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About Us- Project Hawai'i Summer Camp

Our summer camp is run by dedicated volunteers who come together to change the lives of homeless children. Our camp is unique and unmatched from any other program available on our islands. We have spent years developing programs for the special needs of our children and can tailor the programs to fit individual needs of each camper.

We know that the cause of homelessness starts from generational lack of social and life skills. Children are born into homelessness and without intervention, they will continue this cycle at no fault of their own.

Our program teach children HOW to learn, how to socially interact and how to be leaders of themself. They gain self-esteem and the knowledge to succeed. 

Our dedicated staff have more than just academic knowledge, they have personal experiences and decades of figuring out what is needed, not just cookie cutter philosophy. Our goal is to create future leaders, productive community citizens, small business owners and happy healthy lifestyles. Our team continues their own personal development and attends annual leadership training programs on the mainland. All our interns are also required to attend a basic self development program on island.

Meet our Award-Winning Founders/Directors

Project Hawaii Summer camp

#homelessinhawaii

About Our Keiki

Our keiki live in poverty stricken situations and substandard housing spread across the islands. Some live along the waters’ edge in tents or high in the mountains in abandon cars or substandard makeshift shelters. Most live without running water or electricity and often go to bed without having a nutritious daily meal, or even the basics of a warm blanket and pillow.

 

Island Statistics:

1.  45% of our island keiki are living at least 300% below the poverty

income level determined by the US government guidelines

2. The average age of a homeless person on the islands

is the tender age of 5!

3.  65% of our keiki cannot read at grade level

4.  99% of our keiki rely on FREE SCHOOL meals

as their ONLY daily source of nutrition.

 

MORE Disturbing Facts our Keiki Face:

I want to share these facts that are published by National Center of Homelessness via the census given through the DOE. While these facts are as accurate as possible, there are lots of unaccounted homeless in America. The SAD FACTS that America needs to face--

  • 1.4 million school-age children (6-18 years) experience homelessness in America each year per 2017. 

  • Nearly 2.5 million children in America were homeless at some point in 2018. What's worse? That is 8% increase from 2016 to 2017, now in 2020?? 

  •  In Hawai'i the average age of a homeless PERSON is 5, so obviously this number is much higher here. As it stands NOW, the tender age of 5 is the AVERAGE age of a homeless person in Hawai'i. Since statistics are not providing for those with families who do not have school aged, children, this number too is high.

  • In Hawai'i the drop out rate is high, even higher among teens with unstable environments. 63% of teens with a disability will drop out, and 90% of teens living homeless will drop out. We change those numbers!!

 

Project Hawai'i summer camp provides them with hope of a better tomorrow, pride in being prepared for their first day back to school, and social skills to make new friends. We instill healthy habits to allow them the opportunity to grow and escape poverty.

This year we are asking the Mayor on the Big Island to sign our PROCLAMATION to have the week of July 25th-31st known as Hawai’i Youth Educational Preparedness Week.  We NEED HELP...this plea has gone UNANSWERED FOR YEARS!!

More information about us... financials, etc.

Our award winning program is made possible by

our partnerships with community members like YOU! 

Project Hawaii feeding homeless keiki
Project Hawaii educating homeless keiki
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Project Hawaii
Project Hawaii Teen Mentoring Summer camp
Project Hawaii
Project Hawai'i Summer Camp feeding homeless keiki

Nutrition Award

2008 & 2009

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Project Hawaii Graduation
This is cute video we caught while picking up keiki for camp... showing that this camp is so important to their whole sense of security.