Shouldn't everybody have a place to belong?
Hoapili is a non-profit organization focused on providing opportunities of inclusion for anyone with special needs, disabilities, neurodiversity, extra-awesomeness... whatever you want to call it!
Hoapili is the Hawaiian word for "best friend".
Have you ever felt like an outsider... like you didn't have a place to fit in?
(We've all experienced that on some level).
Now, imagine what life would be like if you felt that way all the time.
That's the reality for a lot of the neurodiverse population. They commonly aren’t able to fit into the "typical" flow of life and are often overlooked and even forgotten.
Hoapili was not only created to help this population feel included...
Hoapili was created to put them in the spotlight!
It All Started With A Party!
In November of 2018, Hoapili began it's work of providing "belonging activities" for the special needs population of a rural community on the North Shore of O'ahu.
Now, participants come from all over the island.
...And we're just getting warmed up!
Four Ways We're Helping Now
Monthly Game Room Parties
Every month, we book a game room with a bowling alley, video games, ping pong, (and more!) as a way of hanging out with friends.
Regular Sports Clinics
6-week tennis and soccer clinics are scheduled during the year. Other shorter "pop-up" clinics happen from time to time as well.
Seasonal & Special Events
From Christmas caroling hay rides to summertime pool parties, we're always looking for a reason to get together to build a sense of belonging!
Hoapili University: Learning Inclusion
We provide post-high school education opportunities for the special needs population! Watch this video to see how lives are changing!
Join The Fun At An Upcoming Event!
Please check this page from time to time as new events are scheduled throughout the year.
Upcoming Game Room Dates
Hoapili game nights are hosted at "The Hub" on the campus of BYU Hawaii. Join us for bowling, video games, pool, ping pong, pizza, fun and friendship!
Events are specifically offered for individuals with special needs. (All ages are welcome). Parents or a caretaker are asked to attend.
There is no fee to participate and food is provided.
Venue Address:
55-220 Kulanui St.
Laie, HI 96762
Upcoming Event Dates:
- February 18, 2025
- March 18, 2025
- April 15, 2025
- May 20, 2025
- June 17, 2025
Time for All Game Night Events:
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Please contact us if you have questions!
Annual Clinic with the Kahuku High School Red Raider Football Team
Every fall, Kahuku High School Head Football Coach, Sterling Carvalho, and his coaching staff along with the State Champion Kahuku HS Football Team host a football clinic with Hoapili.
The event traditionally takes place in November during a bye week during the High School football season at Kahuku High School.
While this year's clinic date is still TBD, you can watch this video from local news coverage from a past clinic to understand more about the event.
For more information, please contact us below.
Spring and Fall Soccer Clinics
Do you know an individual with special needs or neurodiversity who would have difficulty participating in a traditional sports setting? If so...
Hoapili is the team to join!
Many of our coaches are college students who volunteer their time to help participants work on soccer and coordination skills. They are also trained to be aware that sometimes our participants just want to throw the ball (instead of kick it), or run around the park, or climb a tree, or listen to music on their headphones.
Guess what? That's all soccer here. :)
When you're with Hoapili, belonging is the highest form of winning, and we do it together!
Registration: Free
Location:
Mālaekahana State Recreation Area
56-020 Kamehameha Hwy
Laie, HI 96763
Upcoming Clinic Dates:
- TBA
Time for All Dates:
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Additional Details:
While walk-ins are very welcome, we do encourage participants' parents or caregivers to contact us to register their player(s) in advance.
Like any proper soccer team, our players receive team jerseys! To provide those, we need to know what shirt sizes to order before the clinic begins (whenever possible).
Registration also helps us ensure that we have an appropriate number of coaches available to help.
There is no registration fee required to participate and all ages are welcome. Please contact us to register.
Hoapili is a non-profit organization working to provide more opportunities to individuals with extra challenges in their lives. As such, our events are provided at no cost for our amazing participants.
We rely on grants and charitable donations to grow this work. Please contact us if you are aware of available funding opportunities, or if you would like to contribute financially.
Hoapili, Inc. is officially recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
Hoapili University
Shouldn't everybody have the opportunity for continued learning after high-school?
We say, "YES!"
But, unfortunately, those opportunities are usually limited to the neuro-typical population, and that's just not right... so we're creating CHANGE!
Most high-school students have the option of pursuing additional education after graduation.
That's not usually true for individuals with special needs, though many of them DREAM about having ongoing learning opportunities - just like everybody else.
Hoapili University was created to fill this gap.
The program was officially launched during the Fall Semester - September of 2024, and it continues today.
Just like their neuro-typical peers...
- Participants fill out a (simplified) college application
- Receive an acceptance letter in the mail
- Wear official school "swag"
- And attend classes on an actual college campus
If you have a student interested in participating, please contact us below.
Winter Semester 2025 Class Schedule:
Mondays:
- 11 am - Social Skills
- Lunch group with various student clubs from a local college
- 12 pm - S.T.E.A.M.
- Instructor: Rose Lopez
- 1 pm - Hula
- Instructor: Usolelei Tagoai
Wednesdays:
- 12 pm - Baking
- Instructor: Sydney Parkinson
- 1 pm - Art
- Instructor: Sydney Parkinson
Thursdays:
- 4 pm - Health & Wellness
- Instructor: Kate McLellan, Ph.D.
- 7 pm - Religion Classes
- Instructor: Pete Meyers
Fridays:
- 11 am - Teach the Teachers
- Instructor: Jerusha Magalei, PhD
- 12 pm - Hero's Journey
- Instructor: Kori Lopez, PhD
- 1 pm - Hula
- Instructor: Usolelei Tagoai
If you feel inspired by our mission and would like to support us financially, please know that Hoapili, Inc. is officially recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) organization.
As such, donations are tax-deductible.
Contact Us!
Please reach out for any of the following:
- Information/Participation in upcoming events
- Hoapili University
- Volunteer opportunities
- Collaboration ideas for future activities, clinics, or special events
- Donations and/or funding opportunities
- Media inquiries
- General questions
Primary Contact:
Terra Daniel
President, Hoapili, Inc.
(801) 647-1313 (call or text)
[email protected]
Mailing Address:
Hoapili, Inc.
57-101 Kuilima Dr. #67
Kahuku, HI 96731
