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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Aloha <<First Name>>, This month, we join communities across Hawaiʻi and the nation in honoring survivors, remembering those we have lost, and renewing our commitment to safe and healthy ʻohana. Domestic violence impacts families across Maui County, often in silence, and our collective response is essential.
Hoʻoikaika Partnership recognizes the critical role health and human service professionals play in prevention, early intervention, and healing. Together, we can strengthen protective factors, foster supportive relationships, and help break the cycle of violence. We encourage you to use this month to share DVAM information with clients, post resources where families can see them, and uplift messages of safety and respect. Please join us in solidarity on Friday October 10th for the Men’s March Against Domestic Violence Ceremony and Program at the County Building in Wailuku (200 South High Street) beginning at 11 am. Bring colleagues, wear purple, and help amplify the message that we stand with survivors and for violence-free homes. RSVP below.
Mahalo for the work you do every day to protect and support keiki and ʻohana.
Deb Marois, Hoʻoikaika Partnership Coordinator |
Hoʻoikaika Partnership News |
"Talking is Teaching" Awareness Campaign Launched on Maui County Buses
Hoʻoikaika Partnership and Kākou for Keiki collaborated with the Maui County Commission on Children & Youth and Department of Transportation to place “Talking is Teaching” posters on all County buses to help parents and caregivers boost children’s early brain and language development. The posters are a way to learn about resources that help parents and caregivers talk, read and sing with children every day. These simple, everyday actions can help prepare keiki for success in school and beyond. Learn more about the campaign. Read more in Maui Now |
Hoʻoikaika 12th Annual Conference Recap |
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Gathering in person for the first time since before the pandemic, more than 200 health and human service providers, first responders, and early childhood educators attended Hoʻoikaika Partnership’s 12th Annual Conference, held at the King Kamehameha Golf Club. This year’s theme reflected the belief that healing and progress are collective journeys, and that unity of purpose fuels our ability to rise again and again. The day opened with oli (traditional chant) from HP Leadership Hui member and emcee Luana Kawaʻa. Keynote speakers Dr. Manu Aluli Meyer and Loea Pūlama Collier introduced principles of Hawaiian thinking, including ʻIke Pāpākolu three ways to interpret ideas and words. Dr. Meyer reminded us that, “It’s time to simplify around a purpose, and Hoʻoikaika is indeed a purpose we all share... Pilina, the quality of our knowing each other, and the practices that it entails, is the healing focus of our times.”
Two inspiring panels carried the theme into lived experience. The morning session uplifted kāne (male) voices, as three program participants shared stories of resilience through challenges such as substance use, incarceration, and family separation. With support from programs like MFSS's Kāne Connections and PACT’s Maui Family Peace Center, they reflected on how strength and recovery are possible even in the face of great adversity.
The afternoon panel featured providers and first responders who spoke candidly about balancing professional and personal roles during crises. Panelists offered self-care strategies/ways to mālama themselves and approaches to preventing burnout, processing grief, and sustaining compassion in their work.
Attendees also honored Paul Tonnessen, executive director of Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui and longtime Leadership Hui member, for his many years of service to children and families. A short video highlighted his contributions. |
Mahalo to Dr. Meyer, Austin Michael of Studio Asalt, and HP partners for photos! |
Partner & Ally News
Imua Family Services is hosting a FREE Halloween Festival Family Event @ Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s A&B Amphitheater on Thursday, October 30 from 4 - 7 pm. Trick or Treating, critter petting, live music with Marty Dread and more. Learn more. Interested in being a vendor? Contact "Marni Rozet" <mrozet@discoverimua.com>
Maui Family Support Services, Inc recently celebrated 50 years of home visiting services on on Lānaʻi! Congratulations! MFSS is one of five agencies selected by Target Circle™ for their charitable giving campaign from October 1-December 1. If you shop at Target, cast your votes for MFSS at this link: Target Voting – MFSS Kākou for Keiki (K4K) received Year 4 grant funding from Zero To Three. Maui County is one of three sites nationwide selected for the Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems grants.
Roots Reborn is hosting Know Your Rights workshops to help prepare families, workplaces and the community for immigration actions, protect your business and staff, and understand the legal rights of both employers and workers. Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute announced the Give Back, Get Back Education Loan Repayment Program, an opportunity aimed at reducing the student debt burden for Hawai‘i’s professionals serving in critical public health roles. Launched in partnership with the Department of Health, he program will offer up to $25,000 in student loan forgiveness for eligible individuals. To qualify, applicants must have one year of full-time work experience in the public health sector within Hawai'i and have student loan debt. Contact studentloan@hiphi.org or call (808) 591-6508 x28 for questions. Learn More/Apply Deadline: Oct 15. Position Openings
Imua Family Services is hiring multiple positions including Social Worker, Care Coordinator, Occupational Therapist, Preschool Teacher and more. Learn more. |
Healing the Healers
Join Michele & Heidi for the last 3 sessions of the year! Share the flier below with those who might benefit. Click here to Register |
Helping Families Build Healthy Digital Habits Together: Nearly three-quarters of parents are concerned about their children’s screen time. The creators of Sesame Street launched new digital well-being resources to support families with young children as they navigate a digital world. From screen-time transitions to mindful media use, they offer simple, kid-friendly, research-tested strategies that help families build healthy digital habits. Check out new videos, storybooks, and more here! |
Webinar Recording: Protecting Young Children from the Impacts of Wildfires: The Center on the Developing Child hosted a live discussion on how wildfire smoke affects young children, based on emerging findings from the LA Fire HEALTH Study. The study is relevant for many communities that are dealing with wildfire smoke. The panelists shared how insights from these projects can guide efforts to reduce exposure, support children and caregivers, and protect healthy development. Watch on YouTube |
Parent Power Hour Hosted by HCAN Oct 15 Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network is hosting Parent Power Hour around the state to hear from parents about their community strengths and concerns. Wednesday Oct 15th, 5 - 7pm at Round Table Pizza in Maui Mall, Kahului. RSVP Here |
Nonviolent Communication Mediation Training October 18 & 19th |
Protective Factors: Public Policy, Legislation & Advocacy Webinar When: Wednesday, October 15, at 9:00 AM HT
What: A conversation about how the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework (PFF) is connected to public policy and legislation at the federal, state, and local levels. Jim McKay, Public Policy Director of the Children's Trust Fund Alliance, will walk us through where the PFF shows up in current legislation and policy initiatives, and share easy, practical ways you can advocate for its continued use in child welfare, prevention, and family support systems.
Who: Whether you’re new to advocacy or simply want a clearer picture of how Protective Factors fit into the policy landscape, this session will give you the basics, real-world examples, and space to ask your questions.
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The Intersections of Animal Abuse, Interpersonal Violence, and Child Abuse
When: Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 8:00–9:30 am HT
What: Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center free webinar hosted by Maggie Harris and Marlene Richter. Participants will learn about the unique challenges faced by victims who have pets; the correlation between animal abuse, interpersonal violence, and child abuse; and the importance of providing safe havens for both humans and their pets.
Who: This training is ideal for professionals working in domestic violence shelters, animal welfare organizations, child advocacy centers, social services, and law enforcement.
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is a coalition of organizations, individuals, county and state agencies committed to preventing child abuse and neglect in Maui County. Our symbol is the hukilau (net), which reminds us that our strength is in working together to ensure that our safety net has no puka’s (holes).Partner with Us Please contact Hoʻoikaika Partnership to share items for this newsletter. |
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