In 2018 and 2019, SM Hawaii provided advocacy and community mobilization services to PHOCUSED (Protecting Hawaii’s Ohana, Children, Under-Served, Elderly, and Disabled), aimed at reducing homelessness in children, passing comprehensive family leave legislation, and raising the state’s minimum wage.

SM Hawaii also provided community and media engagement, serving as spokesperson for the organization.

During the 2018 session alone, PHOCUSED and its partners were able to secure over $30 million in appropriations for homeless initiatives as well as help establish a commissioned study to create a model for a state family leave program.