Advocacy Events

Join us in highlighting our work to strengthen families in Maui County

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. Hoʻoikaika Partnership allies and partners participate in statewide advocacy efforts to improve access to social, health, and family support services.

 

Join our Public Education & Advocacy Committee

Hoʻoikaika Partners Present to Maui County WASSP Committee

In January, Maui County Council Member Shane Sinenci, Chair of the Water Authority, Social Services, and Parks Committee (WASSP), invited Hoʻoikaika Partnership to present a committee briefing in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness month. Hoʻoikaika Partnership Coordinator Deb Marois and partner Cayla Kutaka, Maui Program Director at Parents And Children Together (PACT), delivered presentations focusing on child abuse prevention and child sex trafficking in Maui County.
 
Deb shared Maui County child abuse data and HP’s role in strengthening protective factors through provider coordination and workforce support, community outreach, navigation services, public education, and systems change. Cayla presented on sex trafficking in Maui County, highlighting local data, risk factors, and the importance of early identification and coordinated response. Public Education and Advocacy Committee member Kristin Mills also provided testimony on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), reinforcing the importance of prevention-focused, upstream approaches. Mahalo to partners Euconfra “Connie” Meekhof, Paul Tonnessen, and Dani Egeberg for attending in the council chambers!

Watch the full WASSP committee briefing video, including the discussion and Q&A with Council members.

The discussion and Q&A that followed was especially impactful. Council members listened closely, asked thoughtful questions, and engaged deeply with the information presented, reflecting strong interest in prevention-focused and collaborative approaches. As reported by Maui Now, the briefing underscored the importance of coordinated prevention efforts to strengthen community safety and well-being.

Download HP Briefing Presentation
Download PACT Briefing Presentation

Your presence matters. Showing up together strengthens our collective voice and helps reinforce the importance of prevention with County leadership. We hope you’ll join us throughout the year and consider sharing testimony about your work in Maui County.

Our Public Education & Advocacy Committee successfully educates and advocates for policy, program and systems changes to prevent child abuse and 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.