Neighborhood Place of Puna

06/18/2026

Neighborhood Place of Puna is honored to partner with the Hawaiʻi Police Department and grateful for their support in helping local keiki start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to succeed.

Mahalo to the Hilo Community Policing Section for participating in Stuff Da Bus and for serving as one of our school supply drop-off locations.

Their commitment to community extends far beyond public safety and demonstrates the power of collaboration in supporting children and families across East Hawaiʻi.

Together, we're working toward our goal of providing 700 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to local families!

Join us for Stuff Da Bus on Sunday, July 19, from 12–4 p.m. at Shipman Park in Keaʻau, a free community event featuring family activities, food, vendors, raffle prizes, and resources for the whole ʻohana.

The South Hilo Community Policing Section is proud to partner in the Neighborhood Place of Puna's first annual Stuff Da Bus event, scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2026.

06/17/2026

Mahalo to the for supporting Stuff Da Bus and for serving as one of our school supply drop-off locations!

If you’re out and about, stop by the Hilo Police Station and drop off school supplies to help ensure local students start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to succeed. ✏️📚🖍️

Together, we’re working toward our goal of providing 700 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to families throughout East Hawaiʻi.

Join us for Stuff Da Bus!
📅 Sunday, July 19 | 12–4 PM
📍 Shipman Park, Keaʻau

This free community event will feature the backpack and school supply distribution with a drive-through option to ensure the day is accessible for all families, along with family activities, food, vendors, raffle prizes, and community resources for the whole ʻohana.

We are grateful to partner with Hawaiʻi County Police Department and for their commitment to supporting local keiki and families across East Hawaiʻi.

06/17/2026

A backpack may seem small, but to a child starting a new school year, it can mean the world.

As we prepare for Stuff Da Bus, we’re incredibly grateful for the local businesses and organizations that have stepped up to host school supply donation bins.

Mahalo to our amazing community partners:
- Kamaʻāina Motors
- Kama'aina Nissan, Inc.
- Kats and Lemons
- Big Island Meadery
- Hilo Police Station
- Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles
- Tractor Supply Co. Hilo

If you’re out and about, consider picking up a few extra school supplies and dropping them off at one of these locations.

Every notebook, pencil, backpack, and box of crayons helps local keiki start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and supported. 🎒✏️📚

Mahalo to these incredible partners for helping us Stuff Da Bus and work toward our goal of providing 700 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to families across East Hawaiʻi! 🚌✨

Stuff Da Bus is a free community event featuring family, activities, food, vendors, raffle prizes, and community resources for the whole ʻohana — happening Sunday, July 19, from 12-4pm at Shipman Park in Keaʻau!

https://neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/stuff-da-bus/

06/16/2026

“It doesn’t feel like work. It’s just something we do here in Hawaiʻi.”

Meet Kealoha, a Housing Stability Specialist at Hale ʻIki Family Assessment Center.

Tune in as she shares how the values she was raised with continue to guide the way she serves families experiencing homelessness.

🎥 Watch Kealoha’s full interview on our YouTube channel to hear more about the people behind the work and the values that inspire them every day: https://youtu.be/3VdcP0T-eEM

🤝 If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or housing instability, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Reach out to Neighborhood Place of Puna to learn about available resources and support: (808) 501-1413

06/12/2026

As a social work major, Camille came to Neighborhood Place of Puna ready to serve local families and youth here on Hawaiʻi Island 💙

She shares what she enjoyed most about volunteering with NPP and how the experience reinforced her passion for helping others.

Mahalo to Camille and the Praying Pelican Missions team for spending part of your summer giving back to our Hawaiʻi Island community!

Volunteers truly make a difference, and we are so grateful for every helping hand.

If you’re interested in volunteering with NPP, visit our website to apply: https://neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/volunteer/

Send a message to learn more

06/11/2026

Looking for a meaningful way to give back this summer? Join us for Stuff Da Bus! 🎒🚌

We're looking for volunteers, service clubs, businesses, faith communities, teams, and community partners to help make sure local keiki start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to succeed.

Whether you can help with setup, backpack distribution, family activities, greeting guests, or cleanup, your time will make a direct difference for children and families across East Hawaiʻi. 💙

Ready to get involved? Learn more and sign up here:
https://neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/stuff-da-bus/

Mahalo for helping us Stuff Da Bus and support our community's keiki!

06/10/2026

Meet Rodney, a Housing Stability Specialist at Hale ʻIki Family Assessment Center ✨

Rodney shares what it means to support families experiencing homelessness and help them move from crisis to stability.

🎥 Watch Rodney’s full interview on our YouTube channel to learn more about the people behind the work and how stable housing changes lives: https://youtu.be/-96xcn841pQ

🤝 If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or housing instability, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Reach out to Neighborhood Place of Puna to learn about available resources and support: (808) 501-1413

06/04/2026

Neighborhood Place of Puna is honored to have been awarded a Hawaii Island United Way Community Impact Grant to address food and housing stability for ALICE families across Hawaiʻi Island!

HIUW awards 9 grants to island nonprofits - Community | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

06/04/2026

What if the most powerful way to help someone is by simply showing up?

The latest episode of Community in Conversation features former NPP Executive Director Paul Normann in conversation with current NPP Executive Director Billi-Jo Pike to reflect on 14 years of leadership, service, and the lessons that shaped Neighborhood Place of Puna.

Paul & Billi-Jo discuss:

✨What does it really mean to “meet people where they’re at”?
✨How do we build trust with families over time?
✨What role does community play in creating lasting change?

🎧 Tune in to the full episode of Community in Conversation on your favorite podcast streaming platform and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meeting-people-where-theyre-at-lessons-in-leadership/id1878549228?i=1000768029886

05/29/2026

Family homelessness on Hawaiʻi Island is down 62% since 2018. Unsheltered family homelessness is down 91%.

That means more children are sleeping in safe places. More families are finding stability. More parents are able to focus on building brighter futures for their keiki.

These results from the 2026 Point-in-Time Count remind us that progress is possible when communities invest in prevention, outreach, housing support, and family-centered services.

Because every child deserves the opportunity to focus on being a child — not where they will sleep at night.

Swipe to see how Neighborhood Place of Puna is playing a key role in homelessness prevention 🩵