At KKV, we treasure the young generation of Kalihi’s future leaders and are working hard to ensure they receive the care and love they need to thrive. Nearly a third of our patients range in age from 6 to 18 and attend Kalihi public schools. We regularly serve youth through pediatrics, behavioral health, and optometry. Our mobile dental clinic takes services to the schools, where our dentists provide check-ups and cleaning. KKV’s youth programs Pacific Voices, Waiwai, Tennis, and KVIBE continue to grow and have in-school programs at Dole Middle School and an after-school and summer program at Kalihi Elementary. Maternal Child Health (MCH) has family planning staff who speak with youth about healthy relationships and healthy bodies. Roots and Hoʻoulu ʻĀina offer hands-on, immersive cultural programs and ʻāina-based learning for hundreds of keiki and their families each year.  

Our focus on youth was amplified in 2022 with funding through the Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association (HPCA) and a collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. The Return-to-School initiative supports our youth activities and gathers data about the pandemic, vaccinations, and recovery. 

Last November, Rona Mangayayam, Youth Services Coordinator, and Diena Peterson and Emilygrace Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan, both from MCH, presented to HPCA highlights of KKV’s current youth programs. Showcasing KKV’s achievements before other FQHCs was a great opportunity to sing KKV’s praises and learn from the other teams how best to support Kalihi youth. 

“What we’re doing,” says Rona, “is not just for kids, but also for the families to enhance their definitions of care. We want health not just to be about medicine, but to be preventative too. Our services strive to make healthier families where the kids can develop and thrive.”