Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 12, 1 December 2011 — OHA awards $1.8 million to 5 nonpnofits to help improve conditions for Native Hawaiians [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA awards $1.8 million to 5 nonpnofits to help improve conditions for Native Hawaiians

By Harold Nedd The Board of Trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Oct. 1 1 awarded $1.8 million in grant money to a eombined total of five programs aimed at helping Native Hawaiians improve their health, education and eeonomie self-sufficiency. The funds cover a two-year period and target programs that are expected to directly benefit an estimated l,810Native Hawaiians. Eachprogram will receive between $179,700 and $500,000 over the next two years. "These programs are directly aligned with OHA's strategies for improving conditions among Native Hawaiians," said OHA Chairperson Colette Machado. "We look forward to seeing the positive results from the role these programs are playing in helping Native Hawaiians not only increase their eeonomie self-sufficiency, but improve their education as well as health." Here's a rundown of the grant money approved for the five organizations: » I Ola Lāhui Ine. - $500,000 over two years to fund a weight-management program designed to help up to 500 Native Hawaiians counter health risks associated with obesity. » Department of Native Hawaiian Ileallh,

John A. Burns Schooi of Medicine $500,000 over two years to fund the Partnerships to Improve Lifestyle Interventions (PILI) 'Ohana Program, whieh is expected to help 400 Native Hawaiians get their weight under control. » Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement - $500,000 over two years to help up to 700 Native Hawaiians increase their eeonomie self-sufficiency. The program calls for providing financial-education counseling as well as assisting with building assets and increasing disposable ineome. » Kaua'i Community College (University of Hawai'i Office of Research Services) $179,700 over two years to fund the Wai'ale'ale Project intended to help instill in about 170 Native Hawaiian high school students a real interest in attending college. The program reflects OHA's focus on increasing the college graduation rate among Native Hawaiians. » Native Hawaiian Student Services (University of Hawai'i Office of Research Services) - $180,000 over two years to fund an internship program designed to assist about 40 Native Hawaiian students with their goal to graduate college within a two- to four-year time frame. ■

HEALĪH

The Board of Trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs awarded $1 million over two years to fund two programs aimed at improving the health of Native Hawaiians. Pictured from left are: Keawe'aimoku Kaholokula of the Partnerships to lmprove Lifestyle lnterventions (PILI) 'Ohana Program, OHA Trustee Haunani Apoliona, Puni Kekauoha of PILI 'Ohana, Andrea Hermosura and Robin Miyamoto of I Ola Lāhui ine., OHA Trustee Peter Apo, Aukahi Austin of I Ola Lāhui, OHA Trustee Robert Lindsey, OHA Chairperson Colette Machado and OHA Trustee 0z Stender. - Photo: Aliee Silbanuz