The Bravethrough Series with Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng, Ep. 2 (ft. James Koshiba)

Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng is a peace educator and professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is also the co-founder of three nonprofits: Ceeds of Peace, The Institute for Climate and Peace, and Peace Studio. The Bravethrough Series brings Maya to the table with changemakers and influencers from the front lines of our communities. Listen to learn new strategies, revisit out assumptions, and challenge ourselves to take action in brave new ways. Guest: James Koshiba In 2015, frustrated by the explosion of homelessness in Hawaii, and dwindling compassion for those on the street, James pitched a tent in a large urban encampment and forged relationships with people experiencing homelessness. He later became a supporter and student of Puuhonua O Waianae, a self-organized village of more than 250 people living unhoused at the Waianae Boat Harbor. Through these relationships, he began to understand homelessness as a problem of severed connections with family and community. He co-founded Hui Aloha, to demonstrate how re-building community with those who are marginalized is key to solving some of our most persistent social problems, including homelessness. Today, Hui Aloha partners with people on the street to launch service projects in their communities, reconnecting them with housed neighbors, and help both housed and unhoused people find healing and purpose together. HA is now working to build affordable homes for those who cannot afford housing in Hawaii, which has the largest gap between housing costs and wages of any state in the nation. Prior to Hui Aloha, James co-founded and was Executive Director of Kanu Hawaii, which worked to build movement for sustainability. He was born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii and spent several years on the continent earning degrees from Brown University and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Episode Resources: www.huialoha.org www.alohaliveshere.org www.facebook.com/puuhonuaowaianae