Aloha <<First Name>>,
The work of strengthening ʻohana is never done alone. Each month I am reminded of the wisdom, compassion, and dedication that live within the Hoʻoikaika Partnership. As we prepare for Child Abuse Prevention Month and look ahead to gatherings like the ʻOhana Fest and the return of Healing the Healers, this season invites us to reconnect with our shared purpose.
Together, we continue to grow stronger by supporting one another and the families we serve. Mahalo for all that you do in service of Maui’s keiki and ʻohana. Below are a few updates and opportunities to connect in the weeks ahead.
With gratitude,
Deb Marois, Hoʻoikaika Partnership Coordinator |
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Hoʻoikaika Partnership Monthly Meeting
Session Goals Share partner news to strengthen our connections and deepen our collective purpose Learn how to use the First 5 Hawaiʻi website and eligibility screening tool to assist families Prepare for the relaunch of Healing the Healers
The tool represents a collaborative effort across government agencies and community to better serve families by making resources more accessible, and is a small yet significant step toward linking benefits program data in ways that reduce the burden on individuals and families seeking support. Learn more from the Hawaiʻi Data Collaborative
Save the dates: April 8 and May 13 via Zoom. Our Zoom registration process now allows you to register for multiple meetings at once. Reserve meetings on your calendar for the rest of 2026! |
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February HP Meeting & Committee Highlights
Welcome/ E Komo Mai new partners and allies! Christy Mendoza, Executive Director, Village of Hope and Kimela Keahiolalo, Cultural Program Manager, Wisdom Circles Oceania. Welcome back Heather Greenwood, Cooperative Extension (UH Manoa, CTAHR), following her sabbatical! 6th Annual ʻOhana Fest, a free, family-centered event for the keiki and ʻohana served by HP partner agencies and allies, will be held Saturday April 11 at UHMC from 9 am - 12 pm. Agency Registration and Vendor Registration (craft and small business) must be received by Tuesday March 31, 2026. More info and flier below. Help spread the word for the chance to win prizes for your agency!
CAP Month Brainstorm: Partners shared ideas for Child Abuse Prevention Month activities as well as ideas for future hui meetings. Check out the Padlet here. King Zelee, Program Manager at Aloha United Way and Jeeuyn Lee, CEO, Maui United Way, joined the Seamless Safety Net committee in January to provide an overview of AUW 211 and explore ideas for collaboration to make it an even more effective tool for Maui County providers and families. Maui County data can be downloaded at the 211counts Hawaii website. |
Partner & Ally News
Larae Balag, Director of Early Childhood Education at Maui Family Support Services appeared in the second segment of the KHON2 series entitled, "For Our Keiki," sponsored by HCAN and the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL). "The Importance of Talking with Your Keiki" aired KHII and KHON2 (February 11 and 12th at 7 pm) and on Wake Up Today (Feb 12 at 7 & 8 am)! This series aligns with the launch of the First 5 Hawaii media campaign, a one-stop resource for families to explore eligibility for state and federal programs. Learn More
Imua Family Services will host the annual Color Festival at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Saturday April 5 from 12 - 6 pm. FREE Admission. Learn More
YouthLine Hawaiʻi is recruiting youth age 15 to 24 to operate a peer-to-peer help and crisis line. Training and work study stipend available. Questions? Contact ylvolunteers@linesforlife.org or text YLVol to 8551.
Dianne Bowen-Coleman sends mahalo to all who participated in the Human Trafficking Awareness month Lunch & Learn series. There were 18 speakers joined by 770 attendees from across all islands and the continent.
Hawaiʻi Children's Trust Fund Advisory Committee announced the addition of two new members: Heidi Ann-Allencastre from Maui County & Billi-Jo Pike from Hawaiʻi Island. Congratulations!
Maui United Way invites you to celebrate Aloha Friday at The Parlay on March 13 from 4-6 pm. Mix and mingle with fellow nonprofit partners and providers. No RSVP needed for this casual, no-host pau hana.
The Partnership for Wellness & Resilience encourages Hawaiʻi residents ages 18 and older to take t he Hawaiʻi Quality of Life Survey. The survey seeks to understand residents’ everyday experiences and ensure decisions reflect the needs and strengths of our communities. The survey will take 10-20 minutes and is anonymous. Your responses will help guide policymaking, program development, research and resource allocation across the state. Visit www.health-study.com/2026-survey for materials you can use to share the survey with your networks, including flyers about the survey available in English, Tagalog, Korean, Japanese and Spanish.
The Hulihia Center for Sustainable Systems at UH Maui College i s accepting applications for the 2026 Hulihia Maui Strong Fellowship Program. This initiative is designed to engage Maui residents in addressing critical challenges for Maui’s long-term care and post-fire recovery. Funded by the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, the program provides fellowship opportunities with a $10,000 per year stipend for participants to contribute meaningful, impactful work. Fellows are encouraged to design projects that align with their personal interests, career goals, and areas of expertise while advancing Hulihia’s mission in Lahaina’s recovery. Apply Here: 2026 Hulihia Maui Strong Fellowship Application Deadline: March 20.
Molokaʻi Keiki Fest will be held Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC). We're planning a day of fun, learning, and ʻohana for our keiki. This year will include new activities like a Box Car Parade, Adult Contests, and a Photo Booth. Vendors who can bring exciting activities for the kids, make them smile, and help them learn new things are welcome! Ready to join the fun? Sign up ASAP using this new link: https://forms.gle/opjErT8MyUwkyMbV9 |
Position Openings
Department of Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division (CAMHD): Two Care Coordinator (HSP-IV) positions are open for recruitment.
Epic ‘Ohana continues to recruit Peer Partners for Maui. Links for part-time and full-time. Imua Family Services: Continuous recruitment for the following positions: Speech-Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Special Education Teacher, Early Childhood/Preschool Teacher, Preschool Aides, Mental Health Therapist, Social Worker, Clinical Psychologist, Family Counselor, Interpreters (Spanish, Illocano, Tagalog, Marshallese). Learn More
Maui Family Support Services: Seeking Director of Early Childhood Education, Program Manager for DOH-funded Hoʻowaiwai Kaiāulu Home Visiting program, and Program Supervisor for Maui County Early Childhood Subsidies. |
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Healing the Healers Returns!
Ho ʻoikaika Partnership is proud to announce the relaunch of Hoʻoikaika Cares: Healing the Healers, a restorative, culturally grounded program designed to strengthen and sustain Maui’s frontline service providers who work tirelessly with our at ‑risk children and families. This renewed effort is made possible through a powerful collaboration with Wisdom Circles Oceania, an organization known for its Indigenous ‑led healing practices and community ‑centered facilitation, and funding from the County of Maui. Healing the Healers will return this spring at Kaʻehu Reserve, a deeply spiritual place where ancestral presence, land stewardship, and community healing converge. This program offers our frontline service providers a space to restore themselves in a setting that nurtures both body and spirit. The program offers a safe, nurturing environment where service providers can reconnect with ʻāina, replenish their own well ‑being, and build supportive relationships with peers who understand the emotional weight of this work. Through guided reflection, cultural grounding, and shared wisdom, participants will have the opportunity to restore balance, strengthen resilience, and return to their roles with renewed clarity and purpose. Our frontline workers carry the stories, struggles, and hopes of our most vulnerable families. Healing the Healers ensures that those who give so much of themselves have a space to breathe, reflect, and be cared for in return. The partnership with Wisdom Circles Oceania brings a unique blend of Indigenous knowledge, trauma‑informed practice, and community‑based healing that aligns deeply with Maui’s cultural values and the mission of Hoʻoikaika Partnership. Together, the organizations aim to create a sustainable model of care that honors both the providers and the communities they serve. Healing the Healers is offered at no cost to participants, with priority given to those serving families impacted by trauma, crisis, and ongoing recovery efforts across Maui County.
Save the Dates: 4th Fridays March - June from 9am - 1pm. Stay tuned for more info! |
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Coping With Persistent Grief and Loss
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Hoʻoikaika Partnership Leadership Hui members with Dr. David Schonfeld and his wife Joanne. Mahalo to Casey Family Programs for hosting dinner and an opportunity to talk story! |
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Nā Keiki O Emalia Seeks Volunteer Facilitators
Nā Keiki O Emalia offers peer-to-peer grief support groups for children and teens ages 3–18 who are grieving the death of someone significant in their lives. Groups are led by trained facilitators and are held in both school and community settings. Most groups run for 6–8 weeks, with 1–1.5 hour sessions.
While these groups are not therapy, they provide a safe, supportive space for youth to explore grief in healthy ways through grief-informed art, play and movement. Through activities and gentle conversation, participants often feel less alone as they build connections with peers who have experienced similar losses. It is truly meaningful work to be part of.
Interested? Fill out the survey and save the date for a 3-Day Facilitator training with The Dougy Center on March 20-22. For questions, please reach out to Program Manager Birgitte Golden at bgolden@discoverimua.com or (808)244-7467 ext. 404. |
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The National Council of Nonprofits and Legal Defense Fund invite organizations nationwide to sign onto a national letter opposing proposed changes to the System for Award Management (SAM) for federal grantees. If adopted, these changes would require nonprofits and other federal grant recipients to sign new certifications in order to apply for or receive federal funding. These certifications reflect President Trump’s executive order and U.S. Department of Justice guidance related to “illegal” diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, undocumented immigration, and terrorism. The proposal could create significant legal and financial risks to nonprofit grantees, ultimately harming the people and communities that rely on nonprofit services. Deadline to submit comments is March 30. Learn more about the proposed changes. Read the full letter Many organizations are experiencing uncertainty about the country’s future amid attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion and are struggling with what to say, how to say it, and when to speak. In times like these, we must raise our voices, even when we feel hesitant. A new decision-making tool from Berkeley Media Studies Group and Narrative Initiative can help you create your communication strategy, map power dynamics, identify research that can support your work, and more.
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Community Resources & Events |
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ʻOhana Fest 2026: E Ulu Ē - Growing Stronger Together
This year's theme draws inspiration from the ulu tree, a traditional symbol of nourishment, strong roots, growth, and intergenerational care. Once abundant in Lāhainā and now returning to the landscape, ulu reflects both cultural continuity and community resilience. Like the ulu tree, our ʻohana becomes stronger when nurtured with care. Together, we cultivate resilience, connection, and a future full of abundance for our keiki.
Activity Ideas & Participation: Partners are encouraged to offer culturally-relevant, interactive activities that are fun for the whole family and help build protective factors. Examples include art, storytelling, games, movement, and early literacy activities that foster connection to ʻāina, culture, and ʻohana.
ʻOhana Fest also helps increase awareness of community resources and supports that keep families strong, connected, and resilient. Attendance is expected to be 300 to 400 people. Giveaways are welcome but not required.
Event Details
📅 Saturday, April 11, 2026
⏰ Set up Begins: 7:00 AM. Event 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 University of Hawaiʻi Maui College – Great Lawn
Promotion: This year, we are hosting a friendly competition to see which agencies recruit the most families. Families will be able to note which agency referred them during on-site registration. Prizes will be awarded, and Hoʻoikaika Partnership will provide fliers and social media posts to support outreach. Print Friendly OF Flier Full Color OF Flier
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Free Monthly Books for Keiki
The Early Childhood Resource & Literacy Program is working toward enrolling 3,000 Maui keiki in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. If you serve families with children ages 0–5, please consider sharing this flyer or enrollment link in your communications. Every child enrolled receives a free book each month, supporting strong early literacy development across our community. https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/HIMAUICO/ For more information, contact Luana HueSing-Ammasi, Early Childhood Resource & Literacy Program Supervisor, Luana@mfss.org |
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Training & Professional Development |
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Understanding How You Show Up - A Journey Series to Become Trauma-Informed Facilitated by Hale Kipa in partnership with Piha Wellness and Healing, this multi-day experience is designed to support organizations in building trauma-informed cultures, systems, and practices from the inside out. This series is intentionally designed for organizational leadership and administrative staff, as meaningful transformation requires those who guide policies, procedures, and workplace culture to be actively engaged in the process.
Training Dates & Times
March 23 & 24, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Light morning snacks and lunch on your own) March 25, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Breakfast provided) Location: Courtyard by Marriott Maui Kahului Airport – Haleakalā Ballroom
This 3-day immersive experience invites providers and community leaders into a reflective, restorative space to deepen their understanding and lived practice of trauma-informed care. Together, we will explore how trauma shapes the nervous system, beliefs, behaviors, and relationships—while honoring the resilience and strengths individuals and communities carry.
Participants will examine the layered impact of trauma across individuals, families, organizations, and systems, with a focus on shifting from “What’s wrong?” to “What happened?” and “What’s strong?” Throughout the experience, we will emphasize self-awareness, regulation, and sustainable self-care practices that support helpers in preventing burnout and secondary trauma.
Through guided reflection, practical tools, and collaborative learning, participants will cultivate mindset shifts and actionable strategies for creating environments that prioritize safety, trust, empowerment, and healing—for those they serve and for themselves.
The Journey Series also includes three additional virtual Community of Practice sessions held at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months following the training. These 2-hour sessions provide space to reflect, integrate learning, and strengthen implementation alongside peers. Dates and times will be announced after the training, and all attendees will receive confirmation and access links.
This Journey Series is pending approval for NASW CE credits. A fee will be requested from participants who wish to receive CE credits. Once approved, I will reach out to those who choose CE's in the registration form.
Very Limited Seats Available. Please ensure that participants are able to commit to attending all three in-person training days and the three virtual Community of Practice sessions. |
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