Core Program Areas
Children and Families
Early Childhood Education
2025 Program Highlights
- The 3rd Annual Kauaʻi Parent & Child Fair brought together over 40 agencies and organizations providing early childhood educational programs, activities, and resources for families with keiki ages 0-8. Over 200 families participated, representing nearly 1,000 community members. We printed a resource directory with our exhibitor’s information and the services they provide.
- The 3rd Annual Early Childhood Education Conference on Kauaʻi had over 100 Early Educators attending. Participants received DHS professional development credits, information, and resources from a variety of organizations. The conference was held in partnership with Kamehameha Schools, Kauaʻi Community College, PATCH, HiAEYC, Island School Nā Pua Keiki, ʻAe Kamaliʻi Preschool, The Kauaʻi Montessori Project, and The Koloa Early School.
- Our Little Libraries Initiative was started in partnership with Sheila Bradley Books. There are currently 3 ‘little libraries’ located at Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, Little Babes Club at Kukui Grove, and KaluKalu 1624 in Kapaʻa. Thousands of books have been distributed via this project.
- E Ola Nā Keiki launched educational workshops with our community partners. There have been 5 workshops hosted through our ECE Campaign with participation from over 180 parents and keiki. Topics include: Kindergarten Readiness, Lactation, Maternal Mental Health, Infant CPR, and Resource Sharing. There will be several more workshops through the end of the year.
- Earlier this year, KPAA started convening a Parent Council in partnership with the Kauaʻi Department of Health and Hilopaʻa. Eight parents continue to meet monthly to discuss issues that parents face on our island. Parents offer insightful feedback to KPAA and our partners in order to ensure programs and initiatives better serve our community.
Partner Spotlight: Little Babes Club
Over the past year, our partnerships with Keiki to Career, KPAA, and E Ola Nā Keiki have played a significant role in shaping Little Babes Club into a true community hub for Kaua‘i families. What began as a simple indoor play space has evolved into a gathering place where parents, caregivers, and keiki can not only play, but also connect, learn, and feel supported. These collaborations helped us bridge gaps in access, elevate parent voice, and strengthen the support systems surrounding early childhood on our island.
Our work with Keiki to Career first sparked a deeper conversation about how to support parents of young children in a way that feels accessible and welcoming. We knew families needed a space where they could show up as they are, without worrying about childcare, disruption, or judgment. By opening our space for parent meetings and discussions, we created an environment where parents could bring their children, let them play safely, and still participate fully in meaningful conversations. This simple shift made it possible for families who might otherwise feel excluded to attend, share their stories, and feel heard. These meetings helped parents express their needs, frustrations, and hopes for early childhood programs on Kaua‘i—insight that can truly shape systems when it reaches the right people.
Children and Families
Maternal and Child Health
2025 Program Highlights
- Community Outreach: Our Maternal & Child Health Community Health Worker Leah Ho continues to provide navigation for our general public and Micronesian migrant communities. A total of 228 Outreach Connections have been made, providing kokua with childcare concerns; maternal and child health; afterschool programs and activities; child safety; and education services are the most in-demand. Thanks to the numerous Kauaʻi and statewide partnerships, the program has been able to reach many in our community, assist in navigating services, and provide relief for families who experienced hardship at some point during this year.
- Family Resource Centers: Our Maternal & Child Health Community Health Worker was selected to participate in a statewide cohort in support of the new initiative of building school-based Family Resource Centers (FRC). Through this cohort, KPAA is able to support the newly established FRC at Kapa’a Middle School.
- 14 Mini Kiosks Installed: Through the effforts of the Kauaʻi Department of Health and KPAA, 14 Mini Kiosks were stocked and distributed to provide access to community resources for families on-island. We especially targeted low-income, high-risk, and families with young children.
- Read With A Child: In partnership with Women, Infant and Children (WIC), Community Health Worker Leah Ho was able to support cognitive and language development of children from birth to age 5, reaching 110 families and distributing 340 books.
- Malama Kauaʻi Food Gift Certificates: Food Gift Certificates were provided to 13 families who were experiencing food insecurity. With the government shut down, we distributed the last of our Food Gift Certificates in hopes it provided some relief for those families.
- Keiki Meal Cards: In partnership with The Musubi Truck Kauaʻi, we distributed 250 meals, which included musubi, fruit, chips, and a drink to families and individuals in our houseless and low-income communities, where food insecurities are prevalent. Our partners–Hale ʻOpio, DOE– McKinney Vento, New Hope Kauaʻi, and Kauaʻi Tobacco Cessation–assisted with identifying families and individuals to receive these meal cards, serving 193 individuals.
- Kaua’i Bus Outreach: Through a grant from the Kauaʻi Bus, KPAA was able to provide pregnant women; families with young children; families with individuals who have weekly medical appointments; and families with limited to no access to transportation with free bus passes. We distributed 210 bus passes, serving 29 families and 94 individuals.
Partner Spotlight: State of Hawai'i DOE
I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance for their incredible support of our McKinney-Vento students and families experiencing homelessness. Their kindness and willingness to step in and help have truly made a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
KPAA has provided Musubi Truck meal cards and Mālama Kaua‘i gift certificates, which have helped families put food on the table during tough times. They also donated a Little Library for the YES Van, giving our students and families a chance to enjoy reading wherever they are — a small gesture that brings comfort and connection.
One moment that stands out was when a parent shared she had no Christmas gifts for her young daughter because of financial hardship. KPAA didn’t hesitate to help. They made sure that child had something to open on Christmas morning — including recently a volleyball for an aspiring young athlete. That simple act of kindness meant so much and brought hope and joy when it was needed most.
I’m so grateful for KPAA’s continued partnership, compassion, and care for our students and families. Their support reminds our youth that their community believes in them and that they are not alone.
Youth and Young Adults
Kaua'i Resilience Project
Read a welcome message from Dr. Heather Lebrun here.
2025 Program Highlights
- Hired new coordinator for the Kauaʻi Resilience Project, Dr. Heather Lebrun, in May 2025; her doctoral research includes examining the social determinants of health impacting the next generation on Kauaʻi
- Facilitated a new after school program for Kapaʻa Middle School, working with nonprofit Child and Family Service
- Partnered with Kapaʻa Middle School to successfully fundraise monies to cover after school programs including athletics
- Initiated the Kauaʻi Youth Advisory Council, working with students from schools across the island and hosting a collaborative dinner honoring them and their families
- Currently working with local muralists and various schools to implement 4 student-led murals on-island
- Sponsored two Kauaʻi High School teens to the Capitol, representing the Marshallese community, to participate in the 32nd Annual Hawaii Children and Youth, where they shared their manaʻo with legislators and other teens from across the state
- Currently working with Dr. Keawe of Kapaʻa High School to promote a robust construction, electrician, and plumbing career pathway for Eastside students
- Supported Kumano I Ke Ala with funds for their girls paddling team to compete internationally
- Sponsored uniforms for the Kapaʻa Middle School Choir, who competes annually in California
- Partnering with Hoʻākeolapono Trades Academy, Keala Foundation, Kumano I Ke Ala, Hawaiian Community Assets, Kauaʻi Youth Advisory Council, Kapaʻa High School teacher Kara Kitamura and Realtor Kim Evans to bring Resilience Fairs for the youth and young adults of Kauaʻi
- Funded a Cultural Night for the nascent Eastside Festival towards ending bullying of Micronesian youth in the schools
- Currently facilitating support for the children and families of Kawailehua Public Housing, Paʻanau Village in Koloa
- Provided T-Shirts for the youth participants to wear for the Keala Foundation’s Annual Ultimate Trail Run
- Partnered with the Department of Education’s ALPSS program for at-promise students, providing them with tools for a carpentry program
Partner Spotlight: Kapa'a Middle School
Our middle school students are at a uniquely challenging stage of development—a super high-needs level. Students are learning how to manage intense emotions, developing a stable sense of self, and building healthy relationships. At the same time, youth are managing their academic workload and trying to excel academically. This requires a level of support that goes beyond the classroom, especially given the wide range of family needs and resources we serve.
The Kauaʻi Resilience Project, which seeks to build protective factors for our young people to successfully navigate life’s challenges, has made significant, tangible contributions to our school this past year. Heather Lebrun has successfully helped coordinate a critical afterschool program with key community partners, creating essential opportunities for adolescent development. It has also secured necessary funds from community clubs to directly support academic and athletic programs for keiki at KMS.