Hawaii People's Fund / Recent Grantees

Abled Hawai‘i Artists: Capacity-building funding for this successful, community-empowerment organization of differently-abled persons to expand its O‘ahu program and begin outreach initiatives on Hawai‘i Island, culminating in a larger, more visible AHA Art Festival event in Honolulu accessible to even more individuals and the first-ever Abled Hawai‘i Artists event in Hilo.
Ahu: the Hawai‘i Journal of Education: Seed funding to this educational organization and its innovative, interactive, culturally-rich, online journal, a conduit to bring world, island and local community events, university classes, and learning forums to an ever-wider audience of humanity searching for collaborative and joyful solutions to the problems of our times.
Asian Settlers for Justice: Funding to support outreach efforts accompanying publication of a major new book on the social fabric and history of the Hawaiian Islands, Asian Settler Colonialism: From Colonial Governance to the Habits of Everyday Life in Hawai‘i, key steps to help all see how one's daily practices can be settler activities supporting U.S. colonialism.
Friends of the Ko‘olau Clubhouse: In support of Spread the Word, a community empowerment effort so the members of this comprehensive, Windward-O‘ahu psychosocial program can sustain an active role in reducing stigma related to mental illness, and engage in advocacy to increase their rights, educate the public, other mental health consumers, and future helping professionals.
Ho'ona'auao Productions: Seed funding for this new, visionary production organization to begin developing its initial multimedia educational tools and projects that will inform Hawai‘i's people about the intersection of Hawaiian history, contemporary legislation, the social landscape, and activism.
Ka ‘Aha Hui Na‘auao: Seed support for Ka Papa ‘Oihana, a major and regionally-oriented cultural restoration and perpetuation effort by kupuna (elders), makua (parents) and other community leaders and artisans on O‘ahu's North Shore to plan core classes and structure for their traditional learning center, as first steps to preserving cultural art and knowledge from almost-certain extinction.
Ka Huina Gallery: To augment Hilo Public Movies, a media project of 2-3 movie and dialogue nights each month hosted by this east Hawai‘i Island peace and justice community center to advance democracy, build an informed citizenry and establish links among activists working on issues of local to global impact.
Ka Lei Maile Ali‘i Hawaiian Civic Club: Support for this activist club of Hawaiians and allies to provide accurate, historical data on protests against United States' annexation of the Hawaiian Kingdom, specifically for Californians to witness a reenactment of an 1897 meeting of two representatives of Queen Lili‘uokalani and their explanation to Hilo community members of the Queen's request they sign petitions opposing the forthcoming annexation of Hawai‘i by the U.S.
Life of the Land: General support for this major environmental organization in Honolulu and its work in four overlapping areas: regulatory intervention, technical support, media and a climate change campaign.
MANA: Movement for Aloha no ka ‘Aina: For Mo‘olelo Aloha ‘Aina: Stories of Struggle, a political education project to capture and disseminate experiences and reflections of Kanaka Maoli and other people who engaged in direct action land struggle and occupation in Hawai‘i over last the four decades.
Mental Health America of Hawai'i, Maui County Branch: Critically-needed general support for this 36-year old community-based, civil rights organization to sustain its educational and support work while continuing to refuse state support, so that advocates remain free to pressure the state to bring basic mental health services to urban and outlying Maui communities.
Na Maka o ka ‘Aina: For interactive, educational DVD project called Saving Haloa, the name of a mythological ancestor of the Hawaiian people, designed to be a food sovereignty and sustainability resource for existing and hopeful kalo growers (Hawaiian for taro), teachers and community activists spreading the truth about the risks of genetically modified kalo.
Paumalu Press: Continuing support for this fairly new, full-color, environmental community magazine that is dedicated to informing people in the communities of Mokuleia to Kahalu‘u about a multitude of issues, bringing people together across diverse social change subjects and helping them gain more control over impending changes that threaten their rural-O‘ahu island lifestyle.
Samoan Language School: Funding to establish Community Family Literacy Project, a structured, family literacy program in this marginalized indigenous community so youth learn their mother tongue, and by infusing the Samoan language, helping all Samoan families in Hawai‘i to value education and enhance learning skills in standard classrooms.
Youth Speaks Hawai‘i: Continued funding for Hawai‘i-based chapter of multi-state organization's workshops and venues for youth expression through Spoken Word, specifically enabling Hawai‘i's leading young voices to participate in the Brave New Voices national poetry competition.

Friends of Sabeel: Emergency grant to support 3-week symposium series recognizing 60th anniversary of the Nakba.
Kauai Outdoor Circle: Discretionary grant to help support community organizing to save historic Monkeypod trees in Koloa Town.
Maluia WCMS: Emergency grant to support a delegate from this ad hoc community coalition of to attend National Pesticide Forum in order to monitor public agencies in relation to pesticide use on agricultural lands adjacent to Waimea Canyon Middle School.
Q-Element: Discretionary grant for a youth program event during transitional period for Aloha Pride Center.