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ABOUT

ABOUT

Kīʻapu is a navigation and workforce collaboration, offering alternative approaches to guide youth with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed. In partnership with our key collaborators like organizational partner, Kinai `Eha, we combine cultural mentorship with practical training, guiding youth toward a future where they are skilled, community-minded, and driven to effect positive change.

 

Kīʻapu incorporates the community to mentor and empower youth in the program. Contact us if you are interested in participating in our program, or offering your services to Hawaiʻi's young and talented individuals.

  • Youth: Discuss how we can support your journey to success. Kīʻapu offers a supportive environment where you can gain skills, earn certifications and credentials, receive stipends and additional services based on your needs and goals, and build a career and educational pathways based on your future ambitions.  
  • Education and Training Providers: Connect with our team to see how we can work alongside you to enhance your mission to provide education and training pathways to Hawai`i’s young adults. 
  • Employers: Partner with Kīʻapu to discover motivated and resilient individuals who are ready to contribute to Hawai`i’s workforce. Invest in Kīʻapu’s future leaders and see how your organization can grow alongside them. Connect with us to discuss ways to partner and provide internship opportunities, apprenticeships, workforce development training, or job opportunities for our youth.
  • Community Members: Learn how you can join hands with Kīʻapu to provide mentorship, volunteer opportunities, and resources that make a difference in the lives of Hawai`i’s youth.

 

Components

Components

Kīʻapu offers a holistic approach to workforce development and educational pathways, providing tools and support to help youth achieve their goals.

Individualized Support
Each participant receives personalized, one on one guidance tailored to their unique journey. Our team is trained in trauma-informed healing, and is committed to understanding participants' stories, identifying goals, and assisting them in overcoming obstacles along their path to success.
Educational Pathway Assistance
Our participants are provided with support and resources to enhance their educational pathways, including connections to CTE training, GEDs, certifications, etc. After assessing our participants' needs for support, our team identifies areas of service, including tutoring, connections to training providers and certifications, GED or completion of high school diplomas, and additional ways to enhance and support the educational experience of our youth.
Workforce Development Training
We provide individual and group training that equips participants with the skills required to succeed in reaching their goals for education, training certifications, and careers.
Community Engagement
We believe in the strength of the community and encourage participants to engage with local projects and initiatives to nurture a sense of belonging and responsibility while impacting positive change in their local communities.
We partner with educational institutions, employers, cultural practitioners, and other workforce initiatives and local organizations to ensure our participants have the resources and training they need to achieve their goals.
Supportive Services
The Kīʻapu program strives to remove barriers to employment and education for youth by providing financial supportive services for essentials such as tools, training fees, interview attire and work uniforms, childcare, transportation, and professional certifications. This support is aimed at removing barriers for achieving success with education and workforce goals. 
  • It’s important to note that while we strive to provide comprehensive support, our funding is grant-based and, therefore, not guaranteed indefinitely. We manage our resources carefully to ensure equitable distribution of funds to all participants and maintain sustainability.

Contact Kīʻapu

Send a message to Kīʻapu and get started with empowering youth (ages 14-24) on Windward Oʻahu, Leeward Oʻahu, or Molokaʻi. Ask a question or fill out the form below and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

  • Looking to inquire about the Kīʻapu program.
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Recent News

Recent News

Tūtū and Me Maui’s Keiki Receive Thousands of Books Through Community Partnership

November 27, 2024

In a powerful demonstration of community support, Maui’s youngest learners are discovering the joy of reading thanks to a significant book donation to Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool.Reading Rocks, a division of Lakeside Industries based in Issaquah, Washington, initiated this transformative project with a generous $10,000 book donation in May 2024. The impact doubled through…

Federal Indian Boarding School Oral History Project Stops in Hawaiʻi 

November 6, 2024

From the U.S. Department of the Interior  At the end of October, President Joe Biden formally apologized for the Federal Indian Boarding School Policy, saying “I have a solemn responsibility to be the first President to formally apologize to the Native people – Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Native Alaskans for the Federal Indian Boarding Schools….

Maunaloa Elementary School Achieves Remarkable Turnaround Utilizing a Community School Model  

October 3, 2024

Maunaloa Elementary School, in partnership with Partners in Development Foundation’s (PIDF) Piha Me Ka Pono program, has helped to dramatically reduce chronic absenteeism from 64% to 6% in just one year, marking a significant milestone in the school’s improvement efforts.   Located in west Molokai, Maunaloa Elementary School serves approximately 50 K-6th grade students each year….

PIDF welcomes Sarah Kama as Director of Finance

September 30, 2024

Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) is excited to announce the appointment of Sarah Kama, a proud Native Hawaiian and esteemed financial expert, as the new Director of Finance.