COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS
On the front lines of building resilience in Kaua‘i’s youth
We support our partners in a variety of ways, from direct grants to technical assistance to joint initiatives. We select our partners based on their impact in our community—they are doing whatever it takes to push the needle on youth success and well-being. We are grateful for their service to our island and seek to accelerate and amplify their impact through our partnership.
Kapa‘a Middle School
Kapa‘a Middle School serves the vibrant communities between Wailua and Ha‘ena. Their hāumana are Kaua‘i’s future leaders and deserve all the support and opportunities available for their success. We are happy to partner with Principal Tara Punzal and her committed staff to help KMS shine brightly as a beacon of hope for Kaua‘i’s Eastside and North Shore.
Kumano I Ke Ala
Kaina Makua and his staff at KIKA are blazing trails for all youth to follow, cultivating the skills the next generation need to live pono on the land, with one another, while honoring the host culture. Every youth on Kaua‘i needs this ‘ike, and we hope to support their food soveriegnty projects to impact youth and communities island-wide.
Ho‘ākeolapono Trades Academy
Under the dynamic leadership of Lawai‘a Naihe, the Ho‘ākeolapono Trades Academy is a lighthouse for Kaua‘i’s youth, enabling them to succeed in various trades that are in high demand on our island. This Academy opens doors for our youth to earn a liveable wage, while giving them financial literacy training and mental health support as well.
Child & Family Service
We were thrilled to support Child & Family Service at Kapa‘a Middle School for an empowering afterschool youth program. CFS is a nonprofit that has served the pae ‘āina since 1899, helping families break cycles of trauma and supporting healthy child development. CFS currently runs after school programs at various middle schools on-island, providing academic and career opportunities for our haumāna.
ALPSS Program
Under the leadership of Jason Yoshida, the Department of Education runs Alternative Learning Programs Supports and Services at many Kaua‘i middle and high schools. Mr. Yoshida plans to include workforce development by inculcating carpentry and agricultural skills in ALPSS students. We are partnering with them to expand these workforce development programs, as we see their potential to advance student success.
Keala Foundation
Keala Foundation is “all in” to interrupt addiction cycles and give the next generation of young people hope, confidence and a sense of personal purpose. In their free youth programs—including crossfit kids, mud runs, and youth camps—they help build up our youth to be strong, healthy and successful.
Marshallese Association of Kaua‘i
We partner with the Marshallese Association of Kaua‘i to support Micronesian youth on-island, and uplift Micronesian youth leadership. This year we traveled with MAK to the Hawai‘i State Capitol, supporting two Marshallese high school students to make a presentation before members of the Hawai‘i State Legislature and learn about the democratic process.
Mama Tiff Cares Foundation
This year the Mama Tiff Cares Foundation launched their Eastside Carnival to replace the beloved St. Catherine’s Carnival, and to support the families and communities of Kaua‘i’s East Side. We partnered with them to highlight our island’s Micronesian cultures in order to build understanding and connections amongst youth on-island. Mama Tiff also heads Kapa‘a Middle School’s PTSA.
Kapa‘a High School
Kapa‘a High leads the way on-island in developing unique college and career development pathways for their students. Currently we partner with Ms. Kara Kitamura, head of the Health Academy pathway, in collaborating with Youth Leaders to host special Resilience Events for all the island’s youth. We are also exploring partnering with Academy Director Dr. Kahele Keawe to support novel career development programs for Kapa‘a High students.
Waimea High School
The Kaua‘i Resilience Project is currently working with two Waimea High School interns who are launching social media campaigns for their peers on multiple mental health issues. Waimea High Health Academy has participated in KPAA and Keiki to Career’s annual Ola Pono Mental Health Conference since 2022.
Hawaiian Community Assets
HCA has invested 25 years in strengthening Hawai‘i’s communities by addressing a crucial social determinants of health for the next generation – financial empowerment and housing options. We are happy to partner with them on our upcoming Resilience Fairs.
Kaua‘i Resilience Project Partners Network Co-Chairs
Mason Chock
Mason Chock, President of Kupu Ae Leadership Development, President of Kaua‘i Team Challenge, and former Kaua‘i County Council Member, is Co-Chair of our Partners Network. We appreciate his service to our organization and the community at large!
Erin Cobb Adams
Erin Cobb-Adams, Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau Regional Projects Manager for Kamehameha Schools, is Co-Chair of our Partners Network. KS partners with Kaua‘i Resilience Project/KPAA in a number of ways, including helping us capture cutting-edge data on the state of our youth. We appreciate their contribution and kōkua!
MAHALO NUI
To all our partners and supporters – past and present.
This is just a highlight of some of our current collaborations, and we look forward to showcasing more amazing work being done by all our partners across the island soon. We also want to recognize to our funding partners for their amazing foresight and commitment in supporting Kaua‘i’s youth through the Kaua‘i Resilience Project. Your investment has far-reaching impact and we are so grateful for your partnership.