Ho'opono Services for the Blind- HI GOV

05/02/2026

May 1 in Hawaii is a significant day to celebrate Lei Day. Today is also a day to remember for the blind community in Hawaii thanks in part to the hard work that James Gashel has put in on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii along with the Hawaii State Department of Education's Exceptional Support Branch in finally getting HB1894, Hawaii Braille Literacy Act passed. Having the support of House Education Chair Woodson after getting so close last year to push this through the finish line.

We all know how important Braille is and individuals who are blind that are proficient users of Braille are more likely to be employed. This Act now requires the DOE to include Braille and provision of braille instructional materials under certain circumstances and provide Braille literary support services.

You can view the passing of this on the link below starting at 14 minute mark.

Room 229 Conference PM - 05-01-2026

03/03/2026

Blind Vendors Ohana, Inc. operates 10 vending facilities at the Daniel K Inouye International Airport. You might remember visiting one of their stores known as Pages and Pages. They sell various items, primarily bottled beverages and prepackaged snacks to the traveling public.

Check out this video that shows how they are providing employment opportunities to individuals with a disability.

At 22 years old, Mara Onichu has built a life defined by independence.Born in Chuuk and raised in Guam, Mara lost her sight at age three after being diagnose...

03/03/2026

Late Congratulations to our friend and colleague at the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, Matthew Brown, Managing Librarian who was the recipient of the 2025 Hawaii State Public Library System’s Librarian of the Year. Matt has done a great job since starting at LBPD to make the blind and low vision library patrons feel welcomed at their home library.

Extraordinary dedication. Humble leadership. Tireless outreach. Exemplary service. Trusted and beloved librarian. These accolades only begin to describe Matthew Brown, recipient of the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Public Library System’s Librarian of the Year Award. He was honored on February 18, 2026, at ...

02/03/2026

Late post…Congratulations to our friends at the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled for celebrating the anniversary of Louis Braille’s Birthday last week Friday! Great event, great turnout and and most of all great people.

01/16/2026

Yes check out this cafeteria at the Federal building which works in partnership with our blind vendor Jessica!

11/22/2025

Today staff from Leong Family Dental presented at our monthly Support Group Meeting on dental tips and oral hygiene. I think the group including me learned so much from their presentation. Did you know that the best order is flossing, water pick, brushing and mouthwash? Also, suggested brushing time is 2 minutes!?

Mahalo Dr. Leong and Hygienist Cathy and Cindy for taking time out of your busy schedule!

10/31/2025

Always a blessing to have our neighbors Hawaii Baptist Academy come to visit us for their annual Community Day.

10/30/2025

The new blind vendor, Jessica will be opening her Revive Snack Shop location at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building on Punchbowl Street. Also, the longtime cafeteria operator in the building, Prince Kuhio Cafe, will be retiring tomorrow and Lanakila Pacific will be taking over operations. The snackshop will open on Monday November 3 and cafeteria on Wednesday November 5.

If you're in the area, check it out! Attached are the flyers for more information...

10/21/2025

What a great turnout for our 33rd Annual White Cane Walk and first ever Resource Fair last week Friday, October 15, 2025 at the State Capitol Rotunda. This was the first time that we actually ran out of shirts for walk participants. My apologies!

There are so many people and groups I would like to personally thank that contributed to the success...
First I would like to thank Office of the Governor of Hawai‘i Josh Green for proclaiming October 17 White Cane Safety Day as well as our DHS Director Ryan Yamane and DVR Administrator Lea Dias for their support of our program and all we do for the blind and low vision community in Hawaii. Senator Joy San Buenaventura, Representative Lisa Marten, Representative Jenna Takenouchi, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam for participating and speaking at our pre-walk festivities. The staff at Ho'opono Services for the Blind- HI GOV for the prep, setup, cleanup and all the other tasks.

Congratulation and Mahalo to Jayzen for winning our WCW T-Shirt contest. His shirt design, Never Back Down, was a great motto for all walk participants to live by. He received a Amazon GC for his design was on the front of the black t-shirt worn by everyone walking through downtown Honolulu. Hawaii News Now provided media coverage of the event which you can see at https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/10/18/never-back-down-student-shares-inspirational-message-walk-blind-visually-impaired/

Mahalo to our blind vendors who provided drinks and snacks for the walk...Ivy and Don along with Emily at bitesandbev at the State Capitol for ordering our food. Chris at PepsiCo Hawaii for donating Aquafina water. Lanakila Pacific for always printing our walk t-shirts and bringing your staff and participants to support our walk.

Mahalo to Honolulu Police Department (Official Site) Interim Chief Rade Vanic and Officers from District 1 Community Team for participating in our walk and assisting with our walkers at the lighted intersections. Hawai'i Public Schools Teachers for the Visually Impaired, Oahu Transit Services, Inc., Hawaii Association of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii for supporting our walk.

And our Resource Fair Vendors... State of Hawaii, Office of Elections, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii State Department of Health Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB), Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, National Federation of the Blind, Travel Visions Aloha For The Blind, Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii (ATRC), Comprehensive Service Center for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind, Blind Vendors Ohana, Inc., Guide Dogs of Hawai'i. Mahalo for taking time out of your busy schedule to provide information to our walk participants.

Looking forward to our walk in 2026!

10/10/2025

One week until the 33rd Oahu White Cane Walk at the State Capitol Rotunda. Friday October 17, 10am. This year’s shirt was designed by a DOE student. It’ll be great time celebrating the white cane and its significance for a blind individual.

10/10/2025

Yesterday was the grand opening for the blind vendor at Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki. This might be one of the only Randolph-Sheppard vending facilities in the country that’s located in a hotel. If you’re in the area go check it Brad’s store right below the lobby.