The Heart of Healing
At He Ho‘omaka Hou Ana O’ Puna, we believe safety is the foundation of dignity. Our mission is to empower survivors of domestic violence across Hawai‘i Island through a unique blend of Western behavioral health expertise and deep-rooted cultural healing. Here, every woman and self-identifying woman is welcomed with warmth, respect, and a path toward reclaiming her power.
Kipuka of Hope
He Ho‘omaka Hou Ana O‘ Puna was born from a deep calling to create a safe sanctuary—a kipuka—for women and self-identifying women navigating the challenging journey of domestic violence. Rooted in the lush landscapes of Hawai‘i Island, our story is one of reclaiming dignity through the dual power of Western behavioral health expertise and ancestral Hawaiian wisdom. We recognize that true empowerment requires a holistic approach that honors both the mind and the spirit. Since our founding, we have grown into a statewide beacon of hope, providing trauma-informed mentorship and clinical support that allows survivors to weave a new future, strong and resilient like the traditional lauhala. Here, we don't just provide services; we cultivate a community where every woman is seen, heard, and uplifted on her path to a new beginning.
Jessica Cockrell
Executive Director, Founder
With a rich background in Human Resources and finance, she rose through the ranks to become the Chief Financial Officer of Cockrell Electric, Inc., in 2014 and recently has launched a worldwide employment app "ShiftPass". Jessica is also proud to hold her first U.S. Utility Patent, which underscores heer dedication to innovation and excellence. Currently, Jessica serves as the Director at He Ho'omaka Hou Ana O Puna, where her day to day responsibilities include working with the public, as well as bookkeeping and grant writing. This role allows her to combine her professional skills with a passion for community service. Returning to Hawaii felt like a homecoming, and it inspired her to give back to this beautiful community. Renee and Jessica co-founded and built He Ho'omaka to be dedicated to uplifting women, driven by a desire to create opportunities and support networks for those seeking to improve their lives. Outside of work, Jessica loves spending time with friends and family, volunteering in the community, and finding new ways to make a positive impact. Being part of a community that feels like family is what motivates her every day.
The Hearts Behind Our Mission
Renee Rivera, MSW
Co-Director, Co-Founder, Lead Mentor
Renee is Kanaka Survivor of Homelessness, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Substance Addiction, and Drug trafficking. These challenging events allow her to utilize her lived experience to provide support to those with similar struggles. Developing a Non Profit allows her to further execute her passion for helping to give back and offer safe spaces within her community. Renee graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from University of Hawaii Hilo in 2020, and a Masters Degree in Social Work from University of Hawaii, Manoa in 2023. She teaches Human Services, Sociology, and Psychology at Hawaii Community College. She also serves as a Board Member for Hawaii Island Service Area Board and Hawaii Island United Way Emergency Food and Shelter Board. Of all her accomplishments thus far, the greatest is her family, and believes her most treasured contribution to society are her children who carry on the values of humility, hard work, and love for humanity she instilled in them. . She continues to strive daily to be the best person of herself while remaining thankful, grateful and blessed for all of the opportunities of her past, present and future.
Leadership Team
Dr. Dayna Schultz,Psy.D., LCSW,CSAC
Cultural and Clinical Consultant
Dr. Dayna Schultz is a Native Hawaiian Survivor of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault who has taken her struggles and turned them into strength. Shifting her lens to a sense of empowerment has provided opportunities to be a Cultural and Clinical Consultant for fellow survivors of trauma by sharing in their healing journeys. Several highlights of her career are supervising Hawaii CARES 24/7 Suicide Crisis & Substance Use Disorder Hotline during the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, launching the Hō`oikaika `Ohana, a Native Hawaiian culturally responsive intervention for survivors of DV and being the Residential Director of aNationally recognized Clean & Sober transitional home for women & children. One of her passions is implementing culturally based, trauma informed and addiction focused programs for women working through trauma, addiction and incarceration. Most recently, Dr. Schultz worked with fellow Indigenous relatives to get funding for the first Native Hawaiian Resource Center on Domestic Violence and served as the initial Executive Director, as well as being a founding member of the agency. As a single parent of a son, Dr. Schultz considers him a blessing and her primary motivating force to continue on daily, in this work to change andend violence against women. Currently, Dr. Schultz is focused on developing and facilitating trainings with the Hawaii Substance Use Professional Development, a project of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division of Hawaii and the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work, along with providing cultural and clinical consultation supporting the development of much needed Native Hawaiian programs focused on healing the family unit individually and collectively. To Understand with your heart is ALOHA.
What We Do
He Hoʻomaka Kuleana
HUI' OHANA Food Distributions
Our monthly food distribution initiative, in collaboration with Hawaiʻi Community College, The Food Basket, and other community partners, is dedicated to addressing food insecurity among students and residents across Hawaiʻi Island.
At the heart of this effort is the Kahuaola Basic Needs Center at Hawaiʻi CC’s Manono Campus. Supported by a grant from the Stupski Foundation, Kahuaola offers a food pantry, hygiene products, and referrals to essential services. This center serves as a vital resource, especially considering that 31% of Hawaiʻi CC students reported experiencing food insecurity in the prior 30 days, and 50% of those facing basic needs insecurity did not apply for campus support due to lack of awareness or knowledge on how to access these services. In addition to on-campus support, Hawaiʻi CC students actively participate in community food distribution efforts. At the college’s Mauliola farm, students cultivate and harvest produce, such as bananas and ʻulu (breadfruit), which are then donated to The Food Basket. Since 2023, over 1,000 pounds of fresh produce have been contributed to support families in need. The Food Basket, Hawaiʻi Island’s food bank since 1989, plays a pivotal role in these initiatives. Through programs like DA BOX, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, The Food Basket purchases and aggregates Hawaiʻi-grown fruits and vegetables from over 50 farms annually. These are then distributed to residents via affordable subscription services with weekly pick-up locations throughout the island, including Hawaiʻi CC campuses. This collaborative approach not only addresses immediate food needs but also fosters community engagement, supports local agriculture, and promotes sustainable practices. By integrating educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and community members, the program strengthens the resilience and well-being of Hawaiʻi Island’s communities.
Peer 2 Peer Program
Our Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program, supported through a valued partnership with the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC), is a cornerstone of our work at He Hoʻomaka Hou Ana O Puna. This program provides trauma-informed, culturally grounded support for women survivors of domestic violence, sexual trauma, and systemic harm through lived-experience mentorship and community building.
Led by our Co-Director Renee Rivera, MSW, and Senior Peer Mentor Dr. Dayna Schultz, Psy.D., LSW,CSAC, the program centers on weekly Hāumana KukaKuka sessions designed to foster connection, healing, and empowerment. Renee and Dayna draw on both professional training and personal journey to guide participants through a culturally relevant process rooted in Native Hawaiian values such as aloha, kuleana, and mālama. Together, they cultivate a safe, judgment-free space for women to share moʻolelo (stories), rebuild their self-worth, and reclaim their agency. Through guided conversations, skill-sharing, and mutual accountability, participants begin to see themselves not just as survivors, but as future mentors—leaders within their own families and communities. This intergenerational model of healing creates a ripple effect, strengthening ʻohana ties and reinforcing community resilience. By centering cultural practices and peer leadership, the program helps restore identity, reduce isolation, and build lasting systems of support in East Hawaiʻi. We are deeply honored to have been awarded the Peer 2 Peer Grant by the National Center for Victims of Crime. This generous grant marks a significant milestone for us and will profoundly impact our mission to support females and female-identifying individuals from underserved and marginalized rural communities in East Hawai'i. This support will allow us to extend our peer-to-peer mentoring programs, focusing on trauma-informed care, to victims and survivors of all crime types, including domestic violence and sexual assault. We are committed to enhancing self-esteem, promoting health and wellness, and strengthening family relationships among our participants. By facilitating culturally-tailored support groups that incorporate ancestral wisdom, we aim to foster healing and empowerment for individuals affected by trauma. The Peer 2 Peer Grant will also enable us to reach more individuals adversely affected by ethnic and racial inequality, helping them overcome the systemic barriers in our community. Our partnership with organizations like Hope Services Hawai'i is further strengthened by this grant, allowing us to provide a comprehensive support system for women in need of mentorship and healing. We are grateful for the trust and confidence that the National Center for Victims of Crime has placed in us. Together, we will make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve, helping them reclaim their lives and contribute positively to the wider community. Thank you again to the National Center for Victims of Crime for your incredible support and for believing in our vision. We look forward to sharing the progress and success stories made possible through this grant.
Haumana KūkāKūkā
Our culturally responsive programs include behavioral health services, peer mentoring rooted in Native Hawaiian Culture and monthly intergenerational healing circles. We offer ongoing virtual and in-person support groups for women and self-identifying women who have experienced domestic violence, substance misuse, homelessness, and sexual trauma on Hawai‘i Island.
We cultivate a Puʻuhonua—a culturally grounded, non-threatening space for healing—and engage in Kūkākūkā, courageous conversations that foster connection, resilience, and transformation. For nearly three years, our co-director has facilitated kūkākūkā— that foster healing and connection. We work in close partnership with our community to identify individuals in need of support, welcoming referrals from Hope Services Hawai‘i as well as those who seek help through self-referral. All participants complete a thoughtful intake process and commit to regular sessions, engaging in reflective assignments and huaka‘i—place-based journeys that reconnect them with ancestral wisdom and support personal transformation. He Ho’omaka Hou Ana O’ Puna provides a culturally grounded approach to healing through in-person group gatherings and individualized support. We nourish participants with cultural foods, outdoor experiences, and Kūkākūkā—rooted in trust and shared wisdom. Facilitated by trained professionals and peer mentors, we honor each person’s story and connect them to housing, healthcare, and behavioral health services. Our long-term vision is multi-generational healing, where individuals reclaim their voices and reshape their futures through ancestral strength and collective care. On behalf of He Ho'omaka HouAna O' Puna, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Women's Fund of Hawaii for awarding us a $10,000 grant. This generous support will enable us to provide biweekly support groups for female and female-identifying survivors of domestic violence, substance use disorders, homelessness, and sexual trauma on Hawaii Island. We are committed to creating a safe environment (Pu’uhonua) that promotes healing and leads to courageous conversations (kuka kuka) addressing individual and collective intergenerational trauma. With this grant, we plan to expand the program's reach to women in remote areas of Hawaii Island, develop a mentorship program for past participants, conduct community outreach, and continuously evaluate the program's effectiveness. Your recognition of our work not only provides essential funding but also validates the importance of our mission. Thank you for your commitment to improving the lives of women and girls across the Hawaiian Islands.
The Need
Restoring dignity and safety for all women.
Our mission is to enhance community well-being by providing comprehensive behavioral health services, including licensed counseling, specialized therapy referrals, and compassionate peer mentorship. He Ho’omaka Hou Ana O' Puna is committed to improving the health and well-being of the women and self-identifying women we serve. We integrate both Western and culturally rooted healing practices to foster resilience, restore balance, and support the emergence of empowered identities.
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Our Donors
Support a Journey of Renewal
Your involvement is the lifeblood of our mission. Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, or advocate, you are directly supporting survivors and empowering women across Hawai‘i Island to find their path to healing and dignity.