Since 2011, Our Hoʻāla Program stands as a beacon of support for ‘Ohana with young keiki, ages 0-5. Hoʻāla’s mission is to simplify the lives of families by connecting them with quality childcare and essential financial assistance and is funded by Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu. Through outreach spanning Nānākuli to Keawaʻula & ‘Ewa/Kapolei on Oʻahu, the island of Kauai, and Hilo, Hawaiʻi, the program ensures that every ‘ohana can cherish precious moments with their keiki and prepare them for a lifelong journey of education.
With the continued support of Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) and The Freeman Foundation, Hoʻāla has established the Hoʻāla Subsidy which was recently funded for a second consecutive year. This allows the program to offer crucial support to ‘ohana facing financial challenges in preschool registration fees or the first month’s tuition. In it’s first year of the subsidy, Hoʻāla awarded over $75,000 that provided financial support for early learning to 43 keiki and their ʻohana.
Initially serving only the Waiʻanae Coast, the program expanded to the island of Kauaʻi in 2018 and to the Kapolei/Ewa region on Oʻahu in 2020. Hoʻāla continues to expand and provide their much needed services to new communities, with the most recent expansion to Hilo, Hawaiʻi.
At the core of Hoʻāla’s success lies its robust network of partners and collaborators. These alliances bridge gaps and foster cooperative relationships, uplifting the entire community. Hoʻāla collaborates closely with early learning programs, subsidy programs, and ‘ohana, ensuring smooth transitions for keiki from home to school.
Looking ahead, the Hoʻāla team is enthusiastic about the upcoming year. Their goals include extending support to more families, ensuring that every ‘ohana receives the assistance they need. The program aims to qualify more families for subsidies, making quality childcare accessible to all. As part of their vision for the future, Hoʻāla seeks to create and establish more partnerships, accessing additional funds for ‘ohana scholarships and furthering their mission of empowering families.
