The “Movers and Shakas” program was founded in response to the challenges Hawaiʻi faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly when travel restrictions highlighted the state’s dependency on tourism and underscored the need to diversify its economy. As a non-profit organization, Movers and Shakas is dedicated to promoting sustainable change by integrating and retaining key talent in Hawaiʻi, particularly by encouraging returning kamaʻāina (Hawaiʻi-born residents) to reconnect, contribute, and stay in the islands. Through place-based, community-oriented programs, Movers and Shakas fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, and community responsibility among participants, blending cultural understanding with impactful service.

One notable aspect of the program is its innovative “give and get” approach, which encourages participants to both contribute to local communities and, in return, gain valuable insights into Hawaiʻi’s pressing social issues. During a recent community service activity, Movers and Shakas participants volunteered at Hale Kipa’s Emergency Shelters in ʻEwa Beach, an organization dedicated to supporting at-risk and unsheltered youth. As part of a beautification project and for material for future lei making, participants planted twenty-three ti and dracaena plants on the campus, enhancing the environment and fostering a sense of pride and care. This act of “giving” time and effort was reciprocated with the opportunity to “get” a deeper understanding of Hawaiʻi’s significant unsheltered youth crisis.

Hawaiʻi’s unsheltered youth issue is among the most severe in the nation, with the state recording one of the highest rates of youth homelessness in the United States. In 2023 alone, around 35,000 unaccompanied youth under the age of 25 experienced homelessness in Hawaiʻi on a single night—a staggering statistic that highlights the critical need for local support systems and resources. Through programs like Movers and Shakas, participants gain exposure to these realities and are motivated to take active roles in addressing them, fostering a shared commitment to uplift vulnerable populations.

Hale Kipa’s Chief Program Officer, Ron Musch, recalls his time with Movers and Shakas:  “For me, moving to Hawaiʻi was a long-term decision. My mom served in Pearl Harbor during WWII as a naval nurse; moving here felt in some ways like I’d come home. But I was unsure how to navigate this new place and people. Movers and Shakas helped me discover the rich culture and history of the Hawaiian people. Especially how to live, work, and connect with the diverse community in Hawaiʻi. As Hale Kipa’s Chief Program Officer, I’m much better equipped to give the honor and respect the people and land deserve as I serve in the community.”

Hale Kipa’s mission deeply moved participants, and some have already taken action for additional volunteer time and contributing.

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Mahalo nui Venus Rosete-Medeiros and Tracy Janowicz of Hale Kipa, and Nicole Lim of Movers and Shakas, for making this event at Hale Kipa possible. Photos courtesy of Movers and Shakas.