Full Life

10/05/2026

🌟 From Direct Support Professional to Advocate & Leader! 🌟

We’re incredibly proud of our DSP, Ian Kow, who recently traveled to Washington, DC, as part of the 2026 DSP Ambassador Program! 🇺🇸💙

Over an inspiring week, Ian joined DSPs and leaders from across the country to grow as a professional, advocate, and leader—and to make his voice heard on behalf of the people he supports.

The Ambassadors took part in training focused on advocacy, storytelling, media, public relations, and professional leadership, then joined more than 335 ANCOR leaders for the 2026 Policy Summit.

The experience culminated on Capitol Hill, where DSP Ambassadors joined their peers for 300+ congressional visits, sharing their experiences and advocating for policies that strengthen the DSP workforce and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 🏛️

Beyond the training and advocacy, Ian had the opportunity to connect with DSPs from across the country, exchange ideas, build professional relationships, and become part of a nationwide community of advocates.

🎓 Congratulations, Ian, on completing the DSP Ambassador Program! Your voice, experience, and dedication matter—and we’re so proud to see you stepping into this next chapter of advocacy and leadership.

Thank you for representing Full Life Hawaiʻi and helping shine a light on the vital work DSPs do every day! 🌺💙

10/03/2026

🎨🌺 IT’S TODAY, HILO! 🌺🎨

The 19th Annual AHA Art Festival is happening TODAY at Prince Kūhiō Plaza! 💜

✨ 30+ Silent Auction artworks
🖌️ 25 Artist entrepreneurs
🤝 12 Community organizations
🎶 10 Entertainment acts
🎤 9 Speakers
❤️ 1 YOU!

📅 TODAY — Saturday, October 3
⏰ 10 AM–3 PM
📍 Prince Kūhiō Plaza, Hilo

Come discover incredible original art, support disabled artists and entrepreneurs, connect with your community, and celebrate creativity, accessibility & belonging! 🌈

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring the family and come find something beautiful!

🌺 See you TODAY in Hilo! 🎨💜

10/03/2026

10/03/2026

🎨🌺 **JUST 1 DAY TO GO!** 🌺🎨

Hilo, are you ready? 💜 Tomorrow, the **19th Annual AHA Art Festival** brings together creativity, community, inclusion, and incredible Hawaiʻi Island artists!

✨ **SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3**
⏰ **10 AM–3 PM**
📍 **Prince Kūhiō Plaza, Hilo**

🖌️ Discover original artwork
🛍️ Support disabled artists & entrepreneurs
🤝 Connect with your community
🌈 Celebrate creativity, accessibility & belonging

Bring the family, come find something beautiful, and help us celebrate the amazing talents of Hawaiʻi Island! 💜🌺

**See you tomorrow in Hilo!** 🎨

10/02/2026

What a beautiful day of connection, community, and aloha! 🌺🤝

On September 10, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce hosted a sold-out Governor’s Luncheon at the stunning Fairmont Orchid. The event brought together local businesses, community leaders, and community members for meaningful conversations, connection, and an opportunity to hear from the Governor.

Full Life was proud to be there with a resource table! 💙 We loved meeting and networking with so many incredible local businesses, sharing more about the work we do, and building meaningful relationships throughout our community.

Mahalo nui loa to the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce for creating such a wonderful opportunity to come together. We’re grateful to be part of this community! 🌺

10/01/2026

✨ NDEAM 2026: Celebrating Value & Talent! ✨

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! 💼💜

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” reminds us to recognize the skills, creativity, dedication, and unique contributions people with disabilities bring to the workplace. 🌟

Everyone has something valuable to contribute. Let’s celebrate the talent, amplify the possibilities, and build workplaces where everyone belongs. 🙌

09/30/2026

🎨🌺 HILO, GET READY TO CELEBRATE CREATIVITY & INCLUSION! 🌺🎨

The 19th Annual AHA Art Festival is happening this weekend! 💜

Join Abled Hawaiʻi Artists (AHA) for a vibrant celebration of art, creativity, disability entrepreneurship, and community. ✨

📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Prince Kūhiō Plaza, Hilo

Come explore and celebrate:

🖌️ Original artwork by talented Hawaiʻi Island artists
🛍️ Disabled artists & entrepreneurs
🤝 Community connections & activities
🌈 Inclusion, accessibility & belonging
💜 The power of creativity to open doors and create opportunities

Bring the family, discover something beautiful, support local artists, and celebrate the many ways people contribute to our community. 🌺

We’ll see you in Hilo! 🎨💜

09/20/2026

Happy DSP Recognition Week(end) from all of us at Full Life Hawaiʻi!🌞🌺

09/19/2026

💚 As we wrap up DSP Appreciation Week, we've saved one more amazing spotlight for you.

Meet Jeff

We're so grateful for Jeff, who has been part of our team for 3 years. Here's what they shared:

"Aloha everyone! My name is Jeff, and I've been a DSP with Full Life since 2023.

My big adventure here is supporting a very energetic, talented, and social participant in accessing his community. He has so many natural and positive connections with his community and family, and we're never short on things to do, since music and the water are major passions of his.

This photo is from his grandpa's wood shop, where we've been exploring something new as part of his involvement in the Creative Entrepreneur program. He's been using tools to craft finger-sized surfboards — known as Chee Hoo Boards — as a potential small business opportunity. We've been loving the weekly classes at the Kaiāulu hub, and I'm looking forward to another great year of him exploring new possibilities."

Thank you, Jeff, for showing up with so much heart and helping him pursue his passions.

And to all our incredible DSPs — thank you for everything you do, every single day. You make Full Life what it is! 💚

09/19/2026

💚 DSP Appreciation Week: Meet Lester
We're so lucky to have such an incredible DSP on our team since 2018 — 7 years of dedication and heart.

Here's what they had to say:
"When people ask me what kind of job I have, I get to sing every Wednesday morning at Alii Gardens Marketplace with some of the most cheerful people on earth. I get to go to sandy Spencer Beach Park or the Waikoloa Village pool. I get to walk at green Waimea Nature Park. I get to browse books at the air-conditioned Kailua and Waimea public libraries. And I get paid to do all of these activities."

Beyond the fun outings, Lester supports two participants (one in Waimea and one in Waikoloa), providing a variety of services with Full Life.

"I am very grateful for the privilege of working for Full Life. I'd like to thank all of my fellow DSPs and everyone at Full Life who inspire me to keep serving alongside them — including our hard-working administrative staff, our Executive Director, and our Board of Directors, for all the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our nonprofit going. Thank you to everyone on staff, and to all our volunteers, for helping our participants and their families enjoy a Fuller Life."

Lester, thank YOU for bringing so much joy and incredible work. We are so grateful for you!