Help us reimagine philanthropy and move significant resources to grassroots organizations in Hawaiʻi!

JOIN ME in supporting real change from the roots UP! Help us ensure a just and equitable Hawaiʻi!

Even a small gift will go a looooong way in helping our Giving Project 2022 cohort meet our goal!

MAHALO FOR YOUR GIFT

Why I'm doing this: I believe the Hawaiian Islands are a special, sacred place and that the ecology makes her still very much alive despite what harms select humans have done. I also believe in the power of the collective to make real, positive systems change and am inspired by those doing the work, especially celebrated community leader and advocate Aunty Lynette's team and Mālama Mākua - creating opportunities for peace-building as they care for the wahi pana and 'āina amid the threat of unexploded shells, desecrated what had been held sacred to the Hawaiian people since time immemorial. Mākua Valley just made recent news with the announcement that Senator Kai Kahele has just introduced legislation to return 782 acres back to the state and the Hawaiian people, in addition to calling for a remediation study.

Friends who've been have to the site to mālama (care for) have called the experience "magical". As a sacred site, plans for the space are intended for Hawaiian cultural use and not for development, general tourism or further exploitation. I will personally give with my makana aloha, my joyful gift of $500 - two gifts of $250 and the largest single donation I've given any organization, knowing and wishing I could give so much more. That's where you come in.

Join me! No gift is too small: $50 - $500, let's lift up and move mana to those doing the hard work of systems change and peace-building for the betterment of our communities. Your gift serves organizations and community groups- these brave 'lil' guys who are too small to be eligible for big philanthropic dollars but who are none-the-less doing the good work of building toward a regenerative future.

This is where we come in: Let's help off-burden these little orgs by assisting them to fundraise so they can continue their work on the ground feeding, providing services, saving culture and the land.

What you do: Decide on a gift that feels good and meaningful for you. Give now and give with joy knowing, yes you really are making a difference. Every dollar counts. Yes, really! Now spread the word!

Deadline: The deadline is fast approaching for raising my personal community goal of $5000 is by April 30.

Mahalo for your kōkua! (help)

BACKGROUND

Participating in the Giving Project, organized by Hawai’i People’s Fund (HPF) means that for 6 months, I’ve committed to meeting with a cohort of peers for four hours every other Saturday to learn more about structural racism in Hawai’i, justice in philanthropy, and the amazing grassroots groups that HPF supports.

How I Got Involved: I was invited to participate by current Executive Director Micky Huihui and encouraged to see several friends and professional colleagues on the Board and immediately joined after I was stunned at how beautiful this program was.

Domestic Peace Work: I've been interested in social justice for as long as I can remember. As a youth, I always wanted to fight for what was right and to stand up for those disadvantaged, learning about it first through the stories of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In college I carried this perspective forward in participation in an internationally recognized youth peace organization called PeaceJam.

The privilege of meeting six Nobel Laureates, including the likes of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa who fought against Apartheid and deepened my knowledge and seeding the belief that one person can spark a movement to really make a difference. It's everyday people doing small positive acts in a mosaic of good who really get it done, doing it for the right reasons, often out of the goodness of their heart.

Being of mixed heritage and thousands of miles away from where half my family was born, I've also felt the personal effects of not being able to return to the land of my people due to political and military conflict that continues to this day.

Only when I was older, and through my participation with the 2022 Giving Project, I would realize the depth to the extent that this work would serve me, too - that we all are affected by harms inherited systems of oppression and that fund-shifting can be used as a tool toward real healing.

In a world fraught by war, conflict and feelings of helplessness, in addition to the work in my day job, here was something very real I could do to help to improve conditions at home, in my own community; a slice of justice to counteract the ugliness of colonialism and some kind of remedy to the illegal annexation of this beautiful kingdom.

Jumping into advocacy work, like those who defend water rights or those atop Ka Mauna a Wākea (Mauna Kea) often one experiences personal cost to do what is right. I've been in these trenches with other work and know what it's like to need the help. These orgs deserve our support - over 20 organizations will receive funding this year and over the years 100s have benefited from HPF programs. These small grants and your contribution makes a HUGE difference!

OUR GOAL

Join me by giving whatever you responsibly can, right now! Help us reach our goal!

My Goal: Mahalo for your support in raising this personal community goal of $5000 is by April 30. Mahalo for your kōkua!

Our Collective Hui Goal: Raise $100,000 by May 4 to support current HPF grantees - of which we've already raised over $25,000 in a little over 7 days! Let's go!

MORE INFO

The Hawai'i People's Fund (HPF) is a 50-year-old community organization; the only one in the world serving the needs of the grassroots social justice organizers in Hawai'i. HPF supports, funds, and amplifies Hawaiʻi-based grassroots organizations working for social justice in Hawai‘i.

• All of HPF’s grantees are (1) community-focused, (2) constituent-led, and (3) support long term change.
• Of the 27 current grantees, 100% are grassroots (groups that are of the community and serve the community) and 83% are Kānaka Maoli-led.
• Most of these nonprofits and groups are so small they can’t access mainstream funding sources. Their work is driven by passion and kuleana, and often goes unpaid.
• HPF has an Activist-Advised Grantmaking approach, meaning they involve community activists and leaders in philanthropic decision-making, ensuring those who spend their lives on the front lines share power in the grantmaking process.
• Their broad vision is to support all huis (groups) working towards justice in Hawai’i regardless of ethnicity, but believe that the conversation and work begins with indigenous justice.

Can’t donate right now?: No worries! If you are not in a position to donate money, you can still help by resharing this page to someone who can, follow HPF on Facebook or Instagram, and/or check out their website to learn more about HPF’s grassroots partners through their Hawai’i Rising podcast and other resources. Mahalo!

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Mālama Mākua is a Kanaka Maoli-led non-profit organization with a mission to bring about the return of sacred Mākua from the US military for culturally appropriate use. Mahalo e MālamaMākua.org and ʻŌiwi TV for use of video Mākua - To Heal a Nation

#HawaiiRising #EnvironmentalJustice #MākuaIsAlive