The Ho'owaiwai Network
Island-Style Asset Building
About the Network
Ho'owaiwai Network members work together to build strategies and tools to increase family and community assets within the unique context of Hawai'i. The mission of the Ho'owaiwai Network is to encourage family and community self-sufficiency through asset-building policy and practice.
Ho'owaiwai Network: Hawaii Island Style!
Asset Building Strategies on the Big Island
The County of Hawai'i's Department of Research and Development leads and coordinates the local Ho'owaiwai Network on Hawai'i Island. You can read more about the County of Hawai'i's asset building initiatives by viewing the Local Assets & Opportunities Profile for Hawai'i Island by clicking on the link below:
County of Hawai'i - Department of Research & Development
Economic Development Specialist
Financial Empowerment and Sustainability
Email: fbasilio@co.hawaii.hi.us
Website: http://assetshawaii.org/local/hawaiiisland/
Phone: (808)961-8085
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hoowaiwai/?fref=ts
What's happening on the Big Island?
Children's Savings Initiative
Children's Savings Project: Hawai'i Island
Although the Children's Savings Project is a statewide initiative, there is a strong focus on Hawai'i Island as the Mayor of Hawai'i Island is a strong supporter of the project's development and called for an island-wide inititative for every child on the island to open and maintain a savings account.
The Children's Savings Project helps children open and maintain a savings account so they develop and maintain a lifelong behavior of saving. Children that participate receive $5.00 to open a savings account and are encouraged to save a goal ranging from $30 to $50 over the school year. Once they achieve their savings goal, they are able to receive a bonus of $20 to add to their savings.
As of March 2011, eight elementary schools across the Big Island are participating in the Children's Savings Project through partnerships with the following credit unions: Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, Hawaii First Federal Credit Union, HFS Federal Credit Union, Ka'u Federal Credit Union, and Onomea Federal Credit Union. These participating school include the following: Kanu O Ka Aina New Century Public Charter School, Konaweana Elementary School, Kealakehe Elementary School, Keaau Elementary School, Keaukaha Elementary School, Pahala Elementary School, Holualoa Elementary School, Honaunau Elementary School, Waiakea Elementary School and Kalanianaole Elementary School. You can get more information by contacting individual schools about their Children's Savings Program.
To read more about the Children's Savings Project, please click on the following link:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinics
A statewide network of organizational partners help to provide free tax assistance services to low-to-moderate income workers and their families every year. The free tax assistance program, titled Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), helps individuals and families to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), child tax credit, and other valuable tax credits that may help the families pay off debt, save and build assets. Approximately $40 million dollars of EITC monies are missed by Hawai'i families every year, because they do not file for the EITC.
There were multiple sites operating throughout Hawai'i Island during the 2013 tax season. Sites included Hawaiian Community Assets, Alu Like, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Inc., HFS Federal Credit Union, and HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc. For more information call 2-1-1 or email info@hawaiitaxhelp.org. See the attached flyer for more information.
Partner Highlights!
HACBED is a statewide, federally tax-exempt non-profit organization established in 1992 to encourage increased investments in sustainable and community-based approaches to economic development. HACBED's mission is to maximize the effectiveness of people working in communities and the non-profit sector to build a healthier and safer Hawai'i through community-based economic development.
HACBED has also been the driving force and lead agency in the development of the Ho'owaiwai Network and the state's asset-building initiatives.
http://www.hawaiiancommunity.net/
Hawaiian Community Assets is a 501 (c)3 non-profit, HUD-approved housing counseling agency and community lending institution that builds the capacity of low and moderate income communities to achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency with a particular focus on Native Hawaiians.
http://www.hopeserviceshawaii.org/index.php/about
HOPE is a statewide, 501(c)3 non-profit agency committed to ending homelessness through their mission to "bring to life gospel values of justice, love, compassion and hope through service, empowerment and advocacy".