HI HOPES Initiative

Join the HI H.O.P.E.S. Initiative at EPIC ʻOhana and help uplift youth voice across Hawaiʻi. We’re hiring for:
HI H.O.P.E.S. Specialist (Maui): https://www.hrsymphony.com/hrs/route/position/15385/S3UE
Administrative Assistant (Oʻahu): https://www.hrsymphony.com/hrs/route/position/15161/V4ZJ
HI H.O.P.E.S. Specialist I (Statewide): https://www.hrsymphony.com/hrs/route/position/15547/G5JG
If you believe in leadership, connection, and creating real change with youth, we’d love to have you with us. Learn more about EPIC ʻOhana at https://www.epicohana.org/ and explore the HI H.O.P.E.S. Initiative at https://hihopes.org/

Game night at the HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Board Summit was an absolute blast! 🎉 From the intense Minute to Win It challenges hosted by our individual boards to the epic annual game of musical chairs, every moment was filled with laughter and bonding. We ended the night singing our hearts out at karaoke 🎤, sharing stories, and roasting s’mores by the fire! 🔥 It was incredible to connect with both new and familiar faces, creating unforgettable memories and strengthening our boards. 💙💚
 

✨The start of a new year often lends room for time to reflect on the lessons learned from years past, an assessment of where you’re currently at, and creation of the goals you have for the future. ✨

In like fashion, at the start of every year, the HI H.O.P.E.S. Initiative does just that by bringing Board Members from around the State to share their accomplishments, lessons learned, and hopes/goals for the upcoming year at our annual three-day HI H.O.P.E.S. Summit. During the Summit, Board Members participate in bonding activities, workshops, and Board Planning sessions to ground them in this work, so they have the fuel and fire to spark change in the foster care system in the years ahead.

This year, our Annual HI H.O.E.S. Summit was held last month from Friday, January 24th through Sunday, January 26th, at Camp Mokulēʻia on the North Shore of the island of Oʻahu. In honor of our 15-year anniversary, the theme of our Summit this year was “Leaving, Living, and Leading Our Legacy,” to pay tribute to the work done by our HI H.O.P.E.S. Legends of the past, the work currently being done by our current Board Members, and the goals, vision, and direction we collectively see for our future as an Initiative.

To kick us off on our journey into reflection for the weekend, our Board Members gathered for the evening opening session and reflected on the following questions:
1) What light do you carry with you for those who have left a legacy with the HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Board?
2) What light do you currently carry and hold as you lead your legacy?

During this session, we gained a lot of insight into the path paved by the HI H.O.P.E.S. Legends of the Past and the strengths of those currently serving on the Boards.

Stay tuned for more highlights of the Annual Summit Recap in the weeks ahead! We’ve got a ton to share with you and we hope you’ll do the same starting with today’s post! Feel free to answer the questions above in the comments section below 😊

✨ 2024: Year in Review! ✨

This year, the East Hawaiʻi HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Board worked tirelessly to create meaningful change and amplify the voices of foster youth. We were honored to host and collaborate on impactful events, including our Sibling Christmas Connection Event, Foster Care Awareness Month activities, transition ceremonies, and much more. As well as, celebrating milestones like Imua Kākou’s 10th Anniversary and meeting with incredible leaders like the First Lady, this year was filled with opportunities to educate, advocate, and collaborate to make a difference for our foster youth. Here’s to building on this momentum in 2025! 🌟