Prison Re-entry Program
The Prison Re-entry Program is a 7-year collaboration between the Native Hawaiian Church (sponsored by the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center) and Ke Ola Mamo. It intends to help Native Hawaiian men - exiting incarceration - transition back into the community. When considering the large population of those incarcerated throughout the State of Hawaii, surprisingly, 35-40% are Native Hawaiian (per recent data). Of this percentage, 15-20 Native
Ke Ola Mamo’s role in this Program is to recruit CHWs (Community Health Workers), faith-based organizations, and other non-profits to volunteer their time to meet, greet, and welcome these men outside the front gate at the Halawa Correctional Facility, Waiawa Correctional Facility, and the Oahu Community Correctional Facility.
When these men exit the facility, they are not only met with warmth and aloha, but they are also presented with a backpack filled with hygiene, food, and other personal essentials to start their first day out of incarceration on a new pathway toward success.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Kent Kaahanui at kkaahanui@keolamamo.org
Ho'ike
Ke Ola Mamo's Cultural Workshops provide a unique 25-week program that integrates Native Hawaiian traditions with personal well-being. Participants engage in practices like hula, which combines physical fitness with cultural expression, and oli, the chanting of ancestral prayers and legends that fosters a deeper connection to ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. The program also includes Hawaiian language lessons, offering both an intellectual challenge and a means to embrace Hawaiian values and worldview. Structured around five interconnected curriculums, the program culminates in an end-of-year showcase, celebrating participants' growth and cultural immersion.
Kū Ola Kāne
Started under the guidance of Kauka Kekuni Blaisdell, Kū Ola Kāne is committed to improving the health and well-being of Native Hawaiian kāne living in Hawaiʻi.
In partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and Ke Ola Mamo, we holomua (move forward) with community health kūkākūkā (discussions) that enrich kāne experiences with health services and healthier choices. We need our kāne to be present to positively influence ʻohana, community, and lāhui.
Please check out the Kū Ola Kāne website at kuola.org to learn more.
Ulu ā Ulu
In each 12-week cohort, participants come together to learn directly from a fitness trainer, registered dietitian, and a team of behavioral health specialists. Evolving from our previous fitness program, "Hoʻoikaika" (meaning "to make strong" or "body building exercise"), Ulu ā Ulu now offers a more holistic approach that encompasses not only physical health but also mental and spiritual well-being.
Translated as "Growth creates more growth," Ulu ā Ulu reflects our mission to equip participants with the tools to cultivate personal health and well-being while empowering them to share their knowledge with family, friends, and the broader community. The phrase also means "Always growing," emphasizing that health and wellness is an ongoing journey. The program consists of three key components: "Hoʻoikaika" for fitness, "ʻAi Pono" for nutrition, and "Hui Kākoʻo" for behavioral health and support groups, providing a foundation for long-term healthy living.
if you’d like to participate, fill out our inquiry form.
Annual Baby Shower
Available to hāpai mothers and new mothers with children under three months old, the Ke Ola Mamo annual baby shower provides a safe and warm place for new mama to be celebrated. Providing ono food, giveaways, resources, and an opportunity to build community, this event honors the power of ‘ohana in all it’s shapes and forms.
Plans for our 2025 Baby Shower are currently underway. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, volunteering, or providing donations, please contact Eugenie Naone at enaone@keolamamo.org