Aloha e nā ʻohana,
Ke hāʻawi aku nei i ke aloha i nā ʻohana Pūnana Leo.
I hope you and your ʻohana are doing well and remain safe and healthy. Mahalo for your patience and understanding as we continue to make the necessary adjustments as the COVID-19 global pandemic progresses. We appreciate our haumāna, ʻohana, kumu, and limahana for their positivity, flexibility, and resilience during these trying times.
We would like to take this opportunity to provide you with a few updates. The ʻAha Punana Leo has fortunately received federal stimulus support that encourages and assists employers in re-engaging their staff for an eight-week period (Paycheck Protection Program, SBA loan). This much needed resource has allowed us to initiate our rehiring plans. We have extended offers and have started to bring our kumu and limahana back to work. In addition, we are actively seeking supplemental grant funding to extend beyond the eight-week period.
While our kumu and limahana continue to provide distance learning, we will also begin a regimented staff training in preparation for the new school year. Our limahana will focus on producing curriculum and redesigning our kula operations to ensure the necessary safety measures and protocols are in place when our haumāna return to school sites. We are in contact with the Department of Human Services and will receive additional guidance for required and recommended safety practices for child care providers. Please feel assured that the safety of your keiki is our top priority.
Finally, we are pleased to let you know that you will be receiving māpoho for your keiki, māmā a me pāpā. This was made possible through the tremendous support from our community partner Kealopiko. We are extremely grateful to them for their generosity and support. He makana aloha iā ʻoukou mai nā hoa o Kealopiko, he leo aloha a mahalo pū kēia iā Kealopiko mā no ia ʻano alu a kākoʻo mau ʻana mai.
Mahalo nui i ka hoʻomanawanui a hoʻolana manaʻo mau ʻoiai kēia wā ʻokoʻa loa o ka nohona. Me ke alu like mau e holomua ai.
Aloha,
na Kaʻiulani Laehā
ʻAha Pūnana Leo, Luna Hoʻokele