Report on He Hoʻomaka Hou Ana O Puna’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Program Overview: Haumana Kukākūkā

Since February 2022, the nonprofit organization He Hoʻomaka Hou Ana O Puna has operated Haumana Kukākūkā, a culturally responsive program on Hawaiʻi Island. The initiative is designed to support female and female-identifying individuals who are survivors of domestic violence, substance use disorders, homelessness, and sexual trauma. The program’s core mission is to create a safe and culturally affirming space (puʻuhonua) that fosters healing and resilience through courageous conversations (kukākūkā).

Alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The work of He Hoʻomaka Hou Ana O Puna directly addresses several key Sustainable Development Goals through its targeted interventions and community-based approach.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The program provides critical support for mental and behavioral health, addressing intergenerational trauma and substance use disorders among survivors. By offering group and one-on-one mentoring, it promotes psychological healing and well-being.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: By focusing exclusively on empowering female survivors of violence and trauma, the program works to eliminate violence against women. It creates a supportive community where women can rebuild their lives, thereby promoting gender equality and empowerment.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The initiative specifically addresses the disproportionately high rates of domestic violence experienced by Native Hawaiians (30%) and Filipinos (24%) in Hawaiʻi. By providing culturally-rooted support, it aims to reduce inequalities and promote the social inclusion of marginalized groups.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The program contributes to building a peaceful and inclusive society by supporting survivors of crime, including domestic violence and sexual assault. Its trauma-informed peer mentoring helps reduce cycles of violence and fosters community-level healing.

Program Funding and Expansion

The program’s capacity and reach have been significantly enhanced through strategic funding. Its operational history includes:

1. Initial private funding from Cockrell Electric for the first three years, supporting approximately 20 individuals referred by HOPE Services Hawaiʻi.
2. A $10,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Hawaiʻi in January, which enabled the program to accept self-referrals, expand outreach to remote areas, and develop a mentorship initiative.
3. A $75,000 Peer 2 Peer Grant from the National Center for Victims of Crime, also awarded in January, to expand trauma-informed peer mentoring programs for survivors.

Methodology and Cultural Framework

The program’s methodology is centered on indigenous Hawaiian cultural practices to promote deep and lasting healing.

• Puʻuhonua: Creation of a safe, culturally affirming space for participants to heal without judgment.
• Kukākūkā: Facilitation of courageous conversations in group and one-on-one mentoring sessions to address trauma.
• Ancestral Knowledge: Integration of solutions rooted in ancestral wisdom, including huakaʻi (trips to sacred or culturally significant spaces), to reconnect participants with their heritage.
• Lived Experience: Leadership and mentorship are provided by individuals with lived experience as survivors, such as co-director Renee Rivera, ensuring an empathetic and effective support system.

Measured Outcomes and Impact on SDGs

The program has demonstrated tangible outcomes that align with its goals and contribute to the SDGs.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The program successfully secured housing for a woman after 16 years of homelessness, directly contributing to the goal of making communities inclusive and safe.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: Six women who have participated in the program are now attending college for the first time, a significant step toward achieving quality education and economic empowerment.
• Community Integration: Participants are connected with local agencies for housing, healthcare, and mental health services, creating a comprehensive support network.
• Leadership Development: A former program participant has transitioned into an internship role, demonstrating a sustainable model for community-led healing and support.

Conclusion and Future Objectives

He Hoʻomaka Hou Ana O Puna, through its Haumana Kukākūkā program, provides a vital service that creates pathways for women to heal, rebuild, and thrive. By grounding its work in a culturally responsive framework, the organization effectively addresses the interconnected challenges of violence, trauma, and inequality. Its long-term objective is to foster individual and community-wide multigenerational healing, thereby making a sustained and measurable contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Hawaiʻi.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article focuses on the Haumana Kukākūkā program, which supports survivors of substance use disorders and provides mental and behavioral health services. It aims to promote “deep healing and resilience” among participants, directly contributing to their overall well-being.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The program’s success is highlighted by its impact on education. The article explicitly states that “six women who have been in the program now attending college for the first time,” and another participant “went to college at 54,” demonstrating a direct link to providing educational opportunities for vulnerable women.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The core mission of the program is to support “female and female-identifying survivors of domestic violence… and sexual trauma.” It addresses violence against women and empowers them to heal and rebuild their lives, which is central to achieving gender equality. The article cites a study showing that 18% of adult residents have experienced domestic violence, underscoring the need for such programs.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The program is culturally responsive and specifically addresses the disproportionately high rates of domestic violence experienced by Native Hawaiians (30%) and Filipinos (24%). By providing targeted support and empowering these vulnerable groups, the initiative works to reduce inequalities within the community.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article mentions that the program supports survivors of homelessness. A specific outcome is cited: “place a woman into housing after 16 years living on the street.” This action directly contributes to ensuring access to safe and adequate housing for all.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The program’s existence and expansion are made possible through various partnerships. The article details funding from a private company (Cockrell Electric), a local fund (Women’s Fund of Hawaiʻi), and a national organization (National Center for Victims of Crime). It also mentions referrals from HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, showcasing a multi-stakeholder approach.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.
   • The program creates a “puʻuhonua (safe and culturally affirming space)” for “kukākūkā (courageous conversations) to promote deep healing and resilience.” It also connects participants with “mental and behavioral health services.”
2. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
   • The program is explicitly “aimed at supporting… survivors of… substance use disorders.” One participant notes that she now has a sponsor and is on the drug court committee, indicating successful engagement with substance abuse recovery systems.

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.5: Ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including indigenous peoples.
   • The article provides direct evidence of achieving this target by stating, “six women who have been in the program now attending college for the first time” and another participant who “went to college at 54.”

SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.
   • The program directly addresses this target by supporting survivors of “domestic violence… and sexual trauma.” It provides a healing space and mentorship to help women recover from violence.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… ethnicity… or other status.
   • The article highlights that “Native Hawaiians and Filipinos experienced the highest rates of domestic violence.” The program’s culturally responsive approach, which embraces Native Hawaiian culture, empowers a particularly vulnerable ethnic group to heal and rebuild, promoting their social inclusion.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
   • The program supports survivors of homelessness and works with local agencies to find housing. A key achievement mentioned is having “place a woman into housing after 16 years living on the street.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
   • The article details the program’s funding model, which relies on partnerships with the private sector (“funded privately by Cockrell Electric”), civil society foundations (“Women’s Fund of Hawaiʻi awarded a $10,000 grant”), and national non-profits (“Peer 2 Peer Grant for $75,000 by the National Center for Victims of Crime”).

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Implied Indicator: Number of women receiving support for substance use disorders and mental health challenges through the program.
• Implied Indicator: Number of participants successfully connected to formal mental and behavioral health services.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Mentioned Indicator: Number of program participants enrolling in tertiary education for the first time (“six women who have been in the program now attending college for the first time”).

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Mentioned Indicator: Prevalence of intimate partner violence (“18% of adult residents saying they have experienced physical violence”).
• Mentioned Indicator: Number of women and girls subjected to sexual or domestic violence who receive support services (“about 20 people helped” initially, with the program now expanding).

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Mentioned Indicator: Proportion of a specific population group (Native Hawaiians at 30%, Filipinos at 24%) who have experienced domestic violence.
• Implied Indicator: Number of participants from vulnerable and indigenous groups empowered through the program’s services.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Mentioned Indicator: Number of homeless persons provided with secure housing (“place a woman into housing after 16 years living on the street”).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Mentioned Indicator: Amount of funding mobilized from private and non-profit sources (“$10,000 grant” and “$75,000” grant).
• Mentioned Indicator: Number of partnerships established with private companies, foundations, and other agencies (Cockrell Electric, Women’s Fund of Hawaiʻi, National Center for Victims of Crime, HOPE Services Hawaiʻi).

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bigislandnow.com