Join me in supporting the 2021 Giving Project!

Join me in supporting social changemaking from the roots up! Your kōkua can help ensure that these grassroots huis have the resources they need to continue their important work.

Even a small donation will go a looooong way in helping me meet my fundraising goal for the 2021 Giving Project! The funds I am able to raise will be swirled around with the efforts of 20 others, amplifying the POWER of COLLECTIVE GIVING, and PROVING that what we may not have the capacities to do alone, we can CERTAINLY make happen TOGETHER!

You can read all about what we weʻre up to at the Hawaiʻi Peopleʻs Fund website.

‘A’ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia.

No task is too big when done together by all.

'Ōlelo No’eau no. 142

The Hawai'i People’s Fund Giving Project interweaves a cross-class, cross-race, gender-diverse, intergenerational collective building connections between community learning, giving, and action to support a shared vision for just and equitable social change throughout Hawai'i. Through collaboration and community organizing, the Giving Project hui's goal is to collectively fundraise $100,000 (& more!) by 5/5, 2021 to redistribute to grassroots organizations demonstrating equity, justice, & healing.

Potential beneficiaries of this collaborative grantmaking process include 18 grassroots organizations across Hawai'i committed to peace and justice, environmental justice, education, civil rights, indigenous rights, art & media, social justice, health and wellbeing, and civic engagement. For information on the grassroots organizations, read more on Hawai'i People’s Fund’s 2020 grantees and their initiatives.

‘A’ohe pilo uku.

Even a small gift is appreciated.

'Ōlelo No’eau no. 205

I donated $128 in remembrance of the 128 years since the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in addition to a commitment of over 50 volunteer hours.

Please consider further amplifying this collective work by making your own personal meaningful gift OR joining me in hosting your own creative individual fundraising and advocacy campaign to uplift the grantees whose missions you resonate with.

For more information or to volunteer with the Hawai’i People’s Fund before our May 5th deadline, please contact me at angelpermitokaheaku@gmail.com.

E lawe i ke a’o a mālama, a e ‘oi mau ka na’auao.

He who takes his teachings and applies them increases his knowledge.

'Ōlelo No’eau no. 205

I got involved with the Giving Project because of experience facing social injustices in addition to the direction provided by my Kumu at Ka Pā Hula Hawai'i, John Kaha’i Topolinski.

In the hula context, Kumu Kaha’i graduated from Halau Hula O Maiki under the direction of Hula Master Maiki Aiu Lake and received his title as Kumu Hula among 26 graduates of Papa 'Uniki Lehua. He has also closely studied as her ho’okama with Hula Master Dr. Mary Kawena Pukui, her daughters Pat Namaka Bacon and Pele Pukui Suganuma, Henry Pa, and many other notable hula practitioners. Today, he is Kumu Hula to Ka Pā Hula Hawai’i, his halau (school) founded in 1973 in Nu’uanu, O’ahu, where we practice dance, ‘olelo (language), and dedicate ourselves to the preservation of Hawaiian cultural knowledge. Outside of hula, Kumu Kaha’i has been an educator since 1970 at Brigham Young University-Hawai’i, San Francisco State University, United States Army (Extension Education Division), Windward Community College, Leeward Community College, Radford High School, and Mililani High School (my alumni) with a focus on Modern Hawaiian History.

As a halau, we strive to preserve traditional Hawaiian culture through extensive research followed by practicing and upholding those learned traditions. During this process, we look to ‘ike kupuna (knowledge passed on from our elders and ancestors) for direction. When dozens of kupuna were arrested in 2019 on Mauna Kea in an effort to stop the desecration of the wahi pana (sacred site), I was deeply saddened by the restrictions on Native Hawaiians’ indigenous rights and how some of our (U.S.) government officials continue to prioritize capitalism. Later, a Hae Hawai’i (Hawaiian flag) was destroyed by those assigned to remove protesters. It was clear that systemic injustices and cultural erasure are still prevalent in Hawai’i nei.

During this time, Kumu Kaha’i hosted a lecture on how we might be able to respond and support the community organizing on the mauna if we could not make it there. His conclusion: serve those doing the groundwork for everything the movement stands for.

I had been a supporter of the Hawai’i People’s Fund since learning about grassroots organizations so when the kahea to participate in this Giving Project was announced, I applied without hesitation. Since January, not only did I work towards my Kumu’s request...I’ve also learned about organizations whose missions and dedication to social change are extremely impactful. Outside of the fundraising and advocacy, I’ve also been empowered to find my own leo (voice) and peacefully and productively support social justice by three mana wahine including our GP facilitators, Micky Huihui and Lala Nuss, and fellow hui member and mentor, Maile Meyer. Their (and ALL hui members) guidance and support through this process really shaped my own understanding of how I may be able to continue uplifting community equity, healing, and justice and I am forever grateful.

Ke aloha nō,

Angel Pikake

Pūpūkahi i holomua.

Unite in order to progress.

'Ōlelo No’eau no. 2758

Outside of the Giving Project and hula I do community engagement with Kanu Hawai'i, a nonprofit supporting other community organizations with volunteer engagement strategies and resources. Please consider volunteering with the Giving Project and join us in Fundraising & Advocacy to further support our local Social Justice & Aloha ʻĀina movements!

I stand in solidarity with ALL Hawai’i People’s Fund 2020 grantees, but the following particularly resonated with my values and ideals around what social justice looks like:

Lā Ho’iho‘i Ea - Through decades of grassroots organization, the renewed observance of La Hoihoi Ea was cultivated into a unique space for independence dialogue and education on critical Hawaiian issues and also served as a platform to rally commitments to civil action. The La Hoihoi Ea celebrations are free, public events that are organized by teachers, students, activists, farmers, artists, scholars, entrepreneurs and families who have dedicated years to this celebration.

Mauna Kea Education & Awareness - (MKEA’s) mission is to educate and raise the awareness of communities in Hawai’i and beyond on the spiritual, historical, cultural, environmental, and political significance of Mauna Kea and provide cultural learning opportunities to everyone from keiki to kupuna, residents, visitors, and others concerned about native and cultural rights and responsibilities in order to create a platform for the protection of sacred places and for social justice and positive change.

‘Aha Kāne - Strives to nurture a healthier Native Hawaiian male population by eliminating psychosocial, health, and educational disparities through activities founded on traditional cultural practices that build sustainability in the community. They also work to strengthen the Native Hawaiian community through nurturing and perpetuating the traditional male roles and responsibilities that contribute to the physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being of Native Hawaiian males, their families, and communities.

LAING - Their mission is to perpetuate, promote, preserve, and introduce the various heritage languages and cultures of the immigrant population of Hawai’i and the United States and to use them for heritage education, social services, language and cultural access, and people empowerment.

Hawai’i Workers Center - envisions a Hawai’i in which all workers are empowered to exercise their right to organize for their social, economic and political well-being. It is also a resource of information, education, training and organizing. It will provide workshops on workers’ rights, safety and health and protection from wage theft, labor trafficking, abuse and harassment and other workplace hazards and issues. It will also provide referrals to various health, housing, immigration-related and legal resources.