At Project Hawai’i, Inc., we celebrate the remarkable journeys of our young people, exemplifying our commitment to empowering the next generation through education and support. Our mission is rooted in the core values of Aloha (Love and Compassion), Kuleana (Responsibility), and Imua (Progress and Moving Forward).

One of our newest high school graduates embodies this spirit of resilience and determination. She is the first in her family to graduate high school, a testament to her hard work and perseverance. Her journey to this milestone, however, has been anything but easy. Currently living with her disabled grandmother, she has navigated significant challenges, including the absence of her mother due to incarceration.

Despite these obstacles, this amazing young lady is now embarking on a new chapter: she has been accepted into the Culinary Academy through the University of Hawai’i System on a full scholarship. This opportunity not only marks a personal triumph but also represents hope and possibility for her family and community.

Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact of ʻOhana (Family) and Malama (Care and Stewardship) within our organization. Through our programs, we strive to provide the resources and support necessary for young individuals to achieve their dreams, proving that with determination and the right guidance, anything is possible.

One unforgettable story began when I met a young teenager, just 15 years old, living in a tent with her grandmother while raising her 2-year-old son and carrying another child. During our monthly birthday celebrations for the encampment, we discovered that it was her 16th birthday. We decided to make it a special event, complete with a Sweet 16 cake and party favors. To our heartbreak, this was the first time she had ever experienced a birthday celebration. For a girl who was pregnant and a mother herself, this moment underscored the challenges she faced, as her own children may never have such celebrations without our support.

As our back-to-school program commenced, she approached the line for backpacks and school supplies. I told her she wasn’t eligible since she wasn't in school. Angered, she stormed away, but not for long. The following Saturday, with her fierce determination, she returned and threw her papers at me, declaring, “Now you have to give me school supplies; I am enrolled in adult education!”

Impressed by her tenacity, I immediately went to the local shop, purchased the supplies on her list, and returned that same day.

Fast forward four years: this young woman not only graduated from the early educational program but also became a school teacher for a Head Start preschool. She now lives in her own apartment with her two children, thriving in a supportive environment.

This story exemplifies the life-changing impact of our programs, which provide the tough love needed to guide our participants toward independence and success. We are dedicated to fostering ʻOhana (Family) and Malama (Care and Stewardship) within our community, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. This young lady is a shining example of our “why” — proving that with the right support and dedication, transformation is possible.

This year 2020, we have TWO boys who are attending Kamehameha School (which is also a great feat). Both boys are on the basketball team and the senior has spoken with college scouts to consider for his graduation in 2021.

While this is still success in the making, this story represents so many of our youth that are only a few years away from their new future. 

This young boy entered our program at just six years old, living in a car with his single mom and one of his sisters. When his mom found a boyfriend and moved into a home, the situation turned abusive for him—a sad reality for many children in similar circumstances.

Despite these challenges, he displayed remarkable bravery during his time in our program. On a field trip to our Adventures Abound Camp, he proudly asked to hold the fire hose, an experience he cherished and talked about for weeks.

As his journey continued, his mom entered drug rehab, and the children went to stay with their older sister. Our support for him never wavered, and he grew into a junior leader, eventually becoming a teen mentor.

In high school, he thrived as a member of the football and wrestling teams, demonstrating not only athletic prowess but also a commitment to his studies. His hard work earned him a spot in the future career program, and during his senior year, he was accepted into the firefighting academy.

Without intervention and a program designed to help children succeed, this little guy might not have had such a promising future. We firmly believe that our Adventures Abound Camp plays a crucial role in opening children's minds to the possibilities that await them, inspiring them to dream big and pursue their aspirations.

This story begins at a gas station in Puna, where I was pumping gas when a woman approached me, asking for money for gas and food for her two little ones. Living in a van, she was in desperate need of help. I purchased food and gas for her and invited her to our Christmas party, which became a cherished tradition for their family over the following years. She also enrolled her daughters in the other programs we offered, seeking a brighter future for them.

Eventually, she left the program, and I hadn’t heard from her for some time. Years later, I received a message on Facebook from a restaurant owner who wanted to donate food for our Christmas party. To my surprise, she identified herself as the woman I once helped, calling me her "Guardian Angel" who had saved her life and restored her hope for a better future.

She expressed gratitude for the back-to-school and other programs, which gave her the confidence that her children would be cared for, allowing her to focus on her dreams. This determination led her to become the proud owner of a restaurant. Although the lava flow ultimately closed her establishment, her passion remained unshaken. Today, she operates three mobile locations, including one on O'ahu, serving her famous poke nachos and rainbow lemonade.

This story embodies our value of Aloha (Love and Compassion), showing that by believing in others and offering support, we can help transform lives and inspire dreams.

One of the greatest joys of serving in the heart of these impoverished areas is witnessing the growth and transformation of the children we support, even if it takes years to unfold.

Frequently, we have the uplifting experience of being approached in a restaurant or grocery store by a cashier or employee who says, "Do you remember me?" They introduce themselves and share their memories of how our work impacted their lives, often with pride in their successes.

While many of these children may get lost or separated from our programs, when they see us again, they eagerly share their achievements. They want us to know that because of the support they received during their childhood, they were able to escape the cycle of poverty with HOPE.

Many have gone on to attend college, excel in sports, or pursue degrees, and they all feel proud of where they are today. With hundreds upon hundreds of success stories, there is one thing that unites them all: someone believed in them. At Project Hawai’i, Inc., we believe in them!

This is a story that, statistically, should not have happened. When this mother of eight first came to our outreach program, she was living in a large van that they had transformed into a makeshift bedroom, where the entire family slept on a single mattress. We knew she was unlikely to experience personal change, but we focused on providing support for her children and ensuring their needs were met without judgment.

Often barely coherent, she was doing what she could to survive on the streets with her eight children. Our program became a safe haven for them—a place where she could turn for help, knowing no one would judge her.

Eventually, she checked into rehab, and while her children were placed in protective custody, we stood by them, helping to keep the family stable until they could be reunited. Fast forward twelve years: she has now seen five of her children graduate high school, all of whom are employed, while her younger children are excelling in their studies.

Three years ago, she purchased land and built a home for her family. They are well on their way to success, breaking the cycle of poverty into which they were born. To these children, we are their family. They can’t imagine life without the traditions created by Project Hawai’i, Inc., and they continue to connect with us, sharing their happiness and the values instilled in them with their own children. This story is a testament to ʻOhana (Family) and the profound impact of community support.

As is often the case with our homeless teens, many are trapped in the cycle of hardship they were raised in. We first met this remarkable young woman while she was in high school, living in a car with her adult sister. After some time, they found an affordable property where they could build a makeshift house, bringing them one step closer to breaking the cycle of homelessness.

Though she became pregnant and couldn’t complete high school, her incredible talent as an artist shone through. She began creating her own jewelry and clothing, eventually opening her own online shop. While her children spent their early years in our programs, those memories are now overshadowed by their new home, their fresh start, and the strength of their mother who took the steps to succeed.

Today, this young woman, once facing overwhelming odds, is not only a business owner and homeowner but also a loving partner. In her journey of Imua (Progress), she now helps other single moms in need by providing them the opportunity to move forward, embodying the spirit of ʻOhana (Family) and the hope that change is possible for all.

As with many of the children we serve, we sometimes lose track of them due to clean sweeps or other challenging situations. This little girl was one we had only a brief time with, but her life changed forever when Santa visited her on Christmas Eve.

Over a decade later, she reached out to us via Facebook to express her heartfelt gratitude for being part of her childhood. She shared that she carried that Barbie with her everywhere, even when they had to leave everything behind because it represented HOPE—a reminder that someone cared about what happened to her.

Now, from her dorm room on the mainland, she proudly sent us a message letting us know that she and her Barbie made it to college, embodying our commitment to Imua (Progress) and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.