Building Partnerships
Part of our work in the community is about build partnerships and supporting the work they do. In working together we can be more impactful and achieve our goals. We recently partnered with Kalihi-Palama Library. Our volunteers will be reading and planning activities every 4th Saturday of the month. Stop by with your family if you can. GO! READ
Happy Summer Break to King Kaumuali’
Another successful year for kids at King Kaumuali’i . They received their own book just intake for summer break. Have a wonderful summer and GO! READ
Volunteers making a difference
University of Hawaii, Pre-Med Association students processed over 10,000 books. Volunteers Zeven and Kayla are regular readers for 2nd graders Kalihi EL. Mahalo for your help. GO! READ
If you want to read to kids too, volunteer.
RECAP 2024
Reflecting on 2024. What an amazing year of giving. Thank you to all of our volunteers in 2024 Pat, Lena, Brenda, Carol, Aileen, Moana, Mercedes, David, Catherine, Pop, for their continued commitment to education. You make the world of difference with every visit and story you tell. YOU ROCK! GO! READ
2024 ALOHA BOOKGIVING
The Aloha Bookgiving is another way for teachers to get books for their children. Our donors, chose specific teachers to receive books and this is the result for 2024.
Recipients:
Fern Elementary: 2nd- Arakawa, Jambaro, Taboada and Nojo. 1st- Carr. Nitta and Belmoro. K -Arakaki and Kagesa. PK: Kaa and Mijata.
Kalihi Elementary: 2nd-Shira and Wong
Lihikai Elementary: PK- Sagano. K-Haia. K- Gouldburn. 1st- Okeuchi, Ramos, Sniffen, Real, Bisera, Fronda. 2nd- Gibuena, Isagawa, Domingo, Bugler, and Orikasa.
Makaha Elementary: PK- Lenchanka and Milligan. K- Laa, Dennis, Bennett Kamaka-Ramos, and Honda. 1st- Iwanaka and Calbero. 2nd- Gilbreath, Andres and Yagi.
Maunaloa Elementary: 5th and 6th- Esaniola. 4th- Fernandez 3rd- Kaulia, 1st & 2nd Bicoy. K- Turah,. and PK- Mollena.
Waikoloa Elementary: 2nd- Cresencia Ker and Mante. 3rd- Unbedacht and Salgado.
Waimanalo Elementary: PK- Clayton and Iwaishi. K- Wilson and Elman. 1st- Nagaki and Kaneshro,. 2nd- Elmasri and Wong. 3rd- Clayton.
King Kaumualii Elementary: 2nd Marvek, Arakaki, Umakosh, Nitta, Tabonair. ABOVE: 1st- Sandrine, Casseler, Yamamotoya and Taylor.
Stamping Books for kids
Mahalo to the 12 students of the Pre-Medical Association at the University of Hawaii who helped to stamp books as part of service to our community. GO! READ
Making A Difference Near and Far
In July, Dayna Santos and her son Regan read to ABCD children in Batavia, New York. The kids enjoyed Regans story so much, they couldn’t help but give him A BiiiiiiG hug.!! Mahalo Kolleen for always welcoming our readers!
Dayna continued the giving for kids at Kilauea and Hanalei Schools on the island of Kauai. Mahalo Ms. Sara D.
Mahalo Dayna and Regan for being part of the giving and making an impact on these young minds!1 GO! READ
Time with Dr. Akaka
Dr. Gerard Akaka met with the DHS Foster Grandparent Program to talk about What a physician would want his patients to know.- the importance of planning ahead and having an advance directive. Thank you Dr. Akaka for making time to meet with our seniors.
Maemae Literacy Week
To celebrate National Reading Month, volunteers read to over 300 kids in grades K, 1 and 2 at Maemae EL. Mahalo Sandra, Moana, Mercedes and Catherine for taking time out of your schedule! GO! READ Maemae
Community Day at Camp Erdman
Volunteers participated in the YMCA Community Day at Camp Erdman on Sunday, March 10 that attracted families from all over the island. They engaged guests with literacy activities and also distributed books. Mahalo to Jennifer Holmberg YMCA community Director and 89ner for organizing this wonderful event. Mahalo to Catherine, Cobyn and Madison for your help this day.
Mahalo Soldiers from USARPAC
February's Make Ready Volunteer Event was held at Pearl Ridge Elementary School on Thursday, 22 February. U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Fort Shafter and Brenda Casimero read to nine classes serving 170 children. Mahalo to SSGT Fortuna team of readers from USARMY USARPAC.
RECAP 2023
The 2023 was a year field with events promoting the foundation, from reading to kids, at Kapunaha EL with Lena, publishing our first children’s book “A Beach Day with Pa”, Ekahi event celebrating Pa Akaka’s 99th Bday at Pacific Club, sending books to molokai with Will, distributing books to Kaneole EL kicking-off Aloha Akaka Week, marching in the Aloha Week parade, simply celebrating the gift of reading and learning with the community and with our Ohana! MAHALO to Hawaii Team Pat, Rose, Lena, Will, Olivia, Donalyn, Nick, Nikki, Catherine, Dwayne, Kaeyla, Cobyn, Roxanne, Milton, Everyone who helped with Ekahi (PT89 planning team and volunteers: Brook, Moana, Akoni, Dayna, Tira, Gayla, Courtney, Lloyd and Milton) and mahalo to our Originals Team), we appreciate everyone that helped to make this year a success!! Mahalo again and GO! READ
Reading with Mrs. Lena
MESSAGE FROM TEACHER: Ms. Lena and Kinder class after receiving the latest book from Ohana100. They were so excited and thankful for the new book to add to their home library. Mahalo nui loa and blessings for a beautiful Christmas and prosperous New Year! Mrs. Leilani Ikeda. Kapunahala🌲
Aloha Festival Parade
Volunteers participated in the Aloha Festival Parade. It was a 3.5 mile route from Ala Moana Beach Park through Waikiki to Kapiolani Park. Mahalo to everyone for participating in such a short time: Milton Hee (driver), Auto Buyers Hawaii for lending the convertible car, Roxanne Olayan, Mom and Dad Olayan, Roosevelt High School Key Club and Honor Society Members, Nick Akaka, Nikki, Cobyn and Catherine.
Maui Visit
We visited Maui and met with community members, friends of victims from the Lahaina fire. Mahalo Rosa S., Maria B. Margie, Colleen N. and James Q. for all your time. We appreciate the hard work and commitment to servicing families affected by the fires. We send our prayers of comfort and support to you and the Maui communities. We were also able to get books to Maui children.
Kaneohe Aloha Books
To celebrate National Literacy month we had our annual Aloha Book distribution at Kaneohe EL on September 5th. Mom Akaka helped to distribute brand new books to all students from pre-K through 6th. Mahalo Principal Minakami for helping to coordinate this event. GO! READ
Books For Molokai Kids
On April 8, Will our volunteer pilot received books from David in Honolulu then flew to Molokai to delver books and meet with Tina, who picked up books Maunaloa EL at the airport. Mahalo for taking time out of your schedule to fly over books. GO! READ
RECAP 2022
We find ourselves moving back to familiar spaces, where few programs in continued online virtual reading and where our volunteers returned to the classrooms. MAHALO to Aunty Pat, Aunty Rose, Ms. Sandy, Ms. Olivia and Uncle David for reading kids in Hawaii this year. We appreciate you being part of our Ohana Hawaii Team and we appreciate your commitment to literacy. MAHALO also NY Team: Ms. Linda, Ms. Eileen, Ms. Wendy and Ms. Marie for reading to our kids in WNY. We truly appreciate your commitment to the foundation and to children in Hawaii, New York and around the world. GO! READ
Celebrating Dr. Seuss
Volunteers were invited to read to children at Pauoa Elementary to celebrate Dr. Seuss Birthday. It has been a while since our volunteers visited a school since the start of the pandemic.
MAHALO Rose, Olivia, Lena and Sandra for being available. GO! READ
