The mission of the Center on the Family is to enhance interdisciplinary research, service, and education that supports and strengthens families. Most often, our work focuses on the multicultural families of Hawai‘i. Families are critical to the development of children, the welfare of seniors, the well-being of individuals of all ages, and the strength of society. For these reasons, our programs and activities are preventive in nature and aimed at building strong and resilient families.

The Center is a unit within the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) at the University of Hawai‘i. We work closely with colleagues across disciplinary fields at our own and other academic institutions. Our collaborators also include nonprofit and community organizations, governmental agencies, and private businesses.

The Center on the Family:

• Conducts research on family issues, particularly as they relate to Asian and Pacific Island American families in Hawai‘i
• Develops educational materials for families and for the service providers who work with them directly
• Sponsors workshops, seminars, and conferences
• Disseminates research-based information in formats designed for varied audiences, such as researchers, policy-makers, service providers, families, and community groups
• Facilitates collaboration among people who are interested in research, education, practice, or advocacy to promote the well-being of all families

The Center's research and outreach activities focus on:

• Economic strain and families
• Family resilience and the healthy development of children
• The consequences for children of parental childrearing beliefs and practices
• Monitoring the well-being of families, children, and the aging in Hawai‘i

The following are samples of the print and media materials available through the Center. For more information, please see Publications

Materials for family life education

• Family Resource Kit
  One hundred articles on child development, parenting, and family-resource management. Available in English, Tagalog, and Chinese.

• Celebrating Family
  Six 30-minute videotapes on family issues related to responsibility, communication, health, character building, challenges, and partnerships. (The program on challenges won the 1997 National Council on the Family Media Award in international competition.)

• Overcoming Job Loss: A Family Guide
  A 25-page resource booklet to assist families faced with unemployment.

• Brochures
  Building Stronger Families
    Dad Wanted: All Hours, Great Benefits
    Kids: You Can't Beat 'Em!

Resources for researchers and professionals

• Hawai‘i Kids Count - Data Books
  Annual reports of 24 indicators of the well-being of Hawai‘i's children, with data by county and ethnicity where possible

• Making Hawai‘i's Kids Count
  Issue papers and fact sheets

• Family Touchstones
  Annual report of a core set of indicators on the well-being of Hawai‘i's families

• Hawai‘i Family Report - Series
  A periodic Center newsletter with feature articles on various subjects, such as "Building Resiliency in Children," "Workers and the Work at Home," and "Family Influences on Emergent Literacy"

• Journal articles and fact sheets written by Center staff and affiliates