Ka Pa‘alana

A Light for the Future

The Ka Pa‘alana Traveling Preschool and Homeless Outreach serves houseless families along the Leeward Coast of O`ahu. Ka Pa‘alana began its first day of preschool on February 12, 2007 at the Kalaeloa Onelau‘ena “Good Beginnings” Shelter. The twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) two hour a day center-based preschool has averaged 18 keiki from ages birth to five and 22 parents. It is believed to be first ever collaborative funded project of the Department of Human Services and the Kamehameha Schools.

The Ka Pa‘alana Traveling Preschool and Homeless Outreach has formed a collaborative partnership with the Wai`anae Community Outreach (WCO) to serve families in need on the Leeward Coast. Kanani Bulawan, Executive Director for the WCO has expressed her gratitude in the preschool services at the “Good Beginnings” shelter. She relayed to Ka Pa‘alana that some of families were apprehensive of the preschool services, but, now their children look forward to Mondays and Wednesdays. The WCO has also been instrumental in securing the park site for the preschool as well as a hopeful permanent building site near the “Good Beginnings” shelter.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays the Ka Pa‘alana team sets up preschool and food distribution services on Leeward Coast beaches. Ka Pa‘alana has successfully assisted the WCO in transitioning 12 families into the new Wai`anae Civic Center shelter. The WCO was instrumental in securing park permits for the preschool as well as bringing families from nearby tents to the preschool. Ka Pa‘alana is looking at beginning preschools services for shelter residents at the Wai`anae Civic Center in late April.

	Danny Goya Program Director

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Hope Floats...
Hope Chapel gears up for summer keiki programs.

Monday, June 2, 2008
Black Beetles, Buzzing Bees, and Beautiful Butterflies
Keiki learn all about insects’ body parts and living environment.

Monday, May 19, 2008
Remember to Add Water, Sun, and Love
The keiki of Ka Pa‘alana learn about the natural cycle of plants in the month of April.