Supporting Families, Strengthening Connections, Building Healthy Futures
A Culturally Grounded Home Visiting Program for Hawaiʻi Island Families
Polokalamu Ho‘omaka ‘Ola is a free, voluntary home visiting program that supports families during pregnancy and throughout a child’s first three years of life. Grounded in Native Hawaiian values and relationship-based care, the program helps parents and caregivers build strong foundations for lifelong health, well-being, and resilience.
We believe every family deserves support, connection, and the opportunity to thrive. Through personalized home visits, families receive guidance, encouragement, and practical tools to strengthen relationships, navigate challenges, and create safe, stable, and nurturing environments for their keiki.
Who We Serve
Polokalamu Ho‘omaka ‘Ola serves:
- Pregnant individuals and their families
- Parents and caregivers with children ages 0–3
- First-time parents
- Families experiencing life transitions
- Families impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Parents working toward family reunification
- Families involved with Child Welfare Services (CWS)
- Participants in Drug Court and Family Court programs
- Individuals in recovery from substance use disorders
- Families connected to substance abuse treatment programs
- Parents re-entering the community following incarceration
Our Approach
Our program combines evidence-informed family support with culturally grounded practices that honor the strengths, traditions, and values of Hawaiʻi’s families.
Families work alongside a caring home visitor who provides:
- Parenting guidance and support
- Child development education
- Emotional wellness and stress management strategies
- Support for healthy parent-child attachment
- Goal setting and family strengthening
- Assistance connecting with community resources and services
- Encouragement during pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood
Rooted in Native Hawaiian Values
Polokalamu Ho‘omaka ‘Ola incorporates cultural practices that promote healing, connection, and resilience, including:
Leo Aloha (Loving Voice)
Using language that nurtures trust, respect, and emotional safety.
Hā Breath
Breathing practices that support self-regulation, mindfulness, and stress reduction.
Hoʻopono (Restorative Communication)
Strengthening relationships through accountability, understanding, and healthy communication.
These approaches help families foster calm, connected, and responsive parenting while building emotional security for children.
Building Protective Factors
Research shows that strong protective factors can reduce the effects of childhood adversity and promote positive lifelong outcomes.
Polokalamu Ho‘omaka ‘Ola helps families strengthen:
- Parental resilience
- Social connections
- Positive parent-child relationships
- Knowledge of child development
- Emotional wellness
- Safe, stable, and nurturing home environments
Supporting Recovery, Reunification, and Child Well-Being
Polokalamu Ho‘omaka ‘Ola partners with families who are working toward recovery, reunification, and long-term family stability.
The program can complement services provided through:
- Child Welfare Services (CWS)
- Drug Court programs
- Family Court programs
- Substance abuse treatment providers
- Community healthcare organizations
- Reentry and recovery services
By strengthening parenting skills, improving parent-child relationships, and increasing family support networks, Polokalamu Ho‘omaka ‘Ola helps families build a strong foundation for lasting success.
Polokalamu Ho‘omaka ‘Ola welcomes referrals and collaborative partnerships from:
- Child Welfare Services (CWS)
- Family Court and Drug Court programs
- Substance use treatment and recovery providers
- Healthcare and behavioral health providers
- Hospitals, birthing centers, and pediatric clinics
- Early Head Start, Head Start, and early childhood programs
- Schools and family support agencies
- Native Hawaiian organizations
- Cultural practitioners and community-based organizations
Families may also self-refer.
Contact Us
Polokalamu Ho‘omaka ‘Ola
Y
WCA Hawaiʻi Island
📞 808-935-7141 ext. 118
skanakaole-wong@ywcahawaiiisland.org
www.ywcahawaiiisland.org
Free • Voluntary • Family-Centered • Culturally Grounded
Together, we can help Hawaiʻi Island families heal, grow, and thrive.
At Polokalamu Ho‘omaka ‘Ola, we honor the strengths that already exist within every family. Through culture, connection, and compassionate support, we work alongside parents and caregivers to create safe, stable, and nurturing environments where children, families, and communities can thrive.