Kids First – Children First – Children in Transition

Kids First is an education program for families going through divorce. It is designed to help parents understand the effects of separation and divorce on their children and to help parents and children cope with the changes in their families. Kids First needs caring and reliable people to facilitate children’s groups. Volunteers provide the children and teens with the opportunity to express their feelings about the separation through participating in games, role playing, and doing mock trials in the courtroom. Facilitators must be good communicators, have experience working with children (ages 6 to 17) and be able to volunteer for two (2) hours during one evening each month. If you are interested in becoming a Kids First facilitator, please contact one of the Judiciary employees listed below:

Contact Information

First Circuit (Oahu) Charlene Anaya, Program Coordinator Scheduling/Verification: Amy Harada Honolulu: 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday Kapolei: 2nd and 4th Wednesday 808-954-8280 (main number) KidsFirstHawaii@gmail.com Website: http://www.kidsfirsthawaii.com Address Kids First Program Ronald T.Y. Moon Court Complex 4675 Kapolei Parkway Kapolei, HI 96707

Third Circuit (Hawaii) Aolani Mills, Supervisor 808-322-8726 808-938-1478 (cell) aolani.m.mills@courts.hawaii.gov Kona Jolene Armstrong 949-310-8623 jmwa57@gmail.com 3rd Wednesday Address: Kona Kids First (Children First) West Hawaii Civic Center, County of Hawaii 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Hilo Kapua Sawyer, Coordinator 808-896-6465 kapua.sawyer@yahoo.com Even months: 2nd Tuesday Odd months: 2nd and 4th Tuesday Scheduling/Verification: Marlene Kalua 808-961-7506 marlene.n.kalua@courts.hawaii.gov Address Children in Transition (Hilo) Hale Kaulike 777 Kilauea Ave Hilo, HI 95720

Second Circuit (Maui) Meridith Russel, Administrator Scheduling/Verification: Shantyll DeFrancia-Galeai 2nd Wednesday 808-244-2770 (main number) Address Kids First Program Hoapili Hale 2145 Main Street #226 Wailuku, HI 96793

Fifth Circuit (Kauai) Special Services Verification 808-482-2570 (main number) Scheduling: Legal Documents Branch 2nd Wednesday 808-482-2330 Address Kids First Program 3970 Ka’ana St. #305 Lihue, HI 96766-1283

Project Visitation

Project Visitation is a volunteer-based program that helps to maintain the relationship between siblings who are living in separate foster homes by bringing them together for monthly visitations. Social workers refer cases of separated foster siblings to the program. Volunteers usually give 6 to 8 hours a month to schedule visits, transport the siblings, and supervise the visits. For more information, visit the Project Visitation Website or contact:

Family Programs Hawai`i
680 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 200
Honolulu, HI 96813-5409
Phone: 808-521-9531

Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program

Formerly known as the Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem Program, the CASA  Program is comprised of trained volunteers who are appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a child abuse or neglect case in and out of court. CASA volunteers must be at least 20 years old and able to spend between 4 and 25 hours a month – serve as fact-finders, advocates, and monitors for children in need. The Judiciary provides free training and staff support for all volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, please contact the persons listed below.

• O`ahu – Amphay Champathong 808-954-8151
• Hawai`i  (Hilo) – Jamie Bell-Ka`aihue  808-961-7672
• Hawai`i (Kona) -Wendy Opiopio  808-443-2105

• Maui – Kari Wakakuwa  808-244-2729
• Kaua`i – Marilyn Hasegawa  808-482-2350