E Ulu Ē / Growing Strong Together | Hoʻoikaika Partnership

The annual ʻOhana Fest is a free, family-centered community celebration that brings together keiki, ʻohana, caregivers, and service providers for culturally-grounded learning, connection, and play. Hosted by the Hoʻoikaika Partnership in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, this year’s theme, E Ulu Ē / Growing Strong Together, draws inspiration from the ulu tree, a traditional symbol of nourishment, strong roots, growth, and intergenerational care.

Once abundant in Lāhainā and now returning to the landscape, ulu reflects both cultural continuity and community resilience. Like the ulu tree, our ʻohana becomes stronger when nurtured with care. Together, we cultivate resilience, connection, and a future full of abundance for our keiki.

Participating agencies, community groups, and volunteers create interactive experiences to strengthen family relationships, uplift cultural knowledge, and connect families to supportive services. Families engage with 25-30 local organizations, with the opportunity to learn about available resources and engage in fun activities with a focus on creativity, story, movement, and connection.

This year, we intend to create short videos of each partner agency that can be used to promote their services on social media and websites. This will help extend the reach of partners, helping put a friendly face and name to local organizations and reinforcing the message that everyone needs help sometimes (no shame).

Mayor Bissen will lead a proclamation ceremony for Child Abuse Prevention Month, organized by Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui.

Hosted by Hoʻoikaika Partnership, a coalition dedicated to preventing child maltreatment and strengthening families in Maui County. Through our network of 75+ allied organizations, we ensure coordination and impact across Maui County. Maui Family Support Services, Inc., a 501(c)3, serves as our fiscal agent.