Programs and Services
Youth Services (12 to 18)
Our primary goal as an organization is to create and maintain supportive spaces for youth to make friends, find mentorship, and have fun. This is done in person through events, as well as through our online Discord server.
Some examples of events that we run throughout the year are:
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Arts and Crafts
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Empower'd Queer Prom 2024
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Potlucks and Cookouts
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Community Booths at Pride and Maui Comic Con
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Volunteer and Service Days (in partnership with local nonprofits)
Binders and
Gender Affirming Clothing
One of our most popular programs is a bi-yearly gender affirming garment order. Because of high cost of living and prohibitive costs to ship items to Hawaii, many youth in Maui often cannot afford binders, tucking underwear, or other gender affirming clothing. This is paired with the need to buy new garments every several years as they get older. Oftentimes individuals are also not out to their family, and a family member opening their package is a significant risk. And for many of our folks, these garments not only create joy and gender euphoria, but also are important for their safety and sense of well being.
As an organization, we work with suppliers to acquire these garments at a reduced cost. We also provide a "Gender Fitting Room" where individuals can try on sample binders in person to make sure it's something that fits them -- binder sizing is notoriously spotty when ordering online.
We also provide access to educational resources where youth and young adults can learn how to use these garments safely, as well as providing resources for ensuring safe use.
Community Outreach
Our leadership team provides resources and talks to groups where we discuss Empower’d and our experiences being LGBT+ in Hawai'i. Interested in having us come talk about our programs, services, or just answer questions? Contact us!
Medical Disclaimer
Through our supportive community space, we offer a cohesive support network for our members. Several lead community members are mandated reporters and trained in crisis management. As a vetted team, we work together to ensure everyone's safety and security. With this in mind, we are not licensed medical professionals, and we do not offer therapy or other necessary medical services. In these cases, we connect individuals in need to relevant partners in our local medical and therapeutic community.
In unique cases where individuals are "in the closet" or unable to be out as LGBT+ or Māhū for safety reasons, we offer these services discreetly and confidentially.
If you are having thoughts of injuring yourself, another person, or ending your own life, please reach out to a trusted adult, teacher, parent, or medical professional.