Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 2, 1 February 2016 — Communities in Schools Hawaiʻi 25th Anniversary [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Communities in Schools Hawaiʻi 25th Anniversary

1 his year Communities in Schools Hawai'i is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Com-

munities in Schools Hawai'i strengthens

families and communities with special attention to the "disproportionate minority" in all risk categories of education, economics, social, health, and culture. The mission of Communities in Schools Hawai'i (CIS) is to create environments where families and individuals live and practice 'ohana values of caring and shared responsibilities, whieh results in thriving

interdependent relationships. What guides them is their motto: "'Ohana is more than a word; it's a way oflife." In the late 80s, Wally Amos, businessman, new resident of Hawai'i and Board member of the Nahonal Communities in Schools, Ine. approached Aloha United Way and the YMCA to explore the possibility of establishing CIS in Hawai'i. Communities in Schools, Ine. mission is to decrease the drop-out rate in schools. YMCA raised the inhial dollars to start CIS in 1990. Wally Amos invited Fay Uyeda, Counselor, Director and Innovator of successful models for at-risk youth, as well as DOE outstanding Employee, to apply for the position of Executive DirectorofCIS. Fay went on leave from DOE and applied for the position in September 1990 with assistant Blossom Atkins. Maile Kanemaru, then-Executive Director of Mililani YMCA served as liaison between CIS and YMCA. CIS was in a 400 sq. ft. ofhce and shared telephone service with the Leeward YMCA. Fay recruited and developed a Board of Managers made up of community, business, state, andnon-prohtrepresentatives. CIS wanted to provide a model for eollaborative efforts in addressing at-risk youth. With her experience in this held, CIS remodeled a prevention program that included over 180 children and their families. CIS was a broker agent and trainer in the 'Ohana Management System that brought all stakeholders together work-

ing with a foundation of eommon values and practices. The 'Ohana Management System training provides the

framework by whieh participants ean structure their relationships driven by a system of values drawn from the host culture. Communities in School Hawai'i has not only impacted the Waipahu community but they have outreached across the island of O'ahu and throughout the state by partnering with many different organizations. They have provided culturally coherent training and mentor-

ship opportunities for those on Maui through Queen Lili'uoklani Children's Center Maui Unit. Their partnership has supported children of incarcerated parents and has impacted their collective goal of reducing recidivism of mothers released from prison. In Wai'anae they have partnered with Ka Wahi Kaiaulu - Wai'anae Neighborhood Plaee for over eleven years. They have developed and offered community training of the 'Ohana Management System that has put into action collaboration and community responsiveness, by nurturing healthy, safe, productive children, youth, and families of the community. At their yearly fundraiser, Kaulana O Waipahu, they will not only be celebrating their 25 th Anniversary but also outstanding businesses, community educators and well as community contributors. They will be honoring 10 individuals who perpetuate doing business with aloha, educate with aloha and live aloha. Individuals being honored this year are Alan Bartolome, Lethy Enrique, Esperanza "Epsy" Garcia, Aimee Holt, Hercules Huihui, Stan Masamitsu, Rose Pamatigan, Florentina Pucong, Sparky Rodrigues and Charles "Chuck" Wheatley. The event will be held on Saturday March 5, 2016 at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu. There will be a eountry store, silent auehon as well as dinner and a program. If you are interested in attending or would like more information regarding Communities in School please contact Unele Hercules Huihui at (808) 677-0888 or (808) 389-7993 or email at cishawaii@aol.com ■

Cūlette Y. Machadū

Trustee Muluka'i and Lāna'i