Ho`o Ma`a (to experience), a program providing learning opportunities,
experiential activities, and outreach counseling for youth referred by the judiciary.

The Ho`o Ma`a Program (to experience), Marimed's Outdoor Experience Program, is intended as an intermediate length program with youth participating in four months of after school tutorial, youth leadership, development, counseling, family education activities.

The after school programming is designed to promote learning and personal growth in a safe and nurturing environment. The design will provide a degree of structure with an intensity of mental and physical activity that makes the program viable for youth who need additional assistance in traditional educational setting.

The program will place heavy emphasis on activities on and around the ocean, yielding a unique psycho-educational milieu to youth in a minimal restrictive environment. All experiential activities are modeled around Marimed's core values of C.H.A.R.T (Community, Honesty, Aloha, Respect, and Teamwork). These values, unique to all Marimed youth development programs, form the successful experiential approach to reaching and teaching youth, utilizing a clear organizational culture built around ocean voyaging.

WE SERVE

The Ho`o Ma`a Program serves males and females from O`ahu, ages 14-17, referred by the Judiciary or other appropriate agencies. These youth have been identified as needing additional assistance to be successful in community settings. Participants may include law violators, status offenders, and/or court ordered youth.

ENROLLMENT

All youth must undergo a brief assessment, prior to acceptance to the program. Additionally, youth must:

• Agree to sign the program rules
• Be able to swim
• Not be actively suicidal or homicidal
• Not be in acute withdrawal of addictive substances
• Not be on behavioral medications (unless prior program approval or doctor's clearance has been attained)

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

After school tutoring and educational programs are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The staff will provide tutoring services and educational programs, counseling, and life skills classes. During the week youth will also be involved in preparing for upcoming experiential voyages and outdoor activities. One-on-one tutoring or counseling is available as needed.

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

Family involvement is crucial in the transformation of youth in the Ho`o Ma`a Program. Families will be included through weekly telephone contact, visits, and participation in on-site activities. Additional support will be provided to families through group discussions and educational forums. These groups will help enhance their parenting skills and encourage their participation in Ho`o Ma`a activities. Family sessions will help facilitate and emphasize the need for youth and their parents to resolve underlying issues and conflicts.

EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES

Program youth will have many opportunities to participate in land and ocean based outdoor experiential activities, which help develop life skills and promote self-esteem, self-confidence, teamwork, and relationship skills. The four month program includes two 3-day voyages, camping, hiking, paddling, geocaching, fishing, small boat sailing, and a low ropes course. Youth will be actively involved with the voyaging staff in planning and designing their trips and voyages.

Once a month and on every voyage, youth will participate in service learning projects in the community. Projects may include fishpond restoration, beach clean-ups, working lo`i, and other hands-on activities.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES...

• Work to interrupt unsuccessful patterns by empowering youth through challenges, structured curriculum, and new skills for future success.
• Is valuable in helping youth develop their capacity for trust, communication, problem-solving, and taking responsibility for their own behaviors.
• Promote teamwork through increased positive socialization, relationship-building, and coping skills.
• Provide fun and exciting activities that promote personal growth, self-discovery, and increased confidence.
• Build positive attitudes towards school, parents, adults, peers, and authority figures.
• Promote a stewardship of the "aina" and Hawai`i's connection to the ocean.

SERVICES PROVIDED

• 4-month schedule for males and females
• Education/Tutoring facility (T,W,TH)
• Two 3-day outdoor "Land Voyages"
• Family participation and involvement
• Service learning projects in the community

For Services or Information on Marimed's Ho`o Ma`a Program, please contact us at:

Phone: 808.236.2288 extension 224
Email: info@Marimed.org

Marimed Foundation is a member of the American Sail Training Association, Hawai`i Youth Service Network, Community Works in 96744, and the Hawai`i Chamber of Commerce. Our programs are accredited by the Council of Accreditation.