family-strengthening programs. Senator Jill Tokuda said, “We need to do more for our youngest of keiki to make sure that we had resources, to make sure that our babies could start right when they started Kindergarten and put more towards early learning.” Representative Andria Tupola and Representative Lauren Matsumoto also came and spoke words of encouragement and support that meant so much to families. They all spent some time interacting with keiki in the different centers laid out on the mats.

Alex Santiago, coordinator for No Vote No Grumble and the Pono Policy Academy, commented, “We have a lot of people here who want to educate our legislators, our policymakers, about the importance of early childhood education. We want to just make sure that our policymakers know that there are a lot of people out there that really care about their support for these programs.”

PIDF President, Jan Dill, asked, “Pehea nā keiki? Pehea nā kūpuna? How are the children? How are the elders?” These questions is a gauge to measure the health of the community. Thankfully, we know that when families become part of our Native Hawaiian FCIL programs, they are being supported, mentored, and surrounded by rich learning opportunities that embrace Hawaiian cultural values. FCIL programs support our ‘ohana in two key ways: 1. They provide preschool experience for keiki who may not be able to attend traditional preschool and 2. They support parents, grandparents, and other caregivers as keiki’s first and most important teacher. Keiki gain educational and social skills needed for successful transition into Kindergarten, while caregivers learn teaching techniques and advocacy skills that help them to support their keiki. Research has shown that family involvement in keiki’s early learning is linked to improved verbal, motor, and adaptive skills as well as academic success in school, and that when parents are involved in the early years, they are more likely to continue to support their keiki’s learning in the years ahead. To contact policymakers to encourage their support of our FCIL programs, click on the links below to locate your district representatives and their contact information.

•(Senate) List of Senators and Districts

•(House) List of Representatives and Districts

Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana Outreach Coordinator, Laʻanui Johnston, found much ʻike she could bring back to her teammates to implement with families. One session in particular was the Early Childhood Education Activities around Ahupuaʻa, presented by the Hilo Keiki Steps Staff. The workshop effectively shows sustainability by using supplies gathered from the land and sea. “In this modern time, we can use what we have available in our environment -bringing the past into our present- and using what we learn to sustain our families and communities toward the future,” says La‘anui.

Ka Paʻalana Program Manager, Jin Chang, felt that the conference was worth the hardwork put into coordinating, planning, and last minute changes. “The conference was more than a day organized into one-hour sessions; it was a picture of the work that we are doing together so that our children, our families, and our communities will have a chance to thrive,” says Jin.

A special mahalo to W.K. Kellogg Foundation for their support!

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer. Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive. WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work, and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success.

On May 27th, 2015, 25 keiki (children) graduated from Nā Pono’s Junior Kindergarten program and will start kindergarten in the fall. As family and friends gathered for Circle Time in the main classroom to watch their keiki graduate, our staff did their usual routine of setting up and getting everyone situated to experience this wonderful and thrilling event.

This exciting event was a great experience for the community but these preschoolers were exhilarated themselves. Upon graduating from their pre-kinder class, these keiki were able to experience what success feels like at an early age. It’s milestone events such as this that motivate these children to succeed in the future and encourage them to continue to thrive as they grow.

Family members and friends came out to show their love and support. This program was designed to point parents, caregivers, and their children in the right direction as they learn and grow together. The Nā Pono Junior Kindergarten is structured as an FCIL (Family Child Interactive Learning) programs, which encourages a unique learning style environment, which includes both child and caregiver. We believe that children learn best from their most intimate caregiver.

Pa‘ihi – Clear, bright, cloudless; neat, tidy, well dressed in one’s best; to honor

Childhood obesity is a growing problem across the state of Hawai‘i. It is also a preceding indicator to the development of a multitude of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. According to the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality, high levels of Native Hawaiian obesity has contributed to Hawai’i being ranked 15th for overall prevalence of children who are considered either overweight or obese.

Given these indicators, our Nā Pono No Nā ‘Ohana family literacy program operating from within the campus of Blanche Pope Elementary School in Waimānalo on the island of O’ahu, has added a physical education component to their curriculum, based on Hawaiian language and culture that explores the traditional daily activities of our kūpuna (elders/ancestors) and provides practical application of physical health to every day life. The program focuses on hō‘ikaika kino (to strengthen the body) and ho‘omālamalama (to enlighten the mind).

The children’s physical activities mimic what they would experience while going through an ‘ahupua’a (land division) from the ocean to the mountains. Included are going from a prone position to standing on a surfboard, then, picking ‘opihi (limpet/mollusks) on the rocks, and running away from an oncoming wave. As they make their way inland, they jump from rock to rock as if crossing a stream, and across a fallen log. They finish up their trip inland by running a rope across open ground, then returning with a weighted bag tagged with “log”.

Also included is a 100 yard sprint, and teamwork exercises through the building of a “stone” wall.

The PAIHI curriculum helps students to develop a firm understanding of how to strengthen their physical health and enrich their minds to function at the highest performance levels.

“Mālama pono i kou ola kino” ~ Take good care of your health…

Partners In Development Foundation President Jan E. Hanohano Dill, presented them with a certificate of appreciation and recognition, as well as gift baskets containing baked goods made by administrative personnel.

Being true to their exceptional aloha, the ladies of Nā Pono, together with the only male of the group, treated their admin guests to a most scrumptious repast of homemade goodies of their own.

Congratulations to Lora Perry and her staff for helping to make this year’s Aloha United Way campaign a success!!!