Executive Director’s Corner March 2025

Holding Close to ‘Ike Hawai’i

EPIC ‘Ohana is excited to launch its EPIC ‘Ike Hawai’i Series in 2025. The monthly virtual, live session features a wide range of presenters and topics through an ‘Ike Hawai’i (Native Hawaiian knowledge) lens. These professional development sessions are available for EPIC staff and board members.

“Holding Close to ‘Ike Hawai’i” is one of EPIC’s Organizational Commitments. We believe that the rich knowledge that has existed through the indigenous people of our beloved Hawai’i for millennia is still relevant today. Our programs and staff vary widely, but we are connected by values of aloha, excellence, and a commitment to serve the keiki, youth and ‘ohana of Hawai’i, as well as our partners and communities. Holding close to ‘Ike Hawai’i as an organization means that we will provide learning and exposure to Hawaiian values and concepts in a way that is accessible to everyone, regardless of background. This will help us develop as professionals, in each one of our individual and collective roles and responsibilities at EPIC ‘Ohana. Our sincere hope is that holding close to ‘Ike Hawai’i will not only develop us as professionals but inform our personal ways of being as we work with and serve one another, our families, communities and contribute to our unique island home with pono and aloha.