The Waianae community is one of resilience, beauty, and unique identity, framed by the striking backdrop of the Wai‘anae mountain range and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. The community is vibrant, rich in culture, and deeply committed to the well-being of its keiki (children). In an effort to uplift the next generation, the Waianae community has come together to create a curriculum that focuses on fostering healthy relationships for school-aged individuals. This curriculum takes the form of a visually impactful poster campaign, designed to raise awareness and normalize positive messaging about relationships within Hawai‘i communities.
The idea behind this campaign is simple yet powerful: positive reinforcement through constant visual reminders. By placing posters in schools, community centers, and other public spaces, the Waianae community hopes to inspire conversations around respect, empathy, and kindness in relationships. The campaign emphasizes the importance of making such conversations accessible and relatable to young people, with the aim of instilling lifelong values that will help them cultivate healthier relationships as they grow.
The development of this curriculum was a collaborative effort. Providers, advocates, and specialists within the fields of mental health, domestic violence prevention, and education came together to answer a fundamental question: *What does violence look like in your community?* This question was at the heart of discussions, guiding the creation of messaging that would resonate deeply with Waianae’s youth. The diverse perspectives shared by the community’s dedicated professionals ensured that the curriculum is culturally grounded, meaningful, and effective in addressing the specific needs of Waianae.
Through this process, Pouhana O Nā Wāhine played a central role in facilitating these critical conversations. As the Native Hawaiian Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Pouhana O Nā Wāhine provided the support, resources, and structure needed to bring this curriculum to life. From organizing community meetings to providing educational frameworks, Pouhana O Nā Wāhine ensured that this initiative was not just for the community, but by the community. By empowering local voices, this project has become a reflection of Waianae’s strengths, concerns, and hopes for its future.
A key inspiration behind the poster campaign came from Aunty Laura Torres, a long-time advocate for healthy relationships in Waianae. The idea was sparked by her grandchildren, who shared stories of their peers’ struggles in navigating friendships and early romantic relationships. Aunty Laura saw an opportunity to create something tangible that could make a difference in how young people view and approach relationships, and her grandchildren’s observations became the seed for this curriculum.
As the project moves forward, there will be space on the Pouhana O Nā Wāhine website for community members to share their stories, bios of those involved, and updates on the campaign’s progress. By spotlighting the individuals who have contributed to this effort, Pouhana O Nā Wāhine hopes to show how a community can come together to address violence in a way that is grounded in love, understanding, and collective action.
As Pouhana O Nā Wāhine, weʻd like to shed light on and mahalo the contributors to this campaign:
Vernon Viernes, Curriculum Facilitator -Pouhana O Nå Wåhine (Field Outreach Specialist. TA)
Barbie-Lei Burgess, Ka Wahi Kaiaulu-Wai’anae Neighborhood Place
Hale Na’au Pono
Kehau Hatico, Ka Wahi Kaiaulu-Wai’anae Neighborhood Place
Hale Na’au Pono
Bradford Bearsheart, Ke Ola Mamo
Natalia Villegas, Catholic Charities Hawai’i
Laura Torres – has been working with Ke Ola Mamo ohana since 2014. She has been in social service work for over 30 years. Her journey started as a Home Visitor for Early Childhood, then moved into Domestic Violence as an Advocate, and now is a Community Health Worker and a Manager here and Ke Ola Mamo. On her free time, she is a trainer for the American Red Cross. She loves spending time with her ohana. She practices regular self-care by getting on the motorcycle with her husband and going for a nice long ride.
Lauraʻs Grandsons and Friend who contributed to the inspiration for campaign:
Justice Torres
Lucaslee Torres
Friend:
Alexys Bailor
The Waianae poster campaign is more than just a series of visuals—it is a commitment to shaping a healthier, more compassionate future for Hawai‘i’s youth, starting with Waianae. Through these efforts, we hope to inspire other communities to take a stand against violence and build their own curriculum tailored to their unique needs, reinforcing the idea that true change comes from within. If your organization is interested in receiving these posters at no cost, please email kekoar@pouhanaonw.org
