Neighborhood Place of Puna Launches Puna ʻŌpio Hub to Empower Youth and Young Adults in Lower Puna
Neighborhood Place of Puna Launches Puna ʻŌpio Hub to Empower Youth and Young Adults in Lower Puna
Keaʻau, Hawaiʻi — Neighborhood Place of Puna (NPP) is proud to announce the opening of the Puna ʻŌpio Hub, a new youth-centered resource and workforce development program designed to support youth and young adults ages 14–25 as they prepare for higher education, meaningful employment, and independent adulthood.
Located at Connection Point Church of the Nazarene in Hawaiian Paradise Park, the Puna ʻŌpio Hub provides a welcoming space where young people can access career development, educational support, life skills training, and individualized guidance to help them achieve long-term economic stability and success.
The Hub was created to address barriers many young people face as they transition into adulthood, including limited access to employment opportunities, career guidance, technology, transportation, and essential support services. By bringing these resources together in one accessible location, Neighborhood Place of Puna is investing in the next generation of leaders, workers, and changemakers in Lower Puna.
“Young people deserve every opportunity to discover their strengths, pursue their goals, and build the future they envision for themselves,” said Billi-Jo Pike, Executive Director of Neighborhood Place of Puna. “The Puna ʻŌpio Hub is not only a youth center, but a place where young people can access the tools, relationships, and support they need to thrive. By investing in our youth today, we’re helping strengthen the future of our entire community.”
The Puna ʻŌpio Hub offers a comprehensive continuum of services designed to support every stage of a young person’s journey toward independence, including:
- Workforce Development: Job readiness training, resume development, interview preparation, career exploration, and job placement support.
- College & Career Pathways: Assistance with college and trade school applications, FAFSA completion, scholarship opportunities, career planning, and employment applications.
- Resource Navigation: Access to computers, internet, transportation coordination, budgeting assistance, and referrals to housing, food security, childcare, and other community resources.
- Digital & Financial Literacy: Workshops focused on technology skills, online safety, budgeting, financial planning, and money management.
- Cultural & ʻĀina-Based Learning: Hands-on experiences that connect participants to sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship, and small-scale business development through community gardening.
- Life Skills Development: Practical training in communication, problem-solving, time management, financial responsibility, and healthy daily living habits.
Operating five days a week, the Puna ʻŌpio Hub provides a supportive environment where participants can develop practical skills, explore educational and career opportunities, and build meaningful connections with mentors and community resources.
The Puna ʻŌpio Hub is located at:
Connection Point Church of the Nazarene
15-1839 32nd Ave.
Keaʻau, HI 96749
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday–Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Community members, educators, employers, and partner organizations are encouraged to learn more about the program and help connect young people who may benefit from its services.
For more information about the Puna ʻŌpio Hub, visit www.neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/puna-opio-hub or contact Neighborhood Place of Puna at (808) 501-1413 or wehelp@neighborhoodplace.org.
About Neighborhood Place of Puna
Neighborhood Place of Puna is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting families and individuals on Hawaiʻi Island with accessing the necessary tools and resources they need to thrive; to create safe, stable, and nurturing homes and communities. Its mission is to empower families and communities in Hawaiʻi County by building strong foundations through healthy relationships that value each person’s uniqueness. E mālama pono kākou!
