Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 1998 — Alu Like's Kōkua [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Alu Like's Kōkua

For more than 20 years, Alu Ilke^ projects and programs have offered solutions for Hawaiians who need help.

By Paula Durbln f INCE 1975, Alu Like's mission has 1 been to "kōkua Hawaiians who are committed to achieving their poten1 tial." Now the largest private, nonW profit agency in the state serving Hawaiians, Alu Like is funded by the state, county, federal and private sources, as well as from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and it has branches on O'ahu, Hawai'i, Maui, Kaua'i and Moloka'i. Eaeh year, it helps thousands through programs and projects in social development, education, employment and eeonomie development. Alu Like provides information and referrals to all callers regardless of ethnicity. Below are the numbers to eall on O'ahu for specific programs. Islands representatives ean be reached at the 5356720 on O'ahu, 961-2625 on Hawai'i, 242-9774 on Maui. 245-8545 on Kaua'i and at 553-5393 on Moloka'i. Eligible Hawaiians, and, in some cases, their nonHawaiian family members. ean take advantage of the following projects and programs, often at no cost: Ke Ola Pono No Nā Kūpuna. Hawaiians, part-Hawaiians and their spouses, at least 60 and unable to take care of themselves, meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for arts and crafts, health lessons, excursions and community activities, followed by a nutritious luneh. Currently the program is conducted in Waimānalo, Papakōlea and Kapahulu on O'ahu, at two sites on Kaua'i and one site eaeh on Moloka'i and Hawai'i. 535-6710. Pūlama I Nā Keiki. This familybased program for children 0-3 years old ideally begins when the new mother of a Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian child is in the second trimester of her pregnancy. The child's physical nourishment and mental stimulation are emphasized and the new father's particpation in the child's development is encouraged. 535-6766. Native Hawaiian Library Project. Libraries across the state lend books by mail to remote areas, provide Native Hawaiian data resources for use in-

house, teach Hawaiian, offer after-school care and help with homework. Neighbor Island sites are located on or near Hawaiian Home Lands. 535-6750. Offender/Ex-Offender Program. Counseling, ho'oponopono, kūkākūkā, pre-employment workshops, vocational training, post-secondary education and/or job placement are available, as appropriate, to pre-trail defendants; defendants awaiting sentencing; incarcerated inmates close to parole or to release; unemployed ex-offenders on parole, probation, work release or out of prison; as well as significant others. Participants' re-arrest rate is 3 percent, eompared with 60 percent of other ex-offend-ers statewide. 535-6790. Youth Aleohol and Tobacco Prevention Project. A Neighbor Island program for high risk youth, 12 to 17, works through school clubs to sponsor drugfree dances and ehannel energy into Hawaiian culture, excursions and eommunity service. 535-6790. Hui Ho'ona'auao I Nā 'Ōpio Project. Offenders, ex-otfenders, high school drop-outs, runaways and other high risk youth, 14-21, turn their lives around through ho'oponopono, counseling, computer training, working in the loi and other activities involving parents and peers. All participants must be referred by the family court. 535-6790. Family Lōkahi Project. Counselors work with the drug offenders and the drug court. 535-6790. Moloka'i Aquaculture Training Program. On-the-job training covers restoration of the fishpond, Hawaiian culture, the moon cycle, the permit process, oceanography, landscaping, computer skills and specialized agriculture. The first class of eight students graduates this month after a year in training. 537-6780. Native Hawaiian Business Development Center. The center offers a management and technical assistance program is funded by OHA (535-6778).

There is also entrepreneurship training (535-6776) aimed at Native Hawaiians interested in starting a business. Native Hawaiian Vocational Education Program. High school, community college and adult students receive funding towards tuition, tools, uniforms, shoes and other expenses of returning to school for vocational training. The money goes fast in this popular program, but with the school year starting up, fresh funding will be available soon. 535-6740. Employment and Training Program. Through a federally-funded summer program, six weeks of classroom training, work experience in basic skills at minimum wage or on-the-job training in the public or private sector is available to Native Hawaiians, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives 14 to 21 . Birth certificates are required. Training is also available for those over 18, or for high school drop-outs or graduates at least 16, who have been unemployed for seven days or who are employed fewer than 20 hours a week. Participants must maintain a 2.0 in a degree-granting program. 536-4949.

Hawai'i Computer Training Center. To prepare students for the real world, computer training runs from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for 15 weeks. Classes simu- ; late an office setting and office dress is required. Participants must already have ' a high school diploma or GED. 5356770. Multi-services Project. Representa- \ tives on the different islands assist all callers by pointing them in the right 1 direction. "We have calls about replac- ; ing lost dentures and turning on the eleetricity," said Jamie Omori, project administrator, describing the variety of needs her staff addresses. "We will find j the resource if there is anything." 5356720 ; Child Care. A brand new program ; began on July 1 to help O'ahu families provide care for children of Hawaiian ancestry up to age 12. To be eligible, ] parents must be employed or in an edueahonal or training program. Certificates are issued for use with the chosen child care provider. Applications are being accepted through Aug. 15. 535-6798. ■ „ I I

Kupuna George Apuna of Waimanālo enjoys a game with Alu Like volunteer Mrs. Rapoza. Like many other Hawaiian senior citizens, Apuna is enrolled )n Ke Ola Pono No Nā Kūpuna, created by Alu Like, wlth the assistance of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to address the needs of Hawai'i's elder!y. The program offers kupuna an array of supportive services: Outreach, health screenings, transportation, cultural and community activities and homedelivered meals. Ke Ola No Na Kūpuna, whieh operates from seven sites statewide, is open to Hawaiians at least 60 year old and unable to take care of themselves and to their non-Hawaiian spouses. A valid birth certificate is required of all applicants. For information eall the Central Administrative Office of Alu Like at 535-6700.

DHOTO JAYSON HARPER j