Mana'olana (Hope) - Child & Family Service (CFS) requests continued funding for the Manaʻolana (Hope) Program to provide comprehensive case management, victim assistance services, outreach, and public awareness activities for survivors of labor and sex trafficking on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. The program serves eligible Indigenous and Native Hawaiian individuals and families who are at risk of or impacted by human trafficking through native focused services designed to promote safety, healing, and long-term stability. Since its launch in 2020, the Manaʻolana Program has expanded from serving the Koʻolaupoko region to providing island-wide services across Oʻahu. The program conducts regular street outreach in encampments, shelters, beach parks, and other areas where vulnerable individuals may be present. Staff provide immediate survival support including food, water, hygiene supplies, transportation assistance, shelter referrals, and connections to medical and behavioral health services. Through consistent outreach and relationship-building, the program works to reduce barriers to care and increase trust among victims and survivors who may be reluctant to seek assistance. Program participants receive individualized case management services that may include healthcare coordination, housing referrals, public benefits enrollment, employment assistance, educational support, transportation, and basic needs assistance. Participants also engage in wellness and cultural healing activities that support emotional recovery, peer connection, and community reintegration. Activities may include nature-based outings, community education, grounding exercises, and opportunities to reconnect with Indigenous traditions and practices. The program works closely with community organizations, shelters, healthcare providers, schools, and Indigenous-serving agencies to strengthen referral pathways, increase public awareness of human trafficking, and improve access to culturally appropriate services. Manaʻolana also partners with Islands of Hope Dream Center to support participants residing in safe housing environments. During the 2026–2027 funding period, CFS will continue implementing outreach and victim assistance services while utilizing findings from an approved community needs assessment to identify service gaps and improve program delivery across Oʻahu. The program will also continue strengthening partnerships and increasing awareness efforts to improve identification of trafficking victims and connect survivors to support services earlier. The Manaʻolana Program aims to increase participant enrollment, expand community education efforts, and improve coordination of care for survivors of human trafficking while promoting healing, safety, and self-sufficiency for vulnerable individuals and families across Oʻahu.
