How to Find Homeschool Friends in Hawaii
Though my daughter and husband insist it is not summer until the summer solstice, for me, June marks the beginning of beach time, hiking, and jumping through sprinklers. It is also a season of transition, especially for our military families. As homeschooling parents, a common question many in the islands face is, “How do I find homeschooling friends in Hawaii?”
At CHOH, we hope to aid you in finding those connections, your community, your new homeschool ohana. Here are three great ways to start looking for homeschool friends.
Join a Club or Co-op
Have you heard about our local Honolulu Speech & Debate Club? How about Arise Academy or Windward Christian Homeschoolers? With the transient nature of the islands, it’s hard to keep a solid list of clubs and co-ops going, but there are two reliable places you can look. Oahu Homeschool Communities, Resources, and Services is fantastic, as well as Christian Home Educators Oahu (CHEO). You can find both on Facebook. They are regularly updated by admins and members with new and current co-op invites, field trips, classes, and curriculum sales. You might need to scroll a little, but the friendly ladies on the other side of these accounts know their stuff and can help point you in the right direction.
Go to a Local Homeschool Event
The CHOH Used Book and Curriculum Fair is right around the corner. Come on out and talk to the sellers. Some of these moms already have a decade of homeschooling under their belts—come chat with them! Ask for advice, get connected, and you might walk away with the ingredients for a beautiful friendship.
How about going on a field trip? Once you get connected with CHEO, you will learn about the many field trip opportunities. Field trips are a great way to get to know lotsa people, kids and parents, and you’ll probably learn something along the way!
Take Initiative
Are you part of a local church? Ask your Sunday School teachers or church leadership if they can point out other homeschool families. Have you gone to your local library during the day, only to find a table of children quietly perusing a stack of books? They’re probably homeschoolers! Be brave and introduce yourself to their parent. At the beach, on a hike, or at the grocery store, homeschoolers are everywhere hiding in plain sight. Sometimes we just need to be willing to take the initiative and get out of our comfort zone to find our people.
Can I encourage you with a little story? One of my sweet homeschooling mom friends saw a bunch of kids and moms on a hike. As we all passed each other, someone shouted across the tops of kids’ heads the question, “Are you homeschoolers?” That was three years ago and the rest is history. The main thing is to start. Get out there and live out Proverbs 18:24.
Yes, Hawaii is a transient community. It kinda stinks sometimes. But don’t let that hold you back from putting yourself out there. I used to think I didn’t know anyone. And I hardly did. A small school and even smaller church did not make for a very big circle of friendships for me or my kids. But twelve years into homeschooling, I not only have dear friends all over the world, but also all over the island. Every graduation, recital, or birthday party reminds me how special our Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii community is. Thank you for being a part of it.
If you do come to the bookfair, stop by and say hi! I’d love to meet you in person.
~~ Melissa Scott
