Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 6, 1 Iune 2021 — OHA Awards Nearly $600,000 in Grants to Support the Native Hawaiian Community [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Awards Nearly $600,000 in Grants to Support the Native Hawaiian Community

Previous OHA 'Ahahui Grant awardees include (L-R) Nō Wahine 0 Ke Kai, the East Maui Taro Festival, and the Lōna'i Academy of Performing Arts. - Photos: Courtesy

By Ed Kalama The OfRce of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has released $594,079 through three grant programs that will directly support Native Hawaiian communities. OHA's newly created Homestead Community Grant awards $278,095 to address community needs and improve the quality of life of homesteaders. Funded projects include building a Hale Wa'a in Maku'u Homesteads on Hawai'i Island, installing watering systems on 7 acres for Anahola Homesteaders to grow food on Kaua'i, and building a playground for keiki in Papakōlea, O'ahu. OHA's new Iwi Kūpuna Repatriation and Reinterment Grant is providing $167,298 to four community organi-

zations. Nearly $33,000 will go toward facilitating the reburial of 700 to 900 iwi kūpuna and moepū (funerary possessions) disturbed at Kawaiaha'o Church grounds. The remaining iwi kūpuna grants will provide education in communities throughout the state to empower Native Hawaiians to protect and care for iwi and provide training on the proper treatment of iwi. "The new Homestead and Iwi Kūpuna grants are in direct response to our new strategic plan, Mana i Mauli Ola, whieh provides specific emphasis on the implementation of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and on broadening the definition of heahh to include spiritual heahh and the care of our iwi kūpuna," said OHA Board Chair Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey. OHA will also sponsor 20 community events statewide that will receive a total of $148,686 from OHA's Ahahui

Grants program. Now in its lOth year, the 'Ahahui Grants program supports community events that serve as enrichment opportunities for Hawaiian culture, aina stewardship, eeonomie opportunity, food sustainability and strengthening 'ohana. "We are proud to partner with these community organizations that are providing educational opportunities in areas that align with the strategic foundations of our new plan," Lindsey said. 'All of these grant awards help us to strengthen our 'ohana, perpetuate our mo'omeheu, or culture, and help care for the stewardship of our aina." For more information on OHA's Grants Programs please visit https://oha.org/grants. ■ SEE NEW 2021 GRANT AWARDEES 0N PAGE 7