Public Education & ADvocacy

Working together to keep our ‘ohana healthy, safe & supported

A Committee Dedicated to Advocating for Policy, Program & Systems Changes to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect

Hooikaika Partnership Protective Factors Parenting Can Be Hard

Public Education & Advocacy Committee

Meetings Every 3rd Monday
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
On Zoom (partners only)

Protective Factors Kalo Boy Books Distributed in 2023-2024

‘Ohana Fest 2024 with Mayor Bissen’s Proclamation

This video provides an overview of the 4th Annual ‘Ohana Fest, including Mayor Bissen’s proclamation coordinated by the Friends of the Children Justice Center of Maui for Child Abuse Prevention Month. These videos were created by Baldwin High School’s SCHWA/Digital Media Club.

Maui County Council Resolution 2025

Hoʻoikaika Partnership's Public Education & Advocacy committee is working with Councilmember Gabe Johnson's office to develop the resolution.

Council Agendas TBD

Maui County Council Resolution 2025

Thursday, April 17
9:00 a.m.

Council Chamber
200 S. High Street, Kalana O Maui Bldg, 8th Floor
Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793

Successfully Educate & Advocate for Policy,

Program & Systems Changes to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect

Education and advocacy are powerful ways to engage the public and policy makers on topics related to child abuse and neglect in order to create systems-level change in the county, state, and nationally. This can help change the way programs and organizations operate to better prevent child abuse and neglect in Maui County and raise the profile of the Hoʻoikaika Partnership and its partners as leaders on these issues. Advocacy can also empower and raise up the voices of parents, caregivers, and youth with lived experience. Advocacy and education on child abuse and neglect to community and legislative leaders has been a longstanding interest since the Partnership formed.

Adopt Annual Advocacy Priorities

Create internal Hoʻoikaika Partnership structure (Charter) to support the ability to have an advocacy platform, given the diverse membership that includes state agencies, community-based organizations & individual members
Develop a process to select policy priorities with other organizations that are in alignment with the mission, goals & values of Hoʻoikaika Partnership such as policies that address the prevention of child abuse & neglect, family violence & trafficking of youth; transformation of the child welfare system; & support for the workforce
Identify & cultivate natural partners to inform & support the advocacy agenda
Provide input related to statewide child abuse & neglect prevention, including participation in the development of the Hawaiʻi Children’s Policy agenda

Build Capacity of Partners & Allies to Educate & Advocate by Providing Training, Resources & Information

Provide advocacy training at annual conference & year-round outreach
Develop and/or share educational materials, position papers, action alerts, & example language to support advocacy priorities & public education goals
Compile and/or share data and reports on incidence of child maltreatment as well as prevention activities in Maui County with partners, policy makers, first responders, and the public
Partner with local leaders to educate & advocate on systemic barriers

Empower Those with Lived Experience in Maui County to Inform Public Policy, Program & Systems Level Change

Promote Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) & other Maui County and statewide programs that focus on increasing family voices

Strengthen Relationships with Policy & Decision-Makers, Raising Hoʻoikaika Partnership's Visibility & Positioning it as a Primary Resource for Matters Impacting Children, Families, & the Workforce that Serves Them

Identify & participate in relevant county and state level meetings, coalitions, & collaborations on topics important to strengthen the system & prevent child maltreatment
Facilitate individual partners to meet with Maui County Council members annually
Partner with local leaders such as Women Helping Women, Maui Police Department, & other first responders, to deliver an annual “State of the Children” in Maui County
Educate about protective factors, Hoʻoikaika Partnership & available resources

Public Access Room Workshop Recordings

What is Public Access Room?

The Public Access Room (PAR) is a resource provided by the State of Hawaii’s Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB). It offers the public information, facilities, and services to assist them as they engage and participate in the state legislative process.
The Public Access Room hosted workshops in January to help everyone get ready for the 2025 Legislative Session.

Watch the videos to learn more.

2025 Your Voice: Participating at the Hawaii State Legislature
2025 Get to Know the Legislature’s Website

2025 Your Voice:
Participating at the Hawaii State Legislature

Join staff from the Public Access Room to learn more about how you can advocate at the Hawaii State Legislature. We’ll provide an overview of the State Legislature and the legislative process in Hawaii, covering everything from an idea for a new law, to testifying and following bills and how you can use your voice in the process. There will be time at the end for questions.

OR if you prefer to look at a PDF of the presentation slides:

Download the PDF

2025 Get to know the Legislature’s Website

The Hawaii State Legislature’s website provides tools for getting active in the legislative process. We’ll cover how you can create an account to use the interactive features (signing up for hearing notices, submitting testimony, & creating a measure-tracking list). And provide additional tips using the website. There will be time at the end for questions.