Pono (Well-Being), Hoʻomau (Perseverance), and Lokahi (Unity): Welcome, CHADD Hawai‘i!

Kani‘o Yen shares the story of starting CHADD Hawai’‘i and her vision for the chapter’s future in this interview.

What motivated you to start a CHADD chapter in your state?

As a Native Hawaiʻian woman who grew up on the west side of Oʻahu in Mākaha Valley and attended elementary school in the surrounding underserved communities, I know firsthand how important it is to create support systems that reflect the unique needs and cultural values of our people. While I’ve spent the last ten years immersed in ADHD education and advocacy to support my own two sons, I always felt that something was missing in Hawai‘i, and so I wanted to start a space where families could gather, feel understood, and connect.

Starting this CHADD chapter was not just about providing resources but about creating a movement grounded in Hawai‘ian values. I envisioned a space where people across our island chain could feel seen, supported, and empowered through the lens of our local culture. I wanted to create a place where keiki (children), mākua (parents), and kūpuna (grandparents) alike could navigate ADHD with dignity, community, and deep connection.

My journey with ADHD was a very lonely one, full of defeat, hopelessness, and a lack of support and resources. But learning everything I could, and then implementing those best practices, and later finding community made all the difference. And that’s exactly why I’m here—because no one should have to struggle alone or feel like they must figure everything out by themselves.

What has the response been?

The response has been great so far. Many people have reached out to say they’ve waited years for something like this and have requested resources or are thrilled to finally have found “their people.” Whether it’s a medical professional from Maui, a parent from the Big Island, or a teacher out in Waiʻanae, the common message has been: “We needed this.” There’s such a hunger here for safe spaces that honor both neurodiversity and local ways of being. People are showing up with open hearts—ready to learn, connect, support one another, and even volunteer, and it has been so heartwarming.

What do you hope to accomplish in your first year?

I think this first year is more about planting roots and nurturing growth. Currently, we’re focused on tabletop events, as well as hosting monthly support groups that feel like a talk-story session with friends who truly get it. Down the road, we’d love to build culturally informed workshops that center Hawaiʻian values like pono (well-being), hoʻomau (perseverance), and lokahi (unity), while also partnering with schools and professionals across the state.

Our larger vision is to make sure families (especially in rural and underserved communities) know that they don’t have to walk this path alone. We want them to know that ADHD doesn’t have to be a struggle and that it can actually be a strength when we uplift each other through understanding and aloha.

What has been the most surprising thing so far about starting a chapter?

I think I underestimated how much this would resonate with people. We’ve had all different types of people (parents, college kids, professionals, newly diagnosed adults) reach out saying, “I’ve never been to a support group because nothing like this has ever existed in Hawai‘i.” It’s humbling to see how meaningful it is just to have a culturally rooted judgment-free space where people can finally exhale. The support, interest, and eagerness to get involved with our chapter has been overwhelming in the best way, and we’re just so thrilled to be a part of such an amazing community.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Kat, Kevin, and I feel incredibly grateful and honored to carry this torch. We’re doing this for our keiki (children), our extended ‘ohana (family), our kaiaulu (community), for pilina (connection), and for future generations who deserve to grow up knowing that their brains are brilliant, just unique. We’re not just building a chapter. We’re building a movement grounded in aloha, community healing, and local leadership.

We want to send a big mahalo nui to CHADD for supporting this vision and giving us the tools to do this work with integrity and heart. Together, we are helping families across Hawai‘i feel seen, supported, and strong.