Hōkūpaʻa Updates
Resources, community news, and bright spots.
Cup-of-Cheer 2025-2026
Cup-of-Cheer has grown a lot over the past five years, but the mission is the same as when we started: uplift and promote positive connections on school campuses by showing appreciation for all school personnel…With 2025’s fall semester pau, we have visited 16 out of the 19 public schools in the Honokaʻa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area, and we will visit our 17th in May. This is already another record-breaking year for participation, reaching over 1,000 school personnel!
Stories from the Field: 11th Annual West Hawaiʻi Science & Engineering Fair at Pālamanui
We had so much fun spending a Saturday at the Hawaiʻi Community College - Pālamanui campus amongst enthusiastic students, teachers, and volunteers for the 11th Annual West Hawaiʻi Science & Engineering Fair.
Stories from the Field: 2nd Annual Puakalehua Celebrate ‘Ohana Festival
Early learning provides a strong foundation for children to be successful lifelong learners, and it can often be a lot of fun, too! It’s especially beneficial for the whole ‘ohana when everyone gets involved. Playing and enjoying positive time together is great for bonding and learning. So we’re so glad that the second annual Puakalehua Early Learning Consortium’s Celebrate Ohana Fest was able to welcome ~1,500 people!
Bright Spot: Transformative Translations
Recognizing that young people from multilingual households are often underappreciated community assets, a West Hawaiʻi teacher gathered support to launch an innovative career pathway and community service project.
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!
GUEST BLOG: Kaukau 4 Keiki Project by Laʻakea Judd, UH-Hilo Ka Pouhana Peer Mentor
Amidst the busy summer bustle, dedicated students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Ka Pouhana Program spent six weeks leading a community project for Hilo families.
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.
Bright Spot: Holualoa Elementary School Murals
This spring, Holualoa Elementary School has been getting a powerful makeover. It’s all thanks to a collaboration between the school and its parent-teacher organization, the grassroots art nonprofit Lydia8, and the community-based organization Aloha MAP.
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: 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.
Community Bright Spot # 4: Tamaroa Atkinson-Adona and Lili'uokalani Trust Youth Leadership Council
We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Big Island Now and Vibrant Hawai‘i to publish Teacher Feature and Bright Spot articles.
The project highlights innovative educators and honors those serving young people, schools, families, and community. We hope that others will be inspired to take on similar projects or contribute to existing work.
VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY: JANUARY CAREER FAIRS
You may be thinking that people still in school wouldn’t be interested in a “job fair”. But it can be very helpful to see who’s hiring and learn what fields are in-demand.
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.
CAS SNELLING ON "TALK STORY WITH DR. K"
Check out this brief chat with our amazing Complex Area Superintendent Janette Snelling hosted by the state superintendent Christina Kishimoto.
Weekly Coffee and Office Hours with Hōkūpaʻa
EVER WANTED TO HAVE COFFEE WITH SOMEONE FROM HŌKŪPA’A? YOU’RE IN LUCK!
Join the Hokupa’a Program Coordinator at the dining room table/home office for informal drop-in coffee hours
BRIGHT SPOT #2: KEALAKEHE HIGH'S KOKUA CLOSET
While you can’t walk in for now, the Kōkua Closet is open for giving and taking. It was launched earlier this year to provide clothing, school supplies, food, toiletries, and more for Kealakehe High School students and families – no questions asked.
Community Bright Spot #1: Partners in Development Foundation, Kohala
A basic need important to Hawaii’s culture is feeding one another. In March, April, and May, Partners in Development Foundation helped to distribute a portion of ~9,000 “Keiki Care Packs” of snacks, masks, and activities for students in all grade levels with the intention to feed and uplift.