Project Hawai’i is working to change the lives of homeless and poverty stricken youth across three Hawaiian islands. The organization bases their programs on Hawaiian values like hope, compassion, integrity, and kindness, and provides educational and social support to children and families experiencing homelessness. Learn more about their work here!
How do you help children in Hawai’i?
Project Hawai’i provides services to over 1,600 individual homeless children annually across the islands of O’ahu, Maui, and the Big Island. The nonprofit strives to change the lives of children by providing a sense of stability through interactive programs, including educational summer camps, mommy and me classes, teen mentoring, holiday events, school support, and educational training. We also provide monthly outreach support to assure that children are supplied with healthy meals, personal hygiene care, and emergency services. Our programs are all rooted in Hawaiian culture, prioritize stability for children, and help build the self esteem of homeless individuals.
Can you tell me about the need for your work?
In Hawai’i, there are over 23,000 children under 18 living in substandard and homeless situations. Most commonly, homelessness in Hawai’i is due to economic hardship, lack of affordable housing, family instability, unemployment, or health issues. Since our inception in 2003, we are proud to say that our programs have helped over 2,000 homeless children escape and break their cycle of poverty as they continue to grow into adulthood and build their families with a strong foundation rooted in Hawaiian culture and traditions. We measure our success by the success of the children we work with, many of whom go on to college and ultimately obtain stable careers. In the past year, we’ve served over 182,000 meals, housed 42 families, and sent over 1,200 kids back to school.
Which Hawaiian values drive your mission?
Our core values are Aloha, Kuleana, Ohana, Imua, Malama, and Lokahi. Aloha means we treat every child with love, compassion, and respect, ensuring they feel valued and supported. Kuleana translates to responsibility, and we embrace our responsibility to empower and uplift homeless children and provide them with the tools they need to succeed. We foster a sense of Ohana, which means family, by creating a supportive community that cares for one another. We are committed to growth and progress, known as Imua. Malama means that we care deeply for the well being of our children, community, and environment. Lokahi, which means unity and harmony, represents the power of bringing people and resources together for the greater good.
How can individuals get involved in your work?
Our partners and volunteers play a crucial role in bringing our mission to life. They enable us to deliver impactful programs and support to the children we serve. We believe in forming relationships that are mutually beneficial, ensuring that our partners, volunteers, and children benefit to the fullest. We always invite corporations and organizations dedicated to making a lasting impact in the lives of homeless children to collaborate with us. We offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities on an ongoing basis, including internships, virtual opportunities, special skills based programs, group projects, and more. All currently available opportunities are available to view on our website.
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