In Hawaiian and many other cultural traditions, names are more than labels, they carry mana (spiritual power), identity, and intention. To name a hale (house) or facility is a sacred act, one rooted in ancestral knowledge, cultural values, and deep respect for place. At Hale Kipa, we embrace this practice by renaming our programs to reflect the land, the culture, and the people we serve.
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Puʻuhonua ʻo Keikikāne & Puʻuhonua ʻo Kaikamahine
Our emergency shelters for boys and girls, ages 12–17, are now named Puʻuhonua ʻo Keikikāne and Puʻuhonua ʻo Kaikamahine. Puʻuhonua evokes the image of a sacred, healing refuge, a place of forgiveness, renewal, identity, and belonging. These shelters embody compassion and cultural grounding, offering youth protection, nurturing, and transformation in contrast to punitive systems.
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Hale Hoʻopakele
Serving youth ages 12–17 who are survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking, Hale Hoʻopakele means “house of healing and rescue.” It is a place of liberation, safety, and restoration, where young people can begin to release trauma, reconnect with culture, and rediscover self-worth and dignity.
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Hale Huliʻau
Our Transitional Living Programs for young men and women, ages 18–21, are now called Hale Huliʻau ʻo Kāne and Hale Huliʻau ʻo Wāhine. Huliʻau symbolizes natural cycles, times of reflection, letting go, and beginning anew. These homes provide a supportive space for young adults in transition, encouraging growth, healing, and the reimagining of their life paths.
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Hale Hōkūleʻa
Translated as “house of joyful stars,” Hale Hōkūleʻa supports young women ages 18–24 who have aged out of foster care or experienced homelessness. Like stars guiding voyagers, each young woman is seen as a light on her own journey. The name honors their resilience and strength as they take steps toward independence, carrying their experiences with hope and dignity.
By embracing names that are grounded in culture and meaning, Hale Kipa reaffirms its role as a place of safety, healing, and transformation for Hawaiʻi’s youth and young adults. Each name is a promise, to honor identity, restore dignity, and create pathways to brighter futures.
