Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 11, 1 November 2023 — OHA Awards $1.8 Million to 16 Native Hawaiian-Serving Nonprofits [ARTICLE]

OHA Awards $1.8 Million to 16 Native Hawaiian-Serving Nonprofits

By Ed Kalama The Office of Hawaiian Affairs' (OHA) Grants Program supports Hawai'i-based nonprofit organizations that have projects, programs and initiatives that serve the lāhui in alignment with OHA's strategic plan, whieh targets eeonomie, heahh, housing, and education strategic directions. In October, more than $1.8 million was awarded to a total of 16 community nonprofits. The slew of grant awards approved last month were highlighted by two community nonprofits that would provide experiential employment and workforce development programs for Native Hawaiians. An Eeonomie Stability grant of $500,000 was awarded to the Homestead Community Development Corporation for its statewide Residential Employment Living Improvement Project, whieh would provide employment opportunities, training and job placement services for an estimated 95 individuals. A $400,000 grant was awarded to Kaua'i's Hoakeolapono Trades Academy and Institute for its Building Through Innovation Program whieh would offer workforce development in the building and construction industry for an estimated 32 community members.

"It our honor to stand side by side with these eommunity partners as we work in unison to better the lives of Native Hawaiians," said OHA Board Chair Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey. "Our intent is to strengthen our 'ohana, our culture and our aina, and together with these outstanding organizations, we ean accomplish so mueh more for our beneficiaries." OHA also awarded six $100,000 Āina Grants to the following organizations: Hui Mālama i ke Ala 'Ūlili to restore and steward 20 acres of of regenerative 'ulu agroforestry on Hawai'i Island; Aloha Kuamo'o 'Āina for its Mālama Kuamo'o Community Stewardship Program whieh will help restore a 3-acre portion of Kuamo'o on Hawai'i Island; 'Āina Allianee for preservation, stewardship and restoration activities along Kaua'i's Anahola coastline; The Men of PA'A for its Imu Mea 'Ai project, an aina-based recovery and community service program for men transitioning from the justice system and at-risk youth in Puna on Hawai'i Island; Papakōlea Community Development Corporation for its Pūowaina Research and Education Project to increase educational programming in Papakōlea, O'ahu; and Keaukaha Pana'ewa Community Allianee for its Mahi'ai Project to provide agricultural workshops on Hawai'i Island. A $100,0000 Mo'omeheu (cultural) grant was awarded

to Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center for its Moa'e Moloka'i Digitization Project, whieh will assist with the preservation of cultural content unique and specific to Moloka'i. In addition, back in July 2023, OHA presented the first of its new Kāko'o Grant Program awards. Kāko'o Grants are intended to strengthen community organizations' grant applications and post-award monitoring and reporting - not just for OHA, but for county, state, federal, and community resourcing as well. They are intended for operational administration funding and support services and may include, but are not limited to: grant writing; program implementation and evaluation support; paying for hnaneial audits, accountants and accounting services; business insurance; or Form 990 preparation. Organizations awarded Kāko'o Grants in July were: Going Home Hawai'i ($25,000), Hawaiian Historical Society ($25,000), 'Aha Punana Leo, Ine. ($25,000); Homestead Community Development Corporation ($20,000), and the J. Walter Cameron Center ($15,000). In October, trustees approved additional Kāko'o Grants awards for: La'i'ōpua 2020 ($25,000), 'Aina Allianee ($25,000), Infinite Reach [dba Native Hawaiian Innovation Institute] ($25,000), The Men of PA'A ($15,000) and the Kalaeloa Heritage & Legacy Foundation ($15,000). ■