OUR WORK

At the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights (HCIR), our work advances immigrant justice by connecting community education, leadership development, research, organizing, and policy advocacy. We build collective power so immigrant and migrant communities across Hawaiʻi are protected, prepared, and positioned to lead, especially during moments of crisis and opportunity.

Community Trainings and Workshops

Building Knowledge for Action

HCIR provides accessible, multilingual workshops and trainings that equip community members, advocates, and allies with the tools to engage in civic life and policy advocacy.

Summer of Democracy: Civic education and advocacy trainings focused on understanding Hawaiʻi’s legislative process and building confidence to participate.
Fall of Action: A coordinated season of trainings and mobilization centered on policy priorities, testimony, and collective action.
Know Your Rights and issue-based trainings offered in partnership with coalition members.

Our trainings are grounded in real policy moments and designed to meet communities where they are.

Research and Community-Led Studies

Making Immigrant Experiences Visible

HCIR conducts community-informed research to ensure immigrant needs are reflected in policy, disaster preparedness, and public systems.

Lahaina & Maui Fires: Documenting the impacts of wildfires on immigrant communities, including access to emergency response, recovery services, and language support.
Disaster Preparedness & Social Services: Identifying gaps in preparedness and service delivery to strengthen inclusive emergency planning.

This research elevates lived experience, informs advocacy, and supports more equitable public responses.

Policy Advocacy & Legislative Action

Advancing an Immigrant Justice Agenda

HCIR coordinates and advances a shared Immigrant Justice Agenda shaped by coalition members and community priorities.

Convening coalition partners for legislative planning and bill development
Facilitating meetings with lawmakers and government agencies
Advocating for policies that expand language access, education equity, worker protections, public safety, and inclusion

Our policy work is collaborative, strategic, and community-driven.

Organizing and Mobilization

Building Collective Power

HCIR supports coalition members and communities through organizing and coordinated action across the state.

Hosting and supporting resource fairs that connect families to services and information
Supporting coalition members in statewide protests, rallies, and days of action
Mobilizing community participation during key advocacy moments

Organizing strengthens solidarity and makes immigrant voices visible.

Climate Justice and Equity

Centering Immigrants in Climate Solutions

HCIR works at the intersection of climate change, displacement, and equity to ensure immigrant communities are included in Hawaiʻi’s climate response.

Climate Displaced Leaders Program (with NPNA): Leadership training focused on climate displacement, resilience, and advocacy.
Keep Cool Oʻahu (with the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency): Ensuring immigrant communities can access culturally and linguistically relevant heat safety resources through KeepCoolOahu.org.

Our climate work centers frontline communities and promotes equitable adaptation and resilience.

Youth Leadership Development

Cultivating Immigrant Leadership

HCIR invests in long-term leadership development to grow the next generation of immigrant advocates.

Young Leaders Advocacy Program (YLAP): A hands-on leadership program that trains emerging leaders in advocacy, storytelling, public speaking, and legislative engagement.

YLAP participants gain skills, confidence, and opportunities to influence policy and community change.

Language Access Summit

Advancing Language Justice Statewide

HCIR convenes the Language Access Summit, a statewide gathering of community members, advocates, service providers, and government leaders committed to improving language access.

The summit creates space to:

Identify barriers and gaps
Share best practices
Build cross-sector collaboration

Language access is foundational to safety, equity, and justice.