It Takes An `Ohana’s Advisory Committee and Oahu resource caregivers are excited to thank the most recent DHS staff to be awarded the Kaukini Award for going above and beyond in helping resource families and those they care for. Audrey Lariosa, SSA IV aide, makes it her priority to meet the needs of the resource families. If asked about something she is not sure about, she takes the initiative to find the answer and gets that information to the families ASAP. This has helped the families in many ways. When asked for a referral for a therapist for a foster child, she will set up the appointment. When a referral is needed for a program, she makes sure the application gets filled out, signed and submitted in time for kids to participate in the program/activity. For special occasions and holidays, she is somehow able to find extra gifts for the children and, best of all, she makes sure that they get what they asked for.
Another awardee is social worker Alisa Imakyure. Alisa has been called “one-of-a-kind” by several families. One of her many positive attributes is her listening skills. One family described a foster youth who was in depression and what a big difference it made to that youth to have a supportive worker who listened to her needs. She gives youth her cell phone number so they can text her to ask for help or for clarification. She has asked for a Youth Circle for a youth turning 18. She also secured a cell phone for a year for a youth whose family lived on the mainland so the youth could stay in touch until she was able to move. If she has children in a home where the resource caregivers cannot take the children to an event, she and her husband will transport the children to and from, even on weekends!
Both Audrey and Alisa go above and beyond of what is expected, making it possible for families to bring better outcomes to the children and youth in their care. We send a big mahalo to these great partners on the child welfare team!
HISTORY OF KAUKINI AWARD
The ITAO Advisory Committee created the Kaukini Award in 2013 to honor DHS staff that goes above and beyond in accessibility, advocacy, commitment and dedication to bring about positive outcomes for children and families affected by child welfare.
The name of this award comes from the chant “‘Ike iā Kaukini he Lawai‘a Manu.” Kaukini was a legendary bird catcher of Waipi‘o Valley. He and his wife Pōkahi were chosen by the gods to become the adoptive parents of the infant girl Lauka‘ie‘ie who would, in time, became one of the guardian goddesses of hula. Their devotion to the girl has become symbolic of dedicated, selfless service to a person or ideal of great value; to serve in this manner was their one desire, their greatest burden, and their greatest delight ~ all rolled up in one. Such service can be characterized as “luhi” (laborious…to care for and attend with affection; a child raised with devoted care): it can be exhausting, but it is always inspired and rejuvenated by love, and it is always its own best reward. The chant calls on us to see, know, and understand these parents and to follow their lead by identifying and serving our own “luhi” with the same determined, joyful purpose.
We are SO thankful for the love, time and energy the following Awardees of the Kaukini Award give to the world.
- Dina Koyanagi, O‘ahu Child Welfare Services Unit 1
- Deborah Yoshizumi, O‘ahu Child Welfare Services Unit 1
- Nora Kaaua, East Hawai‘i Child Welfare Services Unit 1
- Korin Wakuta-Kenney, Kauai West Child Welfare Services Unit 3
- Anne Fitzpatrick, Maui East Child Welfare Services Unit 1
- Sandra Davenport, West Hawai‘i Child Welfare Services Licensing Unit
- Janelle Naone, Oahu’s Resource Home Licensing Unit
- Puafisi Tupola, East Oahu’s Child Welfare Services Unit 1
- Dianne Pana, Oahu Special Services Unit
- Marcia Ota, Kauai Child Welfare Services Section
- Maria Jiminez, East Hawaii CWS Unit 1
- Lori Kanaehol, Oahu Special Services Unit 2
- Alisa Imakyure, Oahu Special Services Unit 2
- Audrey Lariosa, Oahu Special Services Unit 2
Mahalo nui loa to ALL who go above and beyond to help bring out positive outcomes for resource families and foster children!
(Recipients listed in chronological order of winning award.)
