Huakai Mana "Journey toward Power"

The Hū'aka'i Mana project (meaning Journey toward Power), will build on existing prevention and early intervention programs to prevent and reduce the victimization of girls who are vulnerable to sex trafficking. Over 36-months, Ho'ōla Nā Pua (HNP) will target girls ages 18 and below at risk of, or who are victims of, sex trafficking on Oah'u and Hawai'i Island to accomplish the following major objectives: 1) Increase identification and screening for girls under age 18 at risk of, or who are victims of sex trafficking; 2) Conduct outreach through direct contact with girls under age 18 who are potential victims of trafficking and at-risk vulnerable girls by providing clinical group services ; 3) Provide 1-to-1 mentoring services to increase resilience and empower girls under age 18 who are at-high risk or have been trafficked; and 4) Provide psychoeducational and supportive group therapy for caregivers of girls under age 18 who are victims of domestic sex trafficking. HNP will provide trauma-informed, resilience focused clinical group programming specific to commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) as part of Hōkū Group Services at youth care facilities, correctional facilities and shelters on Oah'u and Hawai'i Island that work with girls under 18. Hū'aka'i Mana will increase and broaden HNP’s ability to provide 1-to-1 mentoring through the Starfish Mentoring Program to assist victims in the transition to a healthier more fulfilled lifestyle. HNP will offer Family Support Group sessions for caregivers, with services expanded to Hawai'i Island in Year 2. HNP will provide training to intake staff to increase identification and screening for victims of trafficking at organizations and systems they are most likely to access, including shelters, juvenile correctional facilities and homeless drop in outreach centers. HNP will also attend monthly multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings to ensure trafficking prevention remains a top priority for at-risk youth. By providing outreach services and training in facilities and communities throughout Oah'u and Hawai'i Island, there will be increased likelihood that victims will be properly identified, reducing barriers and enhancing engagement for these victims in supportive and intervention services.