Hawaii is the perfect place to experience a true cultural exchange experience — it has multiculturalism at its core. It’s also a place filled with medical and military families serving in essential roles who count on au pairs for flexible and dependable child care assistance. A match made in paradise.
The important relationship between essential working families in Hawaii and the au pair program began in the late 1980s when Au Pair in America Community Counselor Barbara Bancel welcomed the state’s first legal au pairs – a mighty group of four! Today, with a cluster of over 40 au pairs and host families, Barbara sums up an au pair’s connection to the Aloha State, saying, “Hawaii becomes a part of an au pair’s life forever.”
Each month, she plans a get together for her au pairs. Some favorites include whale watching, a catamaran trip to Waikiki, and a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Au pairs in Barbara’s Hawaii cluster certainly experience once-in-a-lifetime activities, but also dedicate themselves to supporting their host families — especially those in essential roles.
Home to 13 military bases, including Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii has a unique occupational makeup. It’s not uncommon to find families with a parent or parents in the military, a medical field, or both — making reliable child care assistance a necessity. During the COVID-19 pandemic in particular, these families have relied on intercultural au pair child care assistance as a means of stability. Without reliable support for their children, medical and military families can become stressed, impacting how they execute their essential duties.
Known for the spirit of Aloha, this friendly and inclusive community makes au pairs feel welcome. In turn, au pairs from all over the world share a bit of their culture, while helping Hawaii’s essential employees get to work.
Looking for child care in Hawaii? Learn more about Au Pair in America.
1 comment
Thanks for sharing this wonderful article. Really informative.