Hoʻoikaika partnership hosts 2026 Annual Conference ‘E Ulu Ē / Growing Stronger Together’

Nearly 150 health and human service providers, educators and community partners gathered Sept. 24 at the Maui Beach Hotel for the 13th Hoʻoikaika Annual Conference, “E Ulu Ē / Growing Stronger Together.”

The day offered opportunities to build relationships, share stories and practice self-compassion among people working with Maui County’s keiki and ʻohana. The ulu tree inspired the theme, symbolizing nourishment, growth, resilience, and responsibility across generations.

Kumu Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier grounded the day in Hawaiian culture and composed an original oli, E Ulu Ē, for the conference. She taught participants the oli at the beginning of the day, calling upon them to grow in aloha, ʻoluʻolu (kindness), and mālama (caring) so that ʻohana may thrive. 

Keynote speaker Tracie Ann Tjapkes, Executive Coach with Growing People and the first Director of Organizational Resiliency for the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine, led a session on self-compassion and the inner narratives that shape how people respond to challenges. Through a self-assessment and discussion, participants explored awareness, presence, common humanity, and self-kindness along with practical ways to apply these ideas in their professional roles and personal lives. 

“Throughout the day, attendees discovered ways to care for themselves that honor who they are and the people they serve at work and home.  Many shared new insights and heartfelt reflections that strengthened the sense of community,” Tjapkes said.

The afternoon session, “What Will Help Our Next Generation Thrive? Emerging Voices Panel and Sharing Moʻolelo,” brought younger and newer professionals into an intergenerational conversation about Hawaiʻi’s helping professions. Panelists shared personal experiences before participants discussed the same questions: What traditions and values should be protected? What practices need to change? How can today’s providers prepare and encourage the next generation?

Asked whether they had met someone new at the conference, nearly every participant raised a hand. Terah Summers, Maui Community Coordinator at Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi, said: “Since becoming a partner and committee member with the Hoʻoikaika Partnership, I’ve built a wealth of connections and gained access to resources that have helped me better serve in my role. Through these relationships, I’ve been able to provide more mental health trainings and participate in community outreach events with partner organizations. To me, Hoʻoikaika is about recognizing that none of us can do this work alone. We are stronger when we come together as a community with a shared commitment to supporting keiki and ʻohana.”

Co-emcee Malia Davidson-Faleafine guided the afternoon program and closing. Participants formed a large circle around all HP partners, offering Oli Mahalo (a gratitude chant) before everyone chanted E Ulu Ē together. The Oli Mahalo honored the Partnership’s eighteen years of growth, from five founding agencies to a flourishing network of hundreds of dedicated partners and allies.

The conference was offered free of charge thanks to generous funding from Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui, Consuelo Foundation, Hawaiʻi Department of Health and Maui District Health Office with travel assistance from Mokulele Airlines. 

The hurricane warning disrupted travel plans, prompting many last-minute cancellations. Seven Molokaʻi participants and a Hāna participant were unable to travel, while some county employees needed to remain available for emergency response. To extend the learning to those who could not attend and the wider public, conference materials are available for download from the Hoʻoikaika Partnership website.

The Hoʻoikaika Annual Conference 2026 Planning Committee included:

• Co-Chair Edeluisa Baguio-Larena, CEO, Maui Family Support Services, Inc. 
• Co-Chair Bobbie-Jo Moniz-Tadeo, 619 Coordinator/Early Childhood Specialist, Department of Education
• Shelly Brown, Program Clinical Supervisor, Maui Family Support Services, Inc. 
• Tina Kiyabu-Crowell, Quality Assurance Program Specialist, Department of Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division (CAMHD) 
• Cynthia Damo, Family Health Services Supervisor, Maui District Health Office, Hawaiʻi State Department of Health
• Selene LeGare, Assistant Professor, University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
• Deb Marois, HP Coordinator/Principal, Converge Consulting, Research & Training
• Euconfra “Connie” Meekhof, Maui Family Peace Center Program Supervisor, Parents and Children Together
• Shana Orta, Director of Maui Programs, Child & Family Service 
• Terah Summers, Maui Community Coordinator, Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi
• Heidi Taogoshi, RN, Public Health Nursing, Maui District Health Office, Hawaiʻi State Department of Health