“My boss gave me the number for Hawaii Literacy, but I was ashamed to ask for help,” explains Alohilani, a mother of two from Honolulu. “I chose to get help, especially for my kids. It was hard not being able to read and write.”
Alohilani is not alone. More than 155,000 adults in Hawaii struggle to read and write – to read a story to their keiki, fill out job applications or send an email. Hawaii Literacy works to change this by providing free one-to-one tutoring with trained volunteers for adults and parents wishing to improve their reading. Hawaii Literacy also operates a Bookmobile and family literacy programs in public housing and homeless shelters that reach more than 2,200 keiki.