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Merrie Monarch and Ho’ōla Nā Pua: Dreaming of Brighter Futures

Ho’ōla Nā Pua was a proud partner of the 2023 Merrie Monarch, by participating in the Royal Parade, a sponsor of the PSA and collaborating on a video that highlights the rising problem of sex trafficking in the Native Hawaiian community. We stand with the Native Hawaiian community and Hawaiʻi Island, in raising awareness and providing care and services to the exploited.

HONOLULU (HI Now): Ho’ōla Nā Pua creates a community where children have the ability to embrace their bright futures.

This segment includes an interview with Kainoa Carlson and the CEO & Founder of Ho’ōla Nā Pua, Jessica Muñoz. Watch now to learn more about the crisis statistics of sex trafficking in Hawaii and how you can get involved!

Easter Festivities

The youth had fun hunting for Easter eggs that were filled with chocolate and other treats. Afterwards, each youth received a basket filled with hair ties, Chapstick, pedicure kits, and other goodies. Jonny and Tammy Bitanga came and cooked brunch for the girls. They made Portuguese Carne de vinha d’alhos, garlic roasted potatoes, sweet Hawaiian rolls, scrambled eggs, and fruit. The girls had fun, everyone participated, and said brunch was delicious! A big thank you to the Pearl Haven staff and volunteers who made this Easter celebration possible for our youth.

Joyful Living, LLC

Joyful Living LLC and Joyful Living Aesthetics is a Family Practice and Aesthetics Medical Spa located in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. It's a place of hope and healing for you and your family. Our mission is to offer compassionate care to all of our patients and clients, being a place of healing, and equipping people to live their best life possible while looking and feeling their best. Demonstrating Joy for the journey, which comes from the salvation knowledge of Christ and His mercy and grace towards us.  

Kashe is a local girl born and raised in Hawaiʻi and a U.S. Army Veteran. Her husband Dr. Matthew Dykema is an Osteopathic Family Medicine Doctor. They have a passion to take care of people locally, whether through their clinic and medical spa or by contributing time and resources to their community. We believe that everyone is a person deserving of life protected from being stolen from them. There are evils in this world that would take children or vulnerable adults and steal that protected life from them. We stand against any and all human slavery and sex trafficking. We pray for all those children and adults that have been abused and used and had their innocence stolen from them.

We just heard about Ho’ōla Nā Pua through a flyer at the Merrie Monarch parade and knew we were led to contribute to join the fight with them. We usually contribute to other organizations with similar missions and goals, but we were unaware there was something local. We're glad to see people representing and getting the word out about this program and making people aware of the evils that are in our own islands affecting our communities. We look forward to future partnerships with Ho’ōla Nā Pua. We live by this motto... "Joy is...knowing that no matter what happens in life, there is hope for the future."

Owners: Dr. Matthew S. Dykema D.O and Kashe Dykema M.A.

Mahalo for your support!

Lōkahi Award from the Youth Challenge Academy in Hilo

Hawai'i Island would like to congratulate our Hoku Group Program Coordinator, Lovey Silva, for receiving the Lōkahi Award from the Youth Challenge Academy in Hilo! 

One of the traditions of the Hawai'i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy is the presentation of the 'LŌKAHI' award. Rooted deeply in its Hawaiian Traditions, 'LŌKAHI' underscores the values cooperation, working together, and helping others. The Hawai'i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy in Hilo are pleased to recognize individuals who exemplify the spirit of unconditional and selfless service.

The Lōkahi Award was graciously presented to Ho'ōla Nā Pua because Ms. Lovey consistently exemplifies both working together with our program, including staff members and cadets, and helping our youth to strive for a better future. According to the Hawai'i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy Counselor Mrs. Jeraldine “Jeri” Holley, "Ms. Lovey's selfless service to these cadets has been demonstrated time and time again and she has displayed unconditional love for our youth through her teachings." 

Your dedication and perseverance have been acknowledged & the Hawai'i Island Team will kākoʻo this merited recognition! Mahalo for your unwavering commitment with helping to create a community where children are safe and can embrace their bright futures!

Congratulations Lovey!



Ho’ōla Nā Pua and Jaco Booyens were so appreciative for the support of the attendees and volunteers at the Hawaiʻi premieres of SEX NATION, to bring more awareness and accountability to the ever-growing issue of sex trafficking. If you were unable to attend, you can CLICK HERE to stream the movie.

Ho’ōla Nā Pua attended and showcased our important mission on Friday, April 21 at the Annual Hawaiʻi Prayer Breakfast held at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Join the Ho’ōla Nā Pua Team for the 2023 HLTA Charity Walk!

In 1978, the Hawai`i Lodging & Tourism Association members voted to extend the reach of support offered by the Walk's fundraising capability. The Visitor Industry CHARITY WALK is the result of this decision. Since its inception in 1978, over $40 million has been raised and helped hundreds of local charities throughout the State.

The 2023 Visitor Industry Charity Walk is going to be held in-person

on May 6, 2023!

We are thrilled to announce that Ho‘ōla Nā Pua’s 8th ANNUAL PEARL GALA is set to return on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at The Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina.

Featuring amazing live entertainment, a multi-course dinner, live and silent auctions, a curated wine pull, hope-filled testimonials, live-streaming and the Advocacy Awards, honoring community champions who are making a difference in the lives of Hawai‘i’s at-risk youth. We hope you can join us to support this annual event. 

Interested in becoming a mentor?

Hawai'i Island's Monthly Mentor Interest Meeting is coming up on May 2. CLICK HERE for more details and to register.

For Oʻahu, there will be an interest meeting on Thursday, May 4 on Zoom at 6 p.m. Please email Starfish@hoolanapua.org for more information.

Would you like to contribute to the O‘ahu Programs Amazon Gift Registry?

Please CLICK HERE to view the items needed.

Have You Considered The Powerful Impact

$1-A-Day Can Make In Your Community?

Give $1-A-Day to support Ho‘ōla Nā Pua’s island-wide Education and Training Programs and help keep our keiki safe from exploitation. 

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