Community Serving Community

August 19, 2020

Local nonprofit partners who are based at the Kukui Center in Honolulu joined together to host a drive thru service fair on August 14th for 100 families. The fair included fresh produce, food, school supplies, books, hygiene products, diapers, and information on available other community resources.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, many families in Hawaii are experiencing lower incomes, food insecurity, housing instability, and homelessness. The agencies of the Kukui Center came together ahead of the start of the school year to ensure families are able to access basic necessities as well as ongoing support from the nonprofit partners.

“This pandemic has presented many challenges not only for our clients, but for our community as a whole,” says Family Promise of Hawai’i Executive Director Sam Church. “The drive thru provided a contact-less way to engage with families in need of support.”

The nonprofit partners included Family Promise of Hawaii, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, Hawaii Literacy, Hale Kipa, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center, Leadership in Disabilities and Achievement of Hawaii (LDAH), Aloha Diaper Bank, and We Are Oceania.

“Unfortunately, we’re seeing unprecedented need as a result of the pandemic.” says Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii Executive Director Sunny Chen. “It’s great to come together as a community to support one another.”

From your ʻOhana to ours

August 30th at 6pm

From Your ‘Ohana to Ours: A Virtual Fundraiser for Family Promise of Hawaiʻi takes place on Sunday, August 30th as a way to raise money to ensure families have access to food, shelter, and emergency care. The virtual event will be a livestream program from 6-7pm, including a message from Family Promise with music and entertainment from the Bus Boyz.

Those tuning in can choose to purchase a family-style meal, which feeds 8-10 people, prepared by Tucker & Bevvy for $150 and have it delivered for an additional $20. Donate towards the Lucky Draw and Golden Tickets for a variety of prizes! Those who donate do not have to be present during the livestream to win. Prizes include:

A 4 night, ocean-front suite at the Four Seasons Resort Maui and 60,000 Hawaiian miles. Valued at over $25,000!
2-Night Ocean View Room and breakfast at Mauna Lani - Auberge Resorts Collective valued at $2,000.
3-Night Junior Diamond Head Suite stay at Queen Kapiolani Hotel valued at $1,200.
2-Night Ocean View Room at the Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort valued at $1,400.
4 one-way Southwest Airlines E-Passes which can be combined for round-trip travel valued at $800.
& lots more!

Help us raise $50,000. We are already halfway to our goal! Mahalo to our sponsors HMSA, Hawaiian Electric, the Fertility Institute of Hawaii, and Beachside Lighting.

Visit https://bit.ly/fphawaii2020 to participate!

Conversations About Racial Injustice

Last month we introduced the first episode of our series on racial injustice. We sat down with Alphonso Braggs, President of the local NAACP Chapter, and examined inequities in the Black community. We are thrilled to present the second episode of the series where we had the honor of speaking with Shayna Lonoaea-Alexander, Smart Justice Field Organizer of the American Civil Liberties Union, to discuss the history of racial injustice in Hawaii and the present-day inequalities that have resulted.

As previously mentioned, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Black Americans are more likely to experience homelessness than the remaining population. In fact, according to the 2020 Point In Time Count (an annual count that documents the number of people experiencing homelessness on a given night) over half of those counted were of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander descent. This fact is a direct result of historical injustices that have led to present day hardships.

In addition to spreading information on the ways racial injustice presents in society, we aim to inspire meaningful dialogue that creates action with this series. In each episode we discuss the ways that trust can be built in hopes of restoring compassion and inspiring action that ultimately leads to justice. We hope that through these discussions, we can start to imagine new ways to restructure our world so that all that live in it can do so humanely.

Please enjoy a preview from Episode Two: Conversations About Racial Injustice In The Native Hawaiian Community. The full video can be viewed on our youtube channel. As you watch the video, consider what immediate action you could take to fight racial injustice in your community.

Meet the Team

An Interview with Lama, Manager of Operations

The FPH team (staff, volunteers, and board members) is diverse. We value this diversity as one of the strongest factors in our collective success. Drawing upon our range of cultural backgrounds, skills, educational levels, beliefs, and experiences fosters empathy, creativity, and community. In our upcoming newsletters we will be featuring a variety of team members at FPH so you can get to know them a little better.

This month, we get to know Lama.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Aloha, I am of Samoan and Hawaiian descent born in Fagaalu, American Samoa. I moved to Hawaii at age 5 and was raised in Kalihi Valley.

What brought you to Family Promise?

I was familiar with FPH through various connections and was interested in joining the team because of our aligned values.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I don't have a hidden talent. It is pretty well known that I love to dance! Especially, Siva and Hula. When music is playing its hard to not move with the melody.

What’s something you’re proud of?

Being adaptable. I started with Family Promise at the peak of COVID-19 and there was work to be done (to say the least). So, I jumped right in but, I couldn't have transitioned into my role without great leadership & support. Mahalo to Sam & the FPH team for the support! I am proud to be a part of this team!!!

What’s something you find challenging about your work at Family Promise?

"Don't take every challenge as a problem, take every problem as a challenge."

When you are not working, what's your favorite way to relax?

I typically like going to the beach. Lately, I've been enjoying movie nights with my family...we are on our 3rd night of Hamilton!