Kohala High School has an average student population of 252 students, with the two largest represented ethnic groups being Native Hawaiian (37%) and Filipino (29%). Through Piha Me Ka Pono, Liza works closely with the school to increase family engagement and reduce absenteeism. 

As a proud alumnus of Kohala High School who moved to Hawaiʻi at 16 years old, she understands the challenges of navigating a new school environment and overcoming language barriers. “A lot of the parents come to school, and they feel intimidated to speak to anyone or interact with each other,” she shares. “Engaging with the parents help them feel comfortable to approach staff members and get involved with their children’s journey through high school.” 

Liza’s approach to increased family engagement is hands-on. She works with the school staff to hand out event flyers on and off campus, and shares information about events with Kohala Mountain News. She is also the creator and moderator of a Kohala High School group on the Team Reach app, sharing announcements and resources to the school community. The community and students have grown accustomed to her friendly and welcoming presence around campus and at school events. 

One of her most impactful initiatives was an attendance incentive program. In the 2024-2025 school year, students who were on track each quarter to be below the chronic absenteeism rate at the end of the year had their name submitted into a drawing to win a PlayStation 5, provided by PIDF and thanks to Liza’s efforts. She also met with families of students with continued absences to problem-solve barriers to attendance. Kohala High School’s daily attendance rate went from 87% to 90%. 

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Kohala High School graduating class of 2025 honored Liza and Piha Me Ka Pono in their graduation ceremony. In a statement from Kohala High School they shared, 

“The Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) has been an invaluable and integral part of Kohala High School and the broader Kohala community. Their efforts have consistently strengthened the relationship between the school and the community, fostering meaningful connections that have made many events and initiatives possible. Their dedication does not go unnoticed and is deeply appreciated by all. 

Through Liza’s efforts, our school has received impactful donations from PID, including iPads for teachers to enhance instructional support and bleachers for our football games. She has also provided vital classroom and art supplies, helping to ensure students have the tools they need to succeed and feel a sense of pride. 

Beyond these contributions, Liza has built strong relationships with families, attending school community council meetings, visiting homes, and coordinating EL family nights, making her a trusted and integral part of our community. She also worked directly with the vice principal to help students in the attendance boot camp reflect on their own attendance barriers and write clear goals for success. Her work has been a driving force in creating an environment where students feel supported, valued, and excited to come to school. 

We are truly grateful for the continued support of Partners in Development and hope they are able to carry on their invaluable work in the years to come.” 

Through trust and genuine care, Liza isn’t just connecting families to Kohala High School, she’s building a stronger community for generations to come. 

Aloha United Way’s Day of Action event brings together people all across our community to kōkua local nonprofits like ours. At sites around O’ahu, community members showed up to lend their time and talents in service to causes that uplift and support those most in need.

We are grateful to build connections and community with every one of our volunteers. Mahalo to all Day of Action volunteers, your aloha reaches far beyond the task at hand, and we’re honored to have worked with you.

“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

“Kids often walk to school from their homes, but 8 out of 10 times, they don’t make it because they stop at a friend’s house, and their parents aren’t aware,” explains Shonna Ontiveros, Piha Me Ka Pono’s Lead Community School Coordinator at Kealakehe Intermediate. While the surrounding school area is within a 1-mile radius, there is no public or school transportation available, and safety concerns about motorists persist. “One volunteer, on her own time, goes out every morning by the elementary school to man the crosswalk.” 

Inspired by a visit to a community school in New Mexico, Ontiveros brought the concept of a walking school bus program back to Kealakehe. Before launching, she collaborated with Hawaii County Safe Routes to School, Hawaii Police Department, and the Hawaii Department of Health to establish safety measures, and extended participation to Kealakehe Elementary School. 

A walking school bus is like a traditional school bus – but on foot! Adult volunteers lead groups of students along safe, predetermined routes to school, making scheduled “stops” to pick up more children along the way. Like a regular bus route, the group follows established paths with marked crosswalks and good visibility to ensure everyone’s safety.

The program launched on December 16th at 7:00am. Volunteers knocked on doors of registered students, gathering children ready for school. Approximately fifty students, primarily from Kealakehe Elementary School, joined volunteers on a safe route to campus. Participants were greeted by a festive inflatable heart mascot and received “walking tokens” redeemable for snacks or small prizes at week’s end.

Partners in Development Foundation continues to support these community-driven efforts through the Piha Me Ka Pono program, which partners with seven schools across Hawaii implementing the 7 Pillars of the Community School Model. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the Walking School Bus, contact the Piha Me Ka Pono team via contact form here.

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.

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!

The 7th annual Ka Paʻalana Health Fair took place at the KROC Center in Kapolei last week. Two dozen vendors came out to support our Ka Paʻalana Homeless Family Education Program families. 

The purpose of the Health Fair is to provide vital information and resources to our Ka Paʻalana families. Besides pamphlets and flyers, participants can receive free eye exams, flu shots, dental exams, and much more. 

One of the most talked-about aspects this year was the focus on nutrition. Different booths allowed keiki and caregivers the opportunity to learn more about the foods on their plates, and how to make better dietary choices. 

Ka Paʻalana parents Rano and Selestina Fetui were attending the Health Fair for the first time. They said just hearing about healthy habits motivated them to be better role models for their two young keiki. “It’s an eye-opener for our kids to eat healthy,” said Selestina. 

Besides information about physical health, there were also professionals present to talk about mental and emotional health. The Catalyst Group offers extensive psychological services ranging from treatment of depression and trauma to martial counseling and psychotherapy. 

Caregivers were invited to explore the booths at their leisure, and stamp cards were passed out to encourage interaction with the vendors. 

“It’s a nice way to bring the families to the resources,” said Kelsey La Cuesta, an Assessment Specialist with Ka Paʻalana. Many of the families struggle to make appointments around their keiki. Not only does the Health Fair provide resources for families, but the Ka Paʻalana staff also organize a preschool in the morning to give the parents a chance to really take in the booths and activities.

Mahalo nui loa to all of our partnering organizations and sponsors who made this year’s Health Fair possible! We can’t wait to have everyone back next year.

The purpose of the Ka Paʻalana preschool program is to prepare keiki for school success. Children receive an intensive, developmentally-appropriate and culturally-relevant education through preschool teachers and assistants.  

Ka Pa’alana focuses its outreach on homeless families or those that are transitioning out of temporary housing – like the Hope Shelter in Kapolei – as well as at Hawaiian Homelands in Wai‘anae and Waimānalo.  

“The graduation is a symbol [for the families] of accomplishment and of a future for their kids,” said Terry Nakamura, Ka Paʻalana’s Program Manager. He explains how Ka Paʻalana tries to plant a seed in the minds of the keiki and caregivers that they can go on and complete high school, and go to college.  

These efforts are not only for the keiki, but also for the adults.  

Nati has been coming to Ka Paʻalana for almost two years, starting at the Kakaʻako site with Family Education Coordinator Cheri Richards and Home Visiting Specialist Denise Mazepa before transitioning to the Hope Shelter on Oʻahu’s Leeward Coast. She calls Ka Paʻalana a “big blessing.”  

“It’s a big opportunity to learn and explore new things… I’ve learned a lot of life lessons, parenting lessons, and just being a teacher to my son.”

She goes on to explain how the graduation means a lot to the parents, about both the achievements of their keiki and their own personal goals as parents.  

Hoʻomaikaʻi to all the graduating keiki and their families! We wish them all the best for their future success in school, and send them our warmest aloha for being a part of the Ka Paʻalana ʻohana.

“We don’t realize that… over 90% of our food that Hawai’i consumes comes off of a ship from some distant land,” says Partners in Development Foundation’s Kupa ‘Aina Project Director, Kū’ike Kamakea-Ohelo. “If we took away 90% of our food, what would we have left?” 

One year ago, the Kupa ‘Aina Demonstration Natural Farming Project was established in partnership with Kamehameha Schools and the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center. Kupa ʻAina is paving the way for a food-secure Hawaiʻi by developing sustainable food production models and providing cultural ‘āina-based experiential learning.

“The original purpose of the Kupa ʻAina project was to produce food,” Kūʻike continues. Food for the land, food for the people. What was once five acres of former cattle grazing land is now five acres of lush, green plants abundant with life.

The five-acre parcel is located near Olomana and has thrived over the last several months. Our Kupa ʻAina staff along with numerous volunteer groups have made this possible through efforts such as:

• Installing a 600-gallon input irrigation system;
• Generating over 500 gallons of Fish Amino Acids (FAA) created to help grow nutrient-rich crops;
• Reseeding 100,000 square feet of land.

Over 75 volunteers from American Savings Bank, our Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool, the Ke Kama Pono Safehouse for Boys, the Grateful Ministries Immersion Group, Greenpeace, and many others have come out to Kupa ʻAina to not only help with the farm, but to learn more about our Hawaiian culture and to reconnect to the ʻāina.

This past year has helped cultivate partnerships among Kupa ʻAina’s various stakeholders. These collaborative efforts create a blueprint to demonstrate that Natural Farming has the ability to produce for the commercial needs for our communities. 

“A major accomplishment was building and creating a partnership with the State, Kamehameha Schools, as well as Partners in Development Foundation,” Kūi’ke explains. “To spearhead this natural food movement… really shows the need to address the food insecurities and food dependence that Hawaii has on the outside world.”

Stacy Ferreira, a Kamehameha Schools Executive Strategy Business Consultant, has been instrumental to the Kupa ‘Aina project. Her responsibilities include helping Kamehameha Schools achieve their vision to change a generation of Native Hawaiians to be a thriving lahui.

“If we can do it on five acres, we can do this on 500 acres, we can do this on five islands,” says Stacy. She states that we should be thinking about what food production can look like, “because our island state is dependent on so much of our food being brought in.”

As Kupa ʻAina continues to grow, our projected goals include partnering with other organizations, increasing volunteer groups at the farm, and outreach to our communities to help them be healthy and sustainable — our primary mission at PIDF. Stacy describes the importance of these efforts well: 

“We need to break that once and for all and we need to live as our kūpuna did, in a very sustainable way and one that we can cultivate here and continue to grow.”

There are thousands of youth in the juvenile justice system across Hawaiʻi. A 2016 survey had 3,717 juveniles arrested on Oʻahu alone. The majority of these offenders are young men, and most offenses involve “status offenses” (crimes committed by minors like underage drinking and smoking), theft, or drug offenses. Most of the juveniles that are arrested are Native Hawaiian.

Native Hawaiians are repeatedly at the negative end of all kinds of state and federal statistics. Rates of poverty, lack of education, homelessness, drug abuse, health problems and more all add up to make Native Hawaiians among the most disadvantaged economic groups in the country.

These long-term rates and trends have severe implications for the well-being of our Native Hawaiian youth. Numerous studies have shown that poverty and other poor socioeconomic factors have a significant effect on children’s educational outcomes, self-esteem, and even mental health.

Besides affecting education, families experiencing income issues often result in the parents or caregivers being absent from the home for extended periods of time. This lack of supervision or family interaction can also have a negative impact on youth.

Mike Kahue is the Program Director of Ke Kama Pomo, a program of Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF). Ke Kama Pono works with adjudicated boys aged 13 to 17. “When we get them, all of them don’t want to be here. They have chips on their shoulders, they come with attitude problems, all they want to do is fight. All they want to do is rebel, to not be here,” says Mike.

Jordan is one young man who went through the Ke Kama Pono program. Derrin “Jordan” Araki is a 21 year-old from Japan. He came to Hawaiʻi with his biological father as a child, but soon found himself in foster care. He got involved with drugs and into trouble at school. After completing what he calls “just another program,” he was given the option of returning to his foster family or going to Ke Kama Pono. He chose the latter.

Jordan wasn’t new to the system. He, like 82% of Hawaiian youth according to a report by the State of Hawaiʻi Office of Youth Services, offended multiple times. This rate of recidivism is shocking on its own, and even more so when compared to the national average of 55%.

It takes a village

The ultimate goal of Ke Kama Pono is to reunite adjudicated young men with their families. It’s a similar goal of other state-sponsored programs and initiatives like foster care, and it puts a spotlight on the numerous factors that can contribute to the boys getting into trouble.

They come to Ke Kama Pono through the court system, usually arrested for crimes like truancy (skipping school), substance abuse, or minor assaults (typically on family members), says Mike. He remembers when Jordan first came to Ke Kama Pono, saying that when someone first comes in, he and the staff always look to see how they do with everyone else in the program’s house.

“They all think that [Ke Kama Pono] is not for them,” says Mike of the boys. “They all think they would do so much better on their own. But the reason they’re here is because that’s where they’ve failed — doing this on their own.” Mike says Jordan always “tried extra hard to be the tough guy” because of his small stature.

But it didn’t take long for Jordan’s attitude to turn around. He became close with the other boys in the program, adapted to the routines, and worked hard at the tasks he was given. He frequently helped Mike with building projects around the site, and enjoyed working with his hands. “This kid is going to be something someday,” Mike remembers thinking.

Jordan says he now knows the value of hard work and appreciates everything ‘Uncle’ Mike taught him. Although it was tough in the beginning, it felt great knowing that he wasn’t alone and that every one of the boys at Ke Kama Pono was struggling. Even if they didn’t get along every day, there was a bond between them and they supported one another.

Poʻokela – fostering excellence

Deni Araki first came to Ke Kama Pono as an intern while finishing her degree in social work at the University of Phoenix. After completing the community service component and earning her degree, she was hired on as an on-call Direct Care Counselor.

She was amazed by the work of the program, and admired how Mike and the rest of the staff worked to instill values, responsibility, and greater self-esteem in the young men. “The values that are shared with the boys not only represent our culture, but help the boys to realize that whatever theyʻre going through, they have a place to call home.”

Since its inception, Ke Kama Pono has been hugely successful at reuniting boys with their families and helping to prepare them for future success. Compared to the state recidivism rate of 82%, Ke Kama Pono boasts a figure of only 26%. Clearly, Mike and his staff are on to something.

While working at Ke Kama Pono, Deni helped the boys with their school work, cooked and acted as a chaperone for other daily activities. She says she wasn’t particularly close with any of the boys, but tried to keep an open mind and support them however she could.

“Deni did marvelous things with the boys,” says Mike. “We could see that her passion with these boys was genuine.”

Deni’s relationship with Jordan started because of a dream she says she had for weeks, of she and her husband walking Jordan out of the Ke Kama Pono house and into their lives,. Despite never having had more than the most basic interactions with Jordan before, and after some weeks of conversations with her husband, Deni approached Mike with her intentions.

She pursued her decision, contacting an attorney and going through all of the adoption processes. It wasn’t easy. Deni says there were multiple counseling sessions where she was reminded of Jordan’s history, issues, his broken home, and his anger. She had every opportunity to back out, but she never did. Deni left Ke Kama Pono to avoid conflicts of interest and, while she was sad to leave, she felt called to show Jordan a life of love.

Jordan was shocked when staff told him someone wanted to adopt him. He was even more surprised that it was Deni — someone he had very few interactions with during his time at Ke Kama Pono. He had so many mixed emotions about the adoption process and both he and Deni knew it would be a long road. But given a choice, Jordan chose Deni.

Not bad, just broken

As soon as Deni got word she would be able to adopt Jordan, she told him, “you’ll never have to feel like you’re not loved ever again. We’re going to love you for the rest of your life.”

Since Jordan joined the rest of the Araki ʻohana, it has been an adjustment and learning experience for everyone — with some positive surprises along the way. All of the Araki kids play the piano, and Deni wasn’t going to let Jordan be the exception.

Before long, it became apparent that Jordan had a natural talent: he could play piano by ear. His natural talent with instruments has led him to be part of the worship team for his family’s church, where he plays piano for the congregation.

To anyone in his situation, Jordan says “don’t give up.”

Currently a Program Specialist with the Department of Education, Deni believes in the power of programs like Ke Kama Pono to help youth in need. She believes the kids that come through aren’t bad — they’re just broken. Jordan agrees.

“A lot of times when kids are acting out, they just need love. I know that because I’m loved right now, and it’s a great feeling… A lot of kids just need love and attention. If they get that, they’ll behave. Just love them, and they’ll be good kids.”

People usually participate in Nā Pono initially for their children’s sake, but soon discover the benefits for themselves. Moses started bringing his daughters to Nā Pono’s child education program before starting the Adult Education classes.

Moses is one of over 200 individuals to obtain their Competency-Based Community School Diploma – or “C-BASE” – through Nā Pono in the last five years. He persevered for his family, taking care of work, home life, and his daughters in order to achieve his goal of receiving his diploma.

There are any number of reasons for the students at Nā Pono to not have gotten their diploma. It is common knowledge that Hawaiian students in particular do not do well in our schools. The students are excited when the second chance is available right in their community, at the very same elementary school they may have attended while children.

The reasons for returning to school are as diverse as the student population. Reasons range from getting a better job, achieving a lifelong goal, being an example for their children, wanting to attend college — the reasons go on and on and are personal to each student.

While working as a janitor at Blanche Pope Elementary School, the principal gave him two options: get his diploma, or find another job. Moses knew that he had to make a change for himself and his family.

“I’m a truck driver now, which is what I always really wanted to do. I worked my way up, I’m happy with where I’m at right now, thanks to [Project Director Lora Perry] and this program. It helped me out a lot.”

This year, Partners in Development Foundation’s Hui Ho‘omalu program had the privilege of witnessing some of these effort come to fruition as Kaua‘i resident Estrella Barnett regained custody of her daughter Alexi after being separated by CWS in August 2016. Looking back, Barnett says there are days it all feels like a dream. While their journey has not been an easy one, it has been fueled by determination, commitment, and love.

After Barnett and Alexi were separated, Barnett went into rehab on the mainland for four months to do the personal work of shifting priorities. When she returned to Kaua‘i she could no longer live with her parents who were fostering Alexi, and so had to find a place of her own. She found a new job, attended daily AA/NA meetings as required by CWS, and had regular visits with Alexi under CWS supervision.

Although at first her family distrusted her and didn’t believe she had changed, Barnett stayed committed to her path of recovery so she could be reunited with her daughter. “Life is not easy,” she says. “It’s hard and I couldn’t have got here without my family and without God.