Executive Director’s Corner Fall 2024

Three Months of Awe

I am so excited to be a part of this edition of the EPIC Newsletter. It has been three months since I took on the role as Executive Director and I have been humbled by what I have experienced and witnessed in this short time. I see dedicated EPIC team members who serve our ‘ohana and keiki with aloha, integrity and the highest of standards. I hear conversations filled with hope, compassion, innovation and vision. I feel the pilina between our EPIC ‘Ohana team members and with everyone we associate. I have learned so much and I continue to learn each and every day. I am in awe of the work that we are privileged to be a part of, the change that we collectively effect in our systems, communities and amongst those we collaborate with, and the ‘ohana, keiki and young people we are honored to serve.

Our Truly EPIC Work

There is so much exciting work taking place at EPIC ‘Ohana. Our ‘Ohana Conference team and Parent Partners are working together in a unique collaboration to engage families in efforts that seek to prevent child welfare involvement and/or leads to early reunification for those involved in the system. Our Youth Partners have recently completed the first-of-its-kind curriculum development and certification for youth peer specialists in Hawai’i, in partnership with the Department of Health. Our Wrap, Youth Circles and Family Finding programs continue to grow and serve our ‘ohana and youth in amazing ways. Our QIC-EY and HI HOPES programs are about to launch Pilina Circles, a new case planning model for adolescents in foster care, piloted in conjunction with our East Hawai’i Child Welfare and Family Court partners. Seven members of our staff, including those with foster youth and birth parent experience, presented a workshop on the Nā Kama a Hāloa network and Mālama ‘Ohana at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) Convention in Kona, Hawai’i this month.

Kūlana and Kuleana

At the CNHA convention, our entire team attended a workshop about Kanaka Leadership led by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner, educator, advocate, and kumu hula, Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu. It was standing (and sitting on the floor) room only and Kumu Hina spoke about leadership through a Kanaka (Native Hawaiian) lens. She emphasized kūlana (role/title) and kuleana (responsibilities affiliated with kūlana) and the importance of being clear about our roles and responsibilities in our own lives. She also spoke about leading with aloha (love/compassion) and mahalo (gratitude) and that, as kanaka leaders, our identity to ʻāina (place) and moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy) are key. All of our EPIC ‘Ohana team, whether they are Kanaka or not, take on their kūlana and kuleana with a deep commitment to aloha and mahalo, of that I am sure. Their service to the people of this ʻāina is inextricably linked to the moʻokūʻauhau of EPIC ‘Ohana.

May we all humbly commit to our own kūlana and kuleana, at work, home, and in the community, with aloha and mahalo.

Me ka ha’aha’a

Delia Parker Ulima