Our Mission

Families are the foundation of our community, and their well-being is inextricably linked to the health and prosperity of the community, state, and nation.

EPIC works to strengthen ‘ohana and enhance the welfare of children and youth through transformative processes that are respectful, collaborative and solution-oriented.

Our Vision

Every family has strengths. Every young person is entitled to: connection with family, connection with supporters, and opportunities to succeed.

EPIC ʻOhana is firmly committed to empowerment, effective planning, and innovative communication. We work to honor the power of family connections.

Our Values

Like the natural elements that guide way-finders across the ocean, our values guide EPIC ʻOhana on our journey. The Spirit of Aloha is our compass, reminding us to move with respect, kindness, and dignity as we navigate alongside families, youth, service providers, and each other. The five principles of Aloha Spirit are the elements that keep us on course, steady and true. The Aloha Spirit strengthens our relationships, or Pilina, on this journey. It also informs our Kuleana, our responsibilities, that keep the wa’a steadily moving ever forward, in an upright or Pono manner.

The 8 principles of the Aloha Spirit at EPIC ʻOhana include:

Akahai

Kindness, to be expressed with tenderness

Pilina

Relationships, to be expressed with care and connection

Lōkahi

Unity, to be expressed with harmony

ʻOluʻolu

Agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness

Kuleana

Responsibility, to be expressed with honor and commitment

Haʻahaʻa

Humility, to be expressed with modesty

Pono

Integrity, to be expressed with honesty and uprightness

Ahonui

Patience, to be expressed with perseverance

Neutral Non-Profit

Effective Planning and Innovative Communication (EPIC) is a neutral, non-profit 501(c)3 Hawai‘i corporation devoted to family conferencing, facilitation, training and program development. We are not part of CPS or DHS/CWS.

Board of Directors

Like the strong lashings that bind the many pieces of a canoe into a single seaworthy vessel, our Board of Directors holds EPIC ʻOhana together. Each member bringing unique strengths and perspectives that, when united, secure us as one strong body, guiding with wisdom and support so we remain steady on our journey, carrying families and youth safely toward brighter horizons.

  • Cleo Brown, Chairperson

  • The Honorable Patrick Yim (ret.), Vice Chairperson

  • Tayne Sekimura, Treasurer

  • Lisa Jacobs, Secretary

  • Karen Worthington

  • Keʻōpū Reelitz

  • Laurie Tochiki

  • Ryker Wada

  • Delia Parker Ulima, Executive Director

  • Arlynna Howell-Livingston, Emeritus Member

  • Betty A. Ching, Emeritus Member

  • Susan Chandler, Emeritus Member

  • The late Peter Lewis, In Memoriam