Aloha, Love Pono ʻohana October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and in this Mukbang Monday episode, we’re diving deep into the patterns that can hide behind “too good to be true” relationships. From love bombing—those intense early displays of affection—to recognizing red flags in behavior and communication, we’re unpacking how unhealthy dynamics can develop and what healthy love truly looks like. Join the Love Pono team as we eat, reflect, and talk story about emotional manipulation, boundaries, and healing. It’s time to learn how to recognize warning signs, support survivors, and promote relationships grounded in respect and care. Need help or want to learn more?Visit: www.leeward.hawaii.edu/loveponoInstagram: @loveponoEmail: [email protected] Resources: • Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC): www.domesticviolenceactioncenter.org • BrightSky App – confidential DV resource finder • Title IX at Leeward CC – on-campus safety and reporting • 24/7 Crisis Line: 808-531-3771 (Oʻahu) Mukbang Monday is a Love Pono series at Leeward Community College where we share food, stories, and conversations about mental health, healthy communication, and living pono (in balance).⸻ Content WarningThis episode discusses emotional abuse, manipulation, and domestic violence. Some content may be sensitive or triggering for listeners. If you or someone you know is in danger or needs support, please reach out to a trusted friend, counselor, or one of the resources listed above. Remember—you are never alone, and help is always available.⸻#LovePono #LeewardCC #studentlife #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #leewardcommunitycollege #leeward #universityofhawaii #pauviolence #selflove #selfhelp

'Ōlelo O Ka Mahina is ASUH’s short series started by the Student Services Counselors that identify as Native Hawaiian.  The purpose of ʻŌlelo O Ka Mahina is to provide an audio library that we can reference that allows us to continue to practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.  

Stay safe, stay connected, and continue to gain knowledge!

Connect with us!

IG: asuh_leeward 

'Ōlelo O Ka Mahina is ASUH’s short series started by the Student Services Counselors that identify as Native Hawaiian.  The purpose of ʻŌlelo O Ka Mahina is to provide an audio library that we can reference that allows us to continue to practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.  

Stay safe, stay connected, and continue to gain knowledge!

Join us for the first part of a two-episode special with Professors Bopp and Adler! In this episode, we dive into their personal journeys with Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) and explore how the field provides a critical lens for analyzing the world. We also tackle common misconceptions about WGSS, including the idea that we live in a "post-feminist" society. This conversation will challenge your perspectives and prepare you for Part 2, where we discuss how WGSS equips students to navigate discrimination.

In this deeply moving and incredibly insightful episode of Live Pono Love Pono, host Alex sits down with the remarkable Jeri Gertz, a woman whose long-standing commitment to advocacy in Hawaiʻi, particularly on Hawaiʻi Island, has made a profound impact. Jeri Gertz's work resonates deeply with Love Pono's mission to foster healthy relationships and promote violence prevention, and her journey is a powerful testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience and healing.

Jeri Gertz shares her personal story, beginning with a pivotal and dark experience in college as a victim of assault. This traumatic event, rather than defining her, catapulted her into a lifelong dedication to understanding gender, power dynamics, and societal messaging around anger and control.

A central theme of this conversation is the powerful Hebrew phrase "Tikkun Olam," meaning "repair of the world." Jeri Gertz credits her Jewish upbringing and community with instilling this core belief – that everyone is responsible for doing what they can to make the world better. This philosophy has guided her diverse and impactful career, which includes counseling for a sexual assault support service, working in the prosecutor's office, and aiding students in foster care.

Alex and Jeri Gertz explore the critical journey from victim to survivor to "thriver," emphasizing that this path is not linear. They discuss the importance of self-care and the wisdom in knowing when personal healing needs to take precedence before one can effectively help others. Jeri Gertz shares invaluable insights from her experience training volunteers, highlighting the necessity of assessing readiness to ensure that individuals are not re-triggered by their own past traumas when trying to assist others.

Jeri Gertz also bravely opens up about a recent and profound period of self-care and retreat – her "chrysalis stage" – following the passing of her beloved husband, after 39 years of marriage. She beautifully describes how this time of intense grief has become an essential period of refocusing and finding a new way forward. Her experience underscores the vital importance of prioritizing personal healing, especially for those dedicated to helping others through their darkest times.

Whether you're an advocate, a survivor, or simply someone seeking inspiration and understanding, this episode offers profound wisdom on finding your voice, navigating grief, and contributing to the repair of the world, one step at a time.

Tune in to learn:

• The personal catalyst that drew Jeri Gertz to decades of advocacy work in Hawaiʻi.

• The profound concept of "Tikkun Olam" and its role in fostering positive change.

• The non-linear journey from victim to survivor to thriver, and the significance of self-care in this process.

• Strategies for balancing demanding advocacy work with personal well-being and joy.

• The challenges and incredible rewards of helping voiceless individuals reclaim their power.

• Jeri Gertz's personal experience with grief and the necessity of a "chrysalis stage" for healing.

Join us for an insightful episode of "What Up, Leeward? Let's Dive Deep" as we sit down with Kelly Kennedy, Assistant Professor in the Language Arts Division and co-advisor of the International Club at Leeward Community College. Kelly shares invaluable information about the International Club's mission to foster communication, cultural exchange, and friendship across cultures, welcoming all interested students. She also dives into an exciting new, tuition-free course, ED197J: Bilingual Interpreting and Translation in Education. This hybrid course, meeting once a week on Wednesday afternoons from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. in the fall , is designed to equip bilingual individuals with skills to serve the community, especially in educational settings.

Please note: The deadline to apply for this course is August 1st! Learn about the critical role of language access at Leeward CC, the Hawaii Language Access Law, and how the college is working to remove language barriers for all students, including the visual representation of multilingualism through the "Aloha Mural". Discover how the ESL program empowers students and what an ideal language access-friendly community college looks like. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in supporting international students, utilizing bilingual skills, and fostering a more inclusive community at Leeward CC. Find out how you can get involved with the International Club and be part of these vital initiatives!

More resources:

• English as a Second Language Program Website
  
• Info Card: ED 197J Bilingual Interpreting & Translation
• Flyer: ED 197J Bilingual Interpreting & Translation
• Photo Album: Leeward's Multilingual Mural
• Contact Kelly : [email protected]

'Ōlelo O Ka Mahina is ASUH’s short series started by the Student Services Counselors that identify as Native Hawaiian.  The purpose of ʻŌlelo O Ka Mahina is to provide an audio library that we can reference that allows us to continue to practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.  

Stay safe, stay connected, and continue to gain knowledge!

Connect with us!

IG: asuh_leeward 

'Ōlelo O Ka Mahina is ASUH’s short series started by the Student Services Counselors that identify as Native Hawaiian.  The purpose of ʻŌlelo O Ka Mahina is to provide an audio library that we can reference that allows us to continue to practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

Stay safe, stay connected, and continue to gain knowledge!

Connect with us!

IG: asuh_leeward

'Ōlelo O Ka Mahina is ASUH’s short series started by the Student Services Counselors that identify as Native Hawaiian.  The purpose of ʻŌlelo O Ka Mahina is to provide an audio library that we can reference that allows us to continue to practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.  

Stay safe, stay connected, and continue to gain knowledge!

Connect with us!

IG: asuh_leeward 

'Ōlelo O Ka Mahina is ASUH’s short series started by the Student Services Counselors that identify as Native Hawaiian.  The purpose of ʻŌlelo O Ka Mahina is to provide an audio library that we can reference that allows us to continue to practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.  

Stay safe, stay connected, and continue to gain knowledge!

Connect with us!

IG: asuh_leeward