The YMCA Hamakua Youth Center as seen from the outside

The YWCA Hamakua Youth Center is located on the main street of Honoka'a town on the Big Island of Hawai'i. It is a project of the YWCA with principle funding coming from the Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division, utilixing federal block grant funds.

One of the many projects available to the youth of Honoka'a is creating computer-graphic invatational cards

The the center youth, primarily teens, enjoy a variety of activities after school and in the summer. The center offers a wide variety of computer access and training to the community. It was the goal of the Honoka'a team to increase the computer knowledge of the youth and adults in the community and to provide a technology upgrade for the youth center with the grant the received from the MIRA initiative.

Mira support bought the Center three top-of-the line computers to add to those already on site

With the MIRA funds, they were able to purchase new computers, new software, and an alarm system. The internet connection made available due to MIRA is extremely popular. They were also able to offer computer classes for youth and adults. The Youth Center's computer room, which is temporarily housed in spaced donated by a local store, is used for free internet access for recreation and homework related use for intermediate and high school aged youth. It is also currently host to a community college computer class for adults. The computer room is awaiting the completion of the technology center addition to the Youth Center, where it will then find a permanent home.