Agency Details:

Waianae Coast Community Mental Health Center

The mission of Hale Na`au Pono is to...Support Humane and Resilient Communities Through Behavioral Health, Advocacy, Education, and Other Human Services Competent in Addressing the Diversity of Cultural and Social Patterns in Individuals, Families, and Communities and Incoporate Community Members of the Wai`anae Coast in Governance, Service Delivery and Evaluation.

Description:
We are a private non-profit corporation created by the people of the Wai`anae Coast to meet the needs of our community. Hale Na`au Pono provides culturally and socially sensitive, community-based, behavioral health services for children and adults. Our history and the design of our programs are rooted in the activism character of this community.

History:
In the mid-1970's the State Department of Health was responsible for providing necessary services to the people of the Wai`anae Coast. The services were insufficient, often requiring of our people to go outside of the community to receive treatment. The state did not provide services in a culturally sensitive manner. Instead services were provided around a profefssional-institutional framework. The people served by this system felt unimportant and forgotten by the state.
In 1978, the State of Hawaii agreed that mental health services were inadequate. The community began a transition program with the State, separating our community service from the Leeward District by designating Wai`anae as a separate "catchment" area. We were called a "demonstration model" and formed our own advisory board. This board set the path for spinning off completely from the State by forming a community owned and governed not-for-profit mental health center. We incorporated in the State of Hawai`i in 1987.
By January 1995, we became the first community based mental health center in Hawai`i to receive accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). We received the maximun of three-year accrediation.
In 1996 we moved out from Satellite City Hall in Wai`anae into our current home. We began doing business as "Hale Na`au Pono," interpreted as "The Center for Inner Balance."
In 1999, we received the prestigious "Managed Behavioral Healthcare Leadership" Award at the World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, based on our leadership, quality of service, and outstanding programs.
On April 4, 2001, Hale Na`au Pono received its 3rd three year accreditation by CARF.

Contact person: Alvina Kaopuiki, Volunteer Program Supervisor, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (808) 696-5516

Address:

86-226 Farrington Highway Waianae, HI 96792 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.wccmhc.org

Directions:

Crossroads is Mailiili and Farrington Hwy. Pass this stoplight and we're the 2nd driveway on the right (from Honolulu).   Nearest Bus Stop: Just pass the above stoplight., 2 minute walk

Last updated on July 29, 2009