Tax Filing Assistance provided by VITA at the State Capitol: Saturday April 2

VITA will provide tax assistance at the State Capitol on Saturday, April 2.

Anyone interested should contact 724-2436 to make an APPOINTMENT for guaranteed service. At the time you set your appointment, additional details will be given (room #, etc).

 

Those with SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS are required bring the following with them:

– a picture ID (both husband and wife)

– Social Security cards (husband, wife, and ALL dependents)

– Any income related documents (W-2, 1099s, etc)

– Proof of medical insurance and any 1095-A forms

 

While walk-ins are accepted, VITA cannot guarantee providing service to everyone if there’s a large turnout without appointments. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO CALL 724-2436 AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.
 

Connect-A-Vet Resource Fair Held

The following is a press release provided by the Hawai’i State Judiciary:

Hawaii State Judiciary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2016

 

CONNECT-A-VET: FIRST CIRCUIT VETERANS TREATMENT COURT REACHES OUT TO VETERANS IN THE COMMUNITY

HONOLULU, HI- The Veterans Treatment Court of the First Circuit teamed up with community service providers to host the Hawaii State Judiciary’s first “Connect-A-Vet” resource fair, aimed at assisting veterans in the community.  The event provided information on Veterans Treatment Court, offered assistance with completing applications and other documents to help expedite access to veterans’ services.

The service providers who helped make this resource fair possible were: the Army Substance Abuse Program; Veterans Benefits Administration; Veterans to Nurses; Catholic Charities Hawaii; US Army Hawaii-Suicide Prevention Program; Cloudbreak Hawaii; Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); VA Pacific Islands Health Care System; the Salvation Army; Disabled American Veterans; and the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Housing.

“We wanted to provide a one-stop-shop for our veterans to access more information and get assistance with forms, so they can begin receiving many of the benefits they have earned,” said Judge Edward Kubo, Presiding Judge of the First Circuit Veterans Treatment Court.  “I’d like to thank all the service providers and the Veterans Treatment Court team for making today’s resource fair possible.”

U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, U.S. Representative Mark Takai, and the City and County of Honolulu City Council commended the Veterans Treatment Court team for their outstanding outreach to veterans in the community.

“One of the keys to success of the Veterans Treatment Court is getting the veterans the healthcare assistance they need, whether it’s to address service-related injuries, mental health issues, or provide substance abuse treatment,” said Amy Rohlfs, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System Public Affairs Officer.  “That’s why we’re here today.  When our veterans are able to heal physically and mentally, they are able to take on the other challenges in front of them and get back on their feet again.”

Another vital component of First Circuit’s Veterans Treatment Court is the 25 mentors who come alongside each court participant to help support them through the process of recovery. Many of the mentors were at the resource fair today offering their assistance and support to those navigating the various informational booths and assisting individuals interested in the Veterans Treatment Court referral process.

The mission of the Veterans Treatment Court is to enhance public safety by holding veterans accountable for their behavior, while providing a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation.  This comprehensive approach includes access to substance abuse and mental health treatment, and assistance with housing and job training.  For more information, please visit: http://www.courts.state.hi.us/special_projects/veterans_court.html.

CNHA 16 for 2016 Initiative

The following is a press release from the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement:

Local Non-Profit Engaging Hawaii Youth to VOTE!

Kapolei, HI – The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is encouraging youth serving organizations to participate in its 16 for 2016 youth voter initiative.  Last year, CNHA launched the 16 for 2016 Initiative, focused specifically on youth civic engagement and voter registration targeting 16-24 year olds.  Launched by students from Kapolei High School at the 14^th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention, the goal of the initiative is to develop partnerships with local high schools, college campuses and youth serving organizations to increase voter turnout among young adults in 2016.  Additionally, the initiative aims to continue on-going outreach to students who are eligible by Hawaii state law to register to vote at the age of sixteen.

The State of Hawaii has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country based on its voting age population and the number of citizens registered to vote.  Among Native Hawaiians, general disengagement by our communities results in even lower rates than the general populace.  In 2004, CNHA started its work around voter awareness that later grew into voter registration efforts.  In 2014, CNHA joined forces with No Vote No Grumble and adopted a program priority to increase participation by community-based organizations (CBOs) to support a statewide field plan around civic engagement that includes voter registration, GOTV efforts, voter education, and training.  The strategy has grown to be more comprehensive with a focus on increasing the overall participation in democracy by Native Hawaiians.  In 2016, CNHA will continue its work with additional outreach focused on Native Hawaiian youth.

“Youth civic engagement leads to reduced risky behavior, increased success in school and greater civic participation later in life,” said Michelle Kauhane, CNHA President & CEO.  “Our goal is to inspire young adults throughout Hawaii to get involved, engage in their communities and vote!  It’s a right that too many take for granted”, added Kauhane.

According to CNHA, there are a number of factors that directly relate to an individual’s participation or non-participation in the democratic process.  However, civic skills, habits and motivations of young adults often result from opportunities for engagement during childhood and adolescence. The 16 for 2016 Initiative will provide young adults with an early introduction to civic engagement to establish voting as an important right and responsibility.

CNHA is looking to engage as many community partners as possible to support the 16 for 2016 Initiative.  For more information on 16 for 2016 or to schedule a training/informational session on the initiative, please email policy@hawaiiancouncil.org

The policy center at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement convenes non-governmental organizations around policy priorities and solutions to meet the challenges in Hawaiian communities. CNHA is a national network of Native Hawaiian Organizations, providing assistance in accessing capital and technical resources, and is a policy voice on issues important to Native Hawaiian communities. Its mission is to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians.  For more information about CNHA please contact us at 808.596.8155, toll-free at 1.800.709.2642, by e-mail at info@hawaiiancouncil.org, or at www.hawaiiancouncil.org.

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