Trainings & Events

Trainings are like the hīpuʻu that teach us how to tie stronger kōkō. They provide skills, knowledge, and tools that help families, youth, and caregivers carry the weight of challenges with greater ease. We gather to share our mo’olelo and to strengthen our bonds.

Youth Voices

The moʻolelo of each youth is a unique hīpuʻu, bound with the threads of their lived experiences. Together, these moʻolelo form a kōkō that reflects the strength and resilience of young people.

Family Voice

The moʻolelo (stories) shared here are like hīpuʻu (knots) and kōkō (nets). Each story ties together the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of ʻohana. Together, these strong knots form a larger net for ʻohana to carry resilience, aloha, and hope - making for a stronger and healthier community.

Family Voice

These hīpuʻu are tied with love and perseverance — moʻolelo of families coming back together, carrying the strength of healing and reconnection.

News

National Reunification Celebration 2025

Every June families who have navigated the Child Welfare System and successfully reunified with their children are honored in the State of Hawai‘i. Partners like EPIC ‘Ohana Conferencing, Child Welfare Services, Lili’uokalani Trust, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i and UH Law School come together to plan a lunch celebration. This year in 2025 we had the privilege to honor three families on the island of O‘ahu.

Reunification Celebration Maui 2024

Celebrating Reunification Month for two families from Maui County. One family from Maui Island and the other from Moloka’i.

National Reunification Celebration 2023

Every year a family is honored for successfully reunifying with their children. This year June 2023 we celebrated the Keleleiki-Francisco family.

Keep Showing Up

This video brings voices of parents with lived experience to encourage birth parents currently in the child welfare system, especially those struggling with substance use disorders.

Our Keiki, Our Kuleana: Weaving ‘Ohana Together

This 10-minute video, created by Hawaii’s Nā Kama a Hāloa Network, depicts the benefits that can happen when parents and resource caregivers (foster parents) collaborate on behalf of the children.

A Healing Journey: The Road to Reunification

A Healing Journey: The Road to Reunification outlines the stages parents go through when their family enters Child Welfare Services (CWS).

National Reunification Month June 2016 – “Nurturing Families”

The story of Stanley Soares' hard work and determination as well as his team of family, friend and service providers that made reunification with his children a success.

Celebrating National Reunification Month -- The U'u family story

National Reunification Month July 2019 - Hikalea Family

Youth Voices

The moʻolelo of each youth is a unique hīpuʻu, bound with the threads of their lived experiences. Together, these moʻolelo form a kōkō that reflects the stregnth and resilience of youth.

News

A Decade of HI H.O.P.E.S.

Join us in celebrating a decade of accomplishments, youth voice and amazing community partnerships!

Brothers and Sisters in Foster Care

Kalani's Story

Promoting Well-Being and Normalcy for Foster Youth

It is important for young people in foster care to have the same opportunities as other young people not in care.

Social Capital: Building Networks of Support for Young People Affected by Foster Care

Trainings & Events

Trainings are like the hīpuʻu that teach us how to tie stronger kōkō. They provide skills, knowledge, and tools that help families, youth, and caregivers carry the weight of challenges with greater ease. We gather to share our mo’olelo and to strengthen our bonds.

News

CWS Hawaii Family Service Plan Training

This video is a panel discussion with four birth parents about their experience of receiving their Family Service Plan. They describe what helped or hindered them around its implementation, and share ideas of how that the process can be improved.

Celebrating 25 years of ‘Ohana Conference

We are excited to share this virtual celebration of ‘Ohana Conferencing - 25 years of service in Hawai‘i .

Pilina: Keeping Siblings Connected in Foster Care Training

Description: Over 70% of children in foster care have siblings in care. Many of them are separated in foster care. This training focuses on the need for siblings to stay connected while in care, provides recommendations and utilizes the voice of youth and professionals with experience.

Pono Process Training for Youth and Resource Caregivers

Pono Process is our newly launched grievance process for youth in care. Learn more about the Pono Process by watching our virtual training.

Pono Process Training for Child Welfare Services

Pono Process is our newly launched grievance process for youth in care. Learn more about the Pono Process by watching our virtual training.

Programs & Resources

Our families and youth are woven into the threads of their communities. Programs and Resources provide a strong kōkō for them to receive the strength, support and guidance they need to thrive.

News