Hawai’i Children’s Action Network Honors Champions for Children on September 13: Maui Now

Hawai’i Champions for Children to be Honored at “Blooming Ball” gala

HONOLULU, HI – Hawai’i Children’s Action Network (HCAN) will celebrate individuals and organizations dedicated to the well-being of keiki (children) at its annual Champions for Children gala on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at The Pacific Club in downtown Honolulu. The event, themed “Blooming Ball, A Night in Paradise,” aims to raise vital funds for HCAN’s advocacy work ensuring all children in Hawai’i are healthy, safe, and prepared for success.

This year’s honorees represent a diverse range of contributions to the lives of Hawai’i’s young people:

Family-Pleasant Employer: Family Promise of Hawaiʻi, recognized for its commitment to supporting working families. Innovator: Haylin Dennison of Spill the Tea Cafe, lauded for creative approaches to community support.
Unsung Hero: Mindy Bolo of Last Deminity Health Center, celebrated for dedication to frequently enough-overlooked needs.
Youth Advocate: Kyle-Ann Bobo of RYSE Residential Youth services and Empowerment, acknowledged for empowering young voices.
Advocate: Representative Jeanne Kapela, honored for legislative efforts championing children’s rights.

“Thes individuals and organizations truly embody the spirit of aloha and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to our keiki,” said Deborah Zysman, HCAN Executive Director.”This event is a chance to express our deep gratitude and collectively strengthen our efforts to build a brighter future for all families in Hawai’i.”

The gala will feature a cocktail hour, entertainment from hui Pū Music and Breaks R4 Kidz, local vendors, a buffet dinner, and both silent and live auctions.Alex Reeds can also experience the artistry of award-winning lei maker Dale Acoba, alongside Hawai’i Calligraphy and Kolea’s Creations.

Investing in Hawai’i’s Future: The Importance of Child Advocacy

HCAN’s work is notably crucial in Hawai’i, a state facing unique challenges related to the cost of living, access to healthcare, and educational equity. Child advocacy organizations like HCAN play a vital role in bridging gaps and ensuring that policies and resources prioritize the needs of keiki.

Beyond immediate support, investing in children yields long-term benefits for the entire state. Studies consistently demonstrate a strong correlation between early childhood advancement and future economic prosperity, civic engagement, and overall community well-being.

Event Details & Ticket Data:

Tickets for the “Blooming Ball” are available for purchase through August 11, 2025.

Individual Tickets: $200
Non-Affiliated Tables (10 guests): $2,000
Sponsor Tables (10 guests): Starting at $2,500

all proceeds directly support HCAN’s ongoing initiatives. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit champions.hawaii-can.org.

Major sponsors for the event include Kamehameha Schools (KS) Kaiāulu, Kaiser Permanente, ProService Hawaiʻi, Consuelo Foundation, Hawaiʻi Dental Service, Hawaiian Airlines, Kamaʻāina Kids, kapiʻolani Medical Center, and Strategic Dialog Solutions.

How does the HCAN event specifically aim to address the needs of children impacted by the Maui wildfires?

Event Details & Recognition

The Hawai’i Children’s Action Network (HCAN) will be hosting its annual “Champions for Children” event on September 13th, recognizing individuals and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children and families across the state, with a specific focus on Maui’s recovery and future needs.This year’s event is particularly poignant given the recent challenges faced by the Maui community.

Date: September 13, 2025

Location: Details to be announced – check the HCAN website (https://www.hawaiichildren.org/) for updates.

Focus: Celebrating advocates for keiki (children) and addressing critical issues impacting child welfare in Hawai’i.

Key Themes: Resilience, recovery, and rebuilding a brighter future for Maui’s children.

Honorees & Their Contributions

While the full list of honorees is typically revealed closer to the event date, HCAN’s “Champions for Children” awards generally recognize contributions in areas such as:

Early Childhood education: Individuals and programs fostering quality learning experiences for young children.

Healthcare Access: Advocates ensuring children have access to necessary medical and mental health services.

child Welfare: Professionals and volunteers working to protect children from abuse and neglect.

Advocacy & Policy: Leaders championing policies that support children and families.

Community Support: Organizations providing vital resources and services to families in need.

Past honorees have included educators, social workers, healthcare providers, and community leaders who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to child well-being. Expect this year’s awards to highlight those actively involved in Maui’s disaster relief efforts and long-term recovery plans for children impacted by the wildfires.

HCAN’s Role in Hawai’i’s Child Welfare Landscape

The Hawai’i Children’s Action Network plays a crucial role as a non-partisan statewide coalition dedicated to advocating for policies that benefit children and families.Their work encompasses:

legislative Advocacy: Monitoring legislation and advocating for policies that support children’s health,education,and well-being.

Data Collection & Analysis: Providing data-driven insights into the challenges facing children in Hawai’i.

Community Collaboration: Fostering partnerships between organizations working to improve the lives of children.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness about critical issues impacting child welfare.

Focus Areas: Early learning, health, family economic security, and child abuse prevention.

The Importance of Supporting Children in Maui

The recent wildfires on Maui have underscored the vulnerability of children in disaster situations. Supporting children’s recovery requires a multi-faceted approach:

mental Health Support: Providing access to trauma-informed care for children and families affected by the fires. This includes counseling,therapy,and support groups.

Educational Continuity: ensuring children can continue their education despite displacement and disruption.This may involve temporary learning centers or online resources.

basic Needs Assistance: Providing food,shelter,clothing,and other essential resources to families in need.

Long-term Recovery Planning: Developing comprehensive plans to address the long-term needs of children and families impacted by the disaster.

Addressing Disparities: Recognizing and addressing existing disparities in access to resources and support for vulnerable populations.

How to Get Involved & Support HCAN

there are several ways to support HCAN and their efforts to champion children in Hawai’i:

Attend the “Champions for Children” Event: Show your support for the honorees and HCAN’s mission.

Donate to HCAN: Financial contributions help fund their advocacy and programs. (https://www.hawaiichildren.org/donate)

Volunteer Your Time: HCAN often seeks volunteers for events and advocacy efforts.

Stay Informed: Sign up for HCAN’s newsletter and follow them on social media to stay up-to-date on their work.

Advocate for Child-Friendly Policies: Contact your elected officials and urge them to support policies that benefit children and families.

Resources for Families on Maui

In light of the recent events, here are some key resources for families on Maui:

Maui County: (https://www.mauicounty.gov/) – Official county website with disaster relief information.

Hawaii 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 for information and referrals to health and human service programs.

American Red Cross of Hawaii: (https://www.redcross.org/local/hawaii) – Providing disaster relief and support services.

World Central kitchen: (https://wck.org/) – Providing meals to those affected by the wildfires.

* hawaii Community Foundation – Maui Strong: ([https://wwwhawaiic[https://wwwhawaiic