Compassionate Friends Honolulu Chapter

The Compassionate Friends Honolulu Chapter is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support for families grieving the loss of a child, grandchild, or sibling. Established in 1979, the chapter serves the Honolulu and broader Hawaii community by creating a compassionate and safe environment where bereaved family members can share their experiences and find comfort among others who have endured similar losses[3][1].

Mission and Activities

The primary mission of the Compassionate Friends Honolulu Chapter is to support families toward a positive resolution of grief following the death of a child, grandchild, or sibling, regardless of the age at the time of death. The chapter facilitates this by hosting regular meetings that offer a structured yet empathetic setting for sharing and healing. These meetings typically include two main components: a sharing session, where participants talk about their grief experiences, and a program focused on bereavement topics, which may include guest speakers or discussions on coping strategies[1][5].

Meetings embrace a community-oriented approach, recognizing that participants come from diverse backgrounds and stages in their grief journey. It is common during these gatherings to hear expressions of both sorrow and joyful memories, reflecting the multifaceted nature of grief and remembrance[5].

Meeting Schedule and Format

The Honolulu Chapter holds monthly meetings in both hybrid (in-person and virtual) and virtual-only formats, accommodating different needs and preferences. The in-person meetings typically take place on the first Saturday of each month, while virtual meetings are scheduled on the third Tuesday evening. This hybrid approach allows broader accessibility for those seeking support across the Hawaiian Islands[2].

In-person meetings have been held at locations such as Windward Community College in Kaneohe, Hawaii, providing a welcoming space within the community for attendees[4].

Community and Support

The Compassionate Friends Honolulu Chapter is part of the larger Compassionate Friends organization, which operates multiple chapters worldwide. The Honolulu Chapter’s focus on serving bereaved parents, adult siblings, and grandparents ensures that each participant receives empathetic peer support from individuals who truly understand the pain of losing a loved one.

By fostering a supportive community and offering ongoing bereavement education, the chapter helps families navigate the complex emotional landscape following such profound loss, encouraging healing through shared understanding and friendship[1][3][5].

Compassionate Friends Honolulu Chapter operates as a registered nonprofit entity dedicated to grief support in the Hawaii region, continuing its mission since its founding in 1979.