Participant Benefits

Who:

New residents and returning kama’āina and their partners across diverse industries

Participants in the pilot cohort reported very positive feedback on the program, including their acculturation to Hawaii culturally, professionally and socially and their increased connection to the islands.

OVERALL FEEDBACK

4.8/5

Participant

Overall Satisfaction

75

Participant

Net Promoter Score

One word to describe HITOP:

I “get it” now. I feel this program allowed me to talk with my peers and leaders in the community to understand how to operate here in Hawaii.

– Business Participant

ACCULTURATION

Cultural Acculturation

  • 100% improved understanding of local culture
  • 100% improved understanding of Native Hawaiian history, culture
  • 4.5/5: acculturation value; 93% “Good” or “Excellent”

TESTIMONIALS

All of the historical and cultural experiences were valuable but when the opportunity was paired with volunteering, it meant the most to me!

–  Healthcare Participant

 

As a teacher, this has helped me immensely in understanding the culture and my students. Next school year I will be better prepared at relating to my students.

–  Education Participant

 

Professional Acculturation

  • 61% improved workplace effectiveness
  • 70% improved satisfaction with professional network
  • 4.2/5: acculturation value; 86% “Good” or “Excellent”

TESTIMONIALS

I now take the time to learn where my employees are in their lives and processes, and what I can bring to the table, rather than assuming I know best.

–  Healthcare Participant

 

Learning to be patient with people and work alongside them has been helpful.

–  Business Participant

In order to be effective in my role of providing high quality care to my patients, I need to be aware of my patients’ values, traditions, and challenges.

–  Healthcare Participant

Social Acculturation

  • 79% built meaningful relationships with other cohort members
  • 82% improved satisfaction with Hawaii-based social network
  • 4.2/5: acculturation value; 93% “Good” or “Excellent”
Hard work pays off! Getting ready to chow down at the PAʻI Foundation’s luau after volunteering to set up the event.

TESTIMONIALS

I have made friends with a few cohort members and have hung out since the program ended. Also networked with the leaders at the Pau Hana’s. 

–  Business Participant

It’s great to meet others in a similar situation. It will take some time to implement our learnings and understand the impact in our professional/personal lives.

–  Business Participant

CONNECTION TO HAWAII

Sense of Belonging in Hawaii

  • 90% increased their sense of belonging in local community

TESTIMONIALS

The opportunities to meet community leaders and advocates really helped provide that sense of belonging or at least made me think how best I can connect to the local community.

–  Healthcare Participant

It was a great reality check to feel at times more of an outsider and to understand the why.

–  Healthcare Participant

Making friends within the cohort has increased my feelings of belonging.

–  Business Participant

Hawaii as home

Stats:

  • 89% improved their sense of Hawaii as home
  • 57% strengthened their intention to stay in Hawaii

TESTIMONIALS

I never thought I would see Hawaii as “home” but now, I want to make it my home. 

–  Healthcare Participant