KKV is a richly diverse and unique place to work where staff frequently have surprising, and creative gifts. Much of Ho’oulu ‘Aina’s team focused on ‘aina-based healing and forest restoration, for example, was trained in fine arts and Hawaiian Studies. The Roots Café is led by an accomplished chef who is also a poet; and the Roots Director has degrees in Nutrition and is an experienced hula practitioner. Youth Services programs are coordinated by an ordained minister.  It would never be surprising to discover that the colleague you share a workspace with is secretly a trained musician or a fabulous cook or makes intricate jewelry.  

The underlying glue binding KKV staff together is the shared passion to care, to give of oneself, and to support community. KKV has always worked to support this by hiring bilingual staff with Kalihi connections and by providing training and opportunities for growth and leadership development. KKV’s unique Pathways cross-training program is thriving with multiple cohorts from every department participating in the six-week sessions that break down silos and build relationships allowing staff to work collaboratively on behalf of patients and community. 

Behind the scenes, Human Resources (HR) Director Erendira Aldana (who by the way has a PhD in Community Psychology) has restructured KKV’s practices and policies since 2020, racing at record pace to meet the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and all the workplace complications of this new era. “If we can make all the technical and logistical aspects of the job smooth and clear,” she relates, “we can free up space in a staff members’ mind and heart so they can do what they are meant to do in life. That is, share their gifts with others.” 

Currently KKV has 21 open positions across every department including Dental Assistant, Community Health Worker, Nurse Practitioner, Intake Specialist, Grants Data Assistant, Virtual Care Assistant, Van Driver, Security Guard, etc. Click here to learn more and apply.  KKV welcomes referrals from staff and our wide network of community partners and friends.  

Every year KKV does a staff retreat and a staff satisfaction survey; both are distinctly KKV in flavor. Pre-pandemic, the annual retreat was a day-long, in-person day of activities, talking story, and sharing a meal. In 2020 and 2021, however, KKV experimented with new formats. Last year, KKV encouraged staff team leaders to come up with their own activities ranging from a pickleball workshop to an historic walk and shopping in Chinatown, to kayaking, board games in the park, to creating a “pop-up” free market at KPT to donate goods to members of the community. Throughout the day, staff posted photos of their activities, shared meals with one another, and did something fun and special. 

It was not surprising that the Staff Satisfaction Survey reported relatively high levels of satisfaction with work expectations, benefits, and opportunities to grow. Additionally, KKV rated highly for both its clinical and social determinants of health community program staff in aspect of health identified by Pilinaha or the four connections framework. Overall, staff indicated strong feelings of being connected to the past, present, and future; to one’s best self; to place; and to community. Also, not surprising in 2022 is that many staff are worn out by the ongoing pandemic and frustrated with escalating costs of living in Hawaii.  

KKV understands that caring for our staff is essential to ensuring care for our community.  That is why KKV is working hard to listen and engage staff in decision making and to create pathways for those who show leadership skills to thrive. As we recruit within our community and our state, we also continue to look for heart and creativity, qualities that make KKV unique as a health center.