Hōkūpaʻa Updates
Resources, community news, and bright spots.
Cup-of-Cheer Returns!
After a couple of years on hiatus, we are once again working with our original partners to bring back Cup-of-Cheer. The HIDOE complex area, Delta Kappa Gamma Rho Chapter, and Hōkūpaʻa are reunited with the intention to visit all 19 public schools in the Honokaʻa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area. And we could use some help!
Return of the Hui for Youth Opportunities
After taking a hiatus for several months, hui collaborators reconvened in May of 2023. The hui members are passionate about address youth’s needs and aspirations so that they can be successful, well-connected, and just have fun.
Kealakehe Intermediate Students’ Community Service Ideas
This past March, Kealakehe Intermediate School hosted a career fair to introduce students to local career pathways. As part of our booth highlighting nonprofit management as a career pathway, we asked students to imagine that they could do anything to benefit their community.
Stories from the Field: Kealakehe Intermediate School’s career fair
It is so important to expose kids to potential career pathways early. Especially with the multitude of new career and technical education pathways students have to choose from, it’s especially beneficial for them to learn their options before high school.
Bright Spot: Kohala High School Mental Health Awareness
We believe students are at their best when they feel connected to their schools. When those who work with young people build connections, they’re also building up students’ social-emotional and mental wellbeing.
In the spirit of reconnecting and student wellbeing, Kohala High School counselor Erin Henderson applied for a Hōkūpaʻa mini grant this semester to purchase supplies for a mental health awareness campaign.
BRIGHT SPOT: NO KE OLA PONO O NĀ KEIKI FIELD DAYS
What better way to uplift everyone than by coming together to host fun elementary school field days? Led by the West Hawaii Department of Education district office, these GEER Grant-funded* “No Ke Ola Pono O Nā Keiki” — roughly translated as “For the Health of Our Children” field day events include activities, sports equipment, and refreshments for students, teachers, and school staff.
BRIGHT SPOT: HAWAIʻI COUNTY FENTANYL TASK FORCE
Behavioral health and substance abuse have emerged as issues of acute concern in our West Hawaiʻi community. Last month, a coalition of Hawaiʻi Island organizations, government entities, healthcare providers, and community members held a virtual opioid summit called “Don’t Die HI.” The event was a response to a dangerous rise in fentanyl throughout the United States and the state of Hawaiʻi— particularly West Hawaiʻi.
BRIGHT SPOT: "WINTER WONDERLAND" AT KE KULA 'O 'EHUNUIKAIMALINO
What to do when Winter Break is approaching and everyone could use a boost?
Kumu Alapaʻi Kaulia, the Parent Community Networking Coordinator at Ke Kula ʻO ʻEhunuikaimalino, applied for a Hōkūpaʻa mini grant for a drive-through “Winter Wonderland.”
STORIES FROM THE (VIRTUAL) FIELD: THE ONGOING HAWAI'I ISLAND YOUTH SUMMIT
The 2021 Hawaiʻi Island Youth Summit kicked off last month with students from the Kealakehe area. Despite many challenges in planning this year — including a rapid pivot to a virtual event in the fall — Hōkūpaʻa and our planning partners kept this important work with youth and community a priority.
STORIES FROM THE FIELD: CINCO DE MAYO CUP-OF-CHEER AT HONOKA'A
As the unprecedented 2020-2021 School Year comes to a close, we wanted to share some photos from a fun school event with Honoka‘a High & Intermediate School and Honoka‘a Elementary School. While we weren’t there for the whole event, we were able to kick things off with a spin on our usual morning coffee “Cup-of-Cheer.”
STORIES FROM THE FIELD: PARTNERING TO HOST VIRTUAL CAREER FAIRS FOR WEST HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Last fall, nobody knew how long distance learning would be the norm. We decided not to wait around, and talked to our partners. West Hawaii Complex Area’s awesome district office was willing to rapidly produce a pilot virtual event together.
Community Bright Spot #3: "Cup-o-Cheer" Teacher Appreciation
Distance learning hasn’t just been a challenge for students and families. When teachers told us that they were feeling overwhelmed and in need of support, we worked together to show them that the community appreciates their hard work.
Does It Fit?
There’s always the temptation to achieve too much, do too much, eat too much. Wait, that last one was for another conversation. Putting too much on our plates, no pun intended, can mean that the work isn’t carried out efficiently nor is it properly resourced.
The Hōkūpa`a SEL team wanted to be sure that this isn’t the case at our project school, Konawaena Middle School.