2018 the Garden Island

THURSDAY May 10, 2018

SUPPORTING LOCAL FAMILIES TGI’s special Keiki Day edition helps benefit Parents And Children Together throughout Kauai and the state

THE GARDEN ISLAND and Intensive Support Services state contracts — and donations Program. from private gifts and grants. he mission of Parents And The Intensive Support Services Keiki Day is PACT’s largest fund- Children Together (PACT) is Program assists families whose raising event of the year and fund- Tto provide a safe haven for children have serious emotional, ing can be used wherever it is children, allowing children to visit social and behavioral challenges. needed most. This is critical to fill with their non-custodial parents or Services are designed to increase in the gaps and cover key pro- to transition from one parent to parental participation and include grams that may not otherwise the other. Multisystemic Therapy (MST), an have funding. Keiki Day has raised Promoting a healthy connection intervention model for children approximately $70,000 for PACT in between children and their parents with willful misconduct disorder. each of the last few years. is a necessity and can go a long MST helps the family to supervise One aspect of Keiki Day that way in terms of a child’s ability to and support their child’s adjust- shouldn’t be overlooked is getting grow and develop interpersonal ment in the community. Functional the children involved too with es- and problem solving skills, said Family Therapy (FFT) is an evi- say and poster contests. This year, Marie Vorsino, Vice President of In- dence-based family treatment sys- the contest winners were Cecilia tervention Programs at PACT tem for youth experiencing one of Pierce, Lukia Lozar, Makana Har- Kauai. a wide range of externalizing be- oldsen and Melia Purcell and Sha- “Our family visitation center pro- DENNIS FUJIMOTO / THE GARDEN ISLAND havior disorders along with family nia-Leigh Nishimori-Medeiros. vides an opportunity for court-or- problems. At the end of the day, PACT’s Keiki Day winners Cecilia Pierce, Lukia Lozar, Makana Haroldsen dered, non-custodial parents to Proceeds from sales of today’s mission isn’t to make money: it’s and Melia Purcell, (missing Shania-Leigh Nishimori-Medeiros) have a safe and family-like home special TGI Keiki Day edition bene- about keeping families together. setting to visit with their children,” from one another. gram given its success over the fit PACT services to continue the “We have families that stay with Vorsino said. “They can play The organization started in 1968 years. work that they do on Kauai and us quite a long time and we see im- games, they can have a meal, it’s as a single program in Kalihi, and “It’s definitely common (on throughout the state. provements in how the non-custo- completely monitored and com- has grown into an organization Kauai). We’re seeing more families The special-edition papers are dial parent interacts with their pletely supervised. It’s a really nice that helps many families across the in our visitation center. You can also sold across the state and cop- child,” Vorsino said. opportunity for parents and chil- state every year. It now offers ser- have two parents who may not be ies will be made available to stu- Youth and families needing ser- dren to build that relationship in a vices on Maui, Molokai, Lanai and getting along who can come in and dents in classrooms statewide as vice from the MST therapist are safe and neutral environment.” the Big Island, as well as Oahu and do voluntary family visitation but gifts from sponsors and donors. screened and referred to PACT PACT is a family service agency Kauai. we’ve seen an uptick in our family Other programs that PACT offers through family guidance centers lo- that assists over 15,000 people a PACT offers facilities such as visitations,” she said. “These fami- to families in Hawaii include early cated around the state. Once con- year. These programs are available family centers, domestic violence lies might have had issues between childhood education, mental tact is made, therapists work to struggling families to allow par- shelters and transitional housing the parents in terms of domestic health support, youth develop- wherever necessary to accomplish ents to work through their prob- to residents statewide. violence or restraining orders.” ment and community building. As their goal. lems together, rather than Vorsino said that more and more There are two programs on a private nonprofit organization, For more information, go to continue to argue and break away families are taking part in the pro- Kauai: a family visitation center PACT gets funding from federal and www.pacthawaii.org.

TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 245-0433 See A2 for information regarding Parents And Children Together programs thegardenisland.com 2 • THE GARDEN ISLAND >> Thursday, May 10, 2018 Keiki Day 2018

Celebrating 50 Years… Together

“Together” is a powerful word. By tionships that working together, we become more effi- bring people to- cient. By banding together, we become gether - the bond stronger. By sharing together, we show between a child Contest Winners compassion and generosity toward one and his or her another. parent, grand- There’s so much we can accomplish parent, aunty or if we come together as a neighborhood, uncle, brother or as a community, as a state. sister, coach, godparent or teacher that This year, Parents And Children To- provides guidance, safety and support. gether celebrates 50 years of serving the For 50 years, Parents And Children To- people of Hawaii. Our work would not gether has worked to strengthen these be possible without the ardent support important bonds with our educational, of the service community, government social service and community building agencies, the legislature, the private sec- programs. tor and community members like you. Most of all, we’d like to thank you for Together, we help 15,000 parents, chil- standing with Parents And Children To- dren, individuals and families access gether all these years, supporting our much-needed social services and sup- mission and sharing our vision of a port every year. peaceful, safe and vibrant Hawaii where This Keiki Day is a celebration of our everyone has the opportunity to fulfill 50-year journey and the work we’ve ac- their dreams. With your support, we complished together. We’re proud to hope to continue serving Hawaii for the present original artwork and stories next 50 years and beyond. from keiki all over the state, each shar- Mahalo, ing what the word “together” means to them. Ryan Kusumoto We’re also celebrating healthy rela- PACT President & CEO

Melia Purcell Wilcox Elementary School Kindergarten

Makana Haroldsen Kawaikini NCPCS Fourth Grade

Cecilia Pierce Home-Schooled First Grade

Shania-Leigh Nishimori-Medeiros King Kaumualii Elementary School Third Grade

Lukia Lozar Kawaikini NCPCS Third Grade Keiki Day 2018 Thursday, May 10, 2018 << THE GARDEN ISLAND •3

Shaping the future of Hawaii, together.

WE SALUTE PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER (PACT), celebrating 50 years of service to the community, for another successful Keiki Day. Your dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment for Hawaii’s keiki is a true inspiration. From emphasizing the benefits of early childhood education, to promoting the importance of family in our community, you continue to lead by example.

Protecting Hawaii’s families and businesses since 1911.

©FIRST INSURANCE COMPANY OF HAWAII LTD. 2018 ficoh.com

When we gather, we learn.

At Gather Federal Credit Union, we are deeply committed to helping our keiki reach their goals and plan for their futures. Together we can help build their ﬁnancial security by teaching them the importance of saving and spending wisely. We are dedicated to strengthening the ﬁnancial well-being of our island communities.

For more information on our Youth Accounts and Financial Literacy Programs, visit us at gatherfcu.org/ﬁnlit or call us at 808.245.6791.

“Gather Federal Credit Union, Kauai’s Community Credit Union” Formerly Kauai Community Federal Credit Union

Federally insured by NCUA 4 • THE GARDEN ISLAND >> Thursday, May 10, 2018 Keiki Day 2018 Snack Shop • Liquor • Grocery • Meats • Produce

IN THE HEART OF KOLOA SINCE 1918

MARKET 742-1611

Sueoka’s Snack Shop Monday to Friday 8:30am to 2:30pm Now Open Saturday & Sunday 9am to 3pm

Where The Locals Eat Burgers Fries and more

Old Koloa Town 742-1112

A Family Restaurant Come check out our new menu Servicing All Islands Triple Combo Vegetarian Loco Moco We are Chemical Disposal Experts Kauai Shrimp Scampi • Hazardous Waste Monday Special: Management Oxtail Soup • Used Oil Recycling Friday Night Special: • Electronic Waste Prime Rib Recycling Desserts • Transformer Testing, & Disposal Chiffon Cream Cheese Squares Warm Fruit Cobbler Brownie Sundae PB&J Sundae Cream Pies

(808) 431-4645 Dine in or Take out and catering

Hours Mon - Fri 10:30a - 8:30p Sat 5:00p - 9:00p Sun: Closed 1-3529 Kaumualii Hwy, Hanapepe At the trafﬁ c light in Hanapepe Keiki Day 2018 Thursday, May 10, 2018 << THE GARDEN ISLAND •5

WE SUPPORT HAWAII’S KEIKI 6 • THE GARDEN ISLAND >> Thursday, May 10, 2018 Keiki Day 2018

Celebrating 50 years of providing essential social services and support to Hawaii’s keiki and families. Parents And Children Together 4-1579 Kuhio Hwy., Suite 201A Kapaa, 96746 Phone: 821-0574 parentsandchildrentogether.org

Board of Directors Dana-Ann Takushi, Chair Mihoko Ito, Vice-Chair Mike Moses, Secretary Wade Kodama, Treasurer Dave Shibata, Past Chair Lui Faleafine Jr. Nicole Rino Cappy Fasi Kelly Ueoka Patricia Kim Shaun Ushijima Anne Lopez Teresa Vast Pomai Moniz John Whalen Joan Okubo

… for All Your Support through the years. To the little ones & the young at hearts, we are all one ohana. Happy Keiki Day!

Always Pono... Always Ono... 4-1300 Kuhio Hwy • Kapa‘a, HI 96746 808-822-4581 Keiki Day 2018 Thursday, May 10, 2018 << THE GARDEN ISLAND •7

Ishihara Market, Ltd. P.O. Box 545, 9894 Kaumualii Hwy. Waimea, HI 96796 Ph: (808) 338-1751 Fax: (808) 338-0440 Su ortin Kauai’s Keiki!

Mahalo Kauai for Supporting Ishihara Market thru the years. With Family Pride, we will continue to provide the Best Quality Products and Customer Service to You ALL. Thank You Again From All of Us at Ishihara Market.

MovinMovin KeikKeik && OhanOhan fofo Generation Generation As one of Hawaii’s largest employee-owned businesses, Roberts Hawaii is humbled and proud to have ‘moved’ people in our community for over 75 years, and we look forward to continuing to serve our islands for generations to come. Warmest mahalo and best wishes to PACT for your tremendous dedication to youth across the state.

LOKAHITEAMWORK | KINA`OLEFLAWLESS | HA`AHEOPRIDE

www.RobertsHawaii.com

An Employee Owned Company 8 • THE GARDEN ISLAND >> Thursday, May 10, 2018 Keiki Day 2018