Neighborhood Place of Puna

07/30/2026

We're still smiling from an unforgettable day!

Here are just a few of our favorite moments from Stuff Da Bus! From smiling keiki and amazing volunteers to community partners, giveaways, and lots of aloha, our hearts are so full.

Mahalo to everyone who joined us, supported us, volunteered, donated, and helped make our very first Stuff Da Bus such an incredible success.

Because of you, hundreds of local keiki are heading back to school feeling prepared, confident, and supported.

If you or someone you know are in need of services, please call or text (808) 501-1413 to get connected with a friendly Community Resource Navigator

07/28/2026

Last week, we kicked off our very first Community Garden Day at Puna ʻŌpio Hub 🌱

We loved seeing young people come together to dig in, get their hands dirty, and help bring this shared space to life.

Whether you have a green thumb or have never touched a gardening tool before, we’d love to have you join us!

🌿 Community Garden Day
🗓️ Every Wednesday | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Puna ʻŌpio Hub
Connection Point Church of the Nazarene
15-1839 32nd Ave, Keaʻau, HI 96749

Stop by anytime during the day! There’s no need to stay the whole time.

We’ll have gloves and tools available, and everyone is welcome, including transition-age youth (ages 14–25), Neighborhood Place of Puna participants, community partners, families, friends, and neighbors.

Tag someone who would love to join us this Wednesday, and we’ll see you in the garden! 🌻💙

07/27/2026

Neighborhood Place of Puna is excited to host another Hiring Circle employment readiness workshop at the Puna ʻŌpio Hub, designed for youth and young adults ages 14–25!

This interactive workshop provides participants with the opportunity to:
- Practice answering common interview questions
- Strengthen communication and interview skills
- Receive constructive feedback in a supportive environment
- Build the confidence needed to pursue future employment opportunities

📅 Friday, July 31, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Puna ʻŌpio Hub, 15-1839 32nd Ave., Keaʻau, HI 96749

If you're a community partner, educator, employer, or service provider who works with youth, we invite you to help spread the word. We are committed to ensuring more young people have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up, and please share this opportunity with youth and families in your network.

07/25/2026

Growing up isn’t always easy.

For some young people, they’re also navigating housing instability, financial stress, or taking on responsibilities most adults would find overwhelming.

That’s why we’re here — to meet youth where they are with free, strength-based support, caring staff, and a safe place to turn when they need it most.

From January through June 2026, our team connected with:
- 100 youth ages 14–25
- 75 youth households
- 93 services provided through case management, drop-in support, and street outreach
- 39 young people who were already heads of their own households

Know a young person who could use a little extra support? We’d love to connect with them. Call or text (808) 501-1413 to get connected with a Community Resource Navigator!

07/21/2026

Our hearts are so full after Neighborhood Place of Puna’s first annual Stuff Da Bus 🚌 🎒 ✏️📓

Because of our amazing community partners, 700 backpacks were reserved ahead of the event, and more than 500 backpacks were distributed on event day, helping hundreds of local keiki start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

Mahalo to our incredible sponsors and community partners whose generosity helped make Stuff Da Bus possible:
Kama'aina Nissan, Inc.

Executive Office on Early Learning

Waiakea

Creative Arts Hawaii



Zonta Club of Hilo
UnitedHealthcare
Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles
- Tractor Supply Hilo

Mahalo to our community resource partners for connecting families with valuable programs and services:


Hawaiian Electric

Catholic Charities Hawaii
County of Hawai‘i

Mahalo to our amazing food vendors for keeping everyone fueled throughout the day:


Hawaiian Street Dogs

And to every volunteer who helped stuff backpacks, set up in the early morning hours, greeted families, distributed supplies, directed traffic, packed up at the end of the day, or simply stepped in wherever help was needed — mahalo. We truly couldn’t have done this without you.

Send a message to learn more

07/21/2026

The Puna ʻŌpio Hub Community Garden is officially taking root, and you’re invited to be part of it! 🌱

Every Wednesday from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, we’re opening our garden to transition-age youth (ages 14–25), community partners, and anyone who wants to lend a hand.

Bring your ʻohana, friends, neighbors, or come on your own — everyone is welcome!

Whether you’re hoping to learn new gardening skills, meet new people, give back to your community, earn volunteer hours, spend time outdoors, or help create something meaningful, there’s a place for you in our garden.

Drop in anytime during the day that fits your schedule. There’s no need to stay the entire time.

We’ll have gloves and gardening tools available, but you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer.

📍 Puna ʻŌpio Hub
Connection Point Church of the Nazarene
15-1839 32nd Ave, Keaʻau, HI 96749

At the Puna ʻŌpio Hub, we’re cultivating connections, life skills, and a stronger community, one seed at a time. 🌱

Tag a friend you’d like to take gardening, share this post, and help us spread the word!

https://neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/puna-opio-hub/

07/20/2026

Mahalo BigIslandNow.com for the feature on our newest program, the Puna ʻŌpio Hub!

The Puna ʻŌpio Hub is a youth-centered resource and workforce development program created to help young people ages 14–25 in Lower Puna build the skills, confidence, and connections needed to thrive.

Visit us!

📍15-1839 32nd Ave, Keaau, HI 96749

⏰Monday: 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

The Neighborhood Place of Puna has opened the Puna ʻŌpio Hub for youth and young adults, ages 14-25, as they explore employment and educational pathways that may seem inaccessible.

07/18/2026

Join us this Sunday! 🎒🚌 ✏️

We can’t wait to celebrate with all of you at Neighborhood Place of Puna’s first annual Stuff Da Bus!

While pre-registered backpacks have all been claimed, Kama'aina Nissan, Inc. and Kamaʻāina Motors will also be hosting additional backpack and school supply giveaways while supplies last!

Bring the whole ʻohana and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon featuring:

- Free backpack & school supply giveaway
- Clothing Closet
- Community resource partners
- Local food vendors
- Family-friendly activities & bounce house
- Keiki ID services
- Prize giveaways & more!

Come hungry and support our local food vendors:
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- Aunty Sissy’s Sweet Treats
- Hawaiian Street Dogs

🗓️ Sunday, July 19 | 12:00–4:00 PM
📍 Shipman Park, Keaʻau

There’s something for everyone, whether you’re coming for the activities, community resources, great food, giveaways, or simply to be part of something meaningful.

A heartfelt mahalo to the incredible businesses, organizations, sponsors, and donors who made this event possible:

💙
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💙 Kamaʻāina Motors
💙 Kamaʻāina Nissan
💙 Tractor Supply Hilo
💙 Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles
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💙 Executive Office on Early Learning
💙 Zonta Club of Hilo
💙 Creative Arts Hawaii
💙 Jarneski Party Rentals
💙 Waiakea
💙

Your generosity will help hundreds of local keiki start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and supported.

Tag your friends, bring the whole ʻohana, and we’ll see you Sunday! 🚌

07/16/2026

Did you know 90% of a child’s brain develops before age 5?

Those first five years lay the foundation for lifelong learning, healthy development, and family well-being.

🎙️ In the newest episode of Community in Conversation, our Executive Director Billi-Jo Pike sits down with Allison Hanley from the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) to talk about why early childhood education matters, how it helps reduce barriers for families, and why investing in our youngest keiki strengthens our entire community.

You’ll also learn about First5Hawaii.org — a free, one-stop resource that helps families with children from pregnancy through age 5 find parenting resources, child development information, family-friendly activities, and even check their eligibility for programs like SNAP, WIC, preschool, housing support, and more.

💙 A huge mahalo to EOEL for donating 700+ backpacks to support our upcoming Stuff Da Bus event! Their partnership will help hundreds of local keiki head back to school with the supplies they need to start the year with confidence.

🎒 Join us this Sunday, July 19, from 12-4pm at Herbert Shipman Park in Keaʻau for Stuff Da Bus!

Even though backpack registration is full, everyone is welcome!

Come enjoy free family-friendly activities, connect with community resources, visit local vendors, enjoy delicious food, and enter to win raffle prizes.

🎧 Tune in to the full podcast, then come celebrate with us at Stuff Da Bus! https://rss.com/podcasts/community-in-conversation/2986903