Invest in Hawai‘i’s Sustainable Future

Aloha e nā hoa a me ka ‘ohana (Aloha friends and family)!

Mahalo for reaching in and If you're here, then you know that this year I have the PRIVILEGE of joining Hawai‘i People's Fund 2023 Giving Project cohort. It's been such an honor working with this impactful organization. As an indigenous kānaka born and raised in Hawai‘i, this opportunity has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling in ways I can't even begin to describe both personally and professionally. Through this six month-long program, I have been able to meet, connect, and collaborate with other value-aligned leaders, who are deeply invested in grassroots movements and proactively working for justice for Hawai‘i. I was NOT expecting how quickly these leaders and this work would become SO important to me. I truly feel like I've known this hui my whole life. Mahalo to Hawai‘i People's Fund and The Giving Project for connecting me to this new 'ohana.

Iʻve lived in other parts of the world, and no matter where I go, anytime anyone hears that I am from Hawai‘i, they immediately either tell me that they've visited and loved it, or that they've always dreamed of coming here. If you're someone who has been here and has experienced firsthand how magical, healing, powerful, and special the mana of our beloved islands is, THIS is your chance to give back! This is your chance to nourish the ‘āina that has given so much to so many of us.

I LOVE Hawai‘i, and I knew I wanted to participate in something meaningful to advance social justice in the islands. That's why I created a fundshifter to share my journey with my ʻohana and friends—and you can be a part of it- let's unite as a collective!

Whatʻs The Giving Project, you ask?

The Giving Project interweaves a cross-class, cross-race, gender-diverse, intergenerational collective that shares a vision for a just and equitable Hawai‘i.

What is it that we're doing?

We're applying our time, talent, and resources to supporting movements for social change by uplifting, advocating for, and raising funds to support HPFʻs community partners who are combatting systems of oppression everyday. Our hui is working together virtually and in-person to learn about and connect with grassroots organizations here at home, deepening our understanding of Hawaiʻi’s unique history and contemporary social justice principles, and engaging in collective liberation learning and practices to amplify and illuminate social change efforts throughout our pae ʻāina. Our mission is to support, fund, and amplify the work of Hawaiʻi-based grassroots organizations challenging systems of oppression through a unique intersectional approach to social change, hitting injustice in Hawai‘i from all angles across five islands and multiple issue areas.

Why is this important?

This answer is going to be different for everyone. For me, it's because Hawai‘i is my home, I have roots here, and Hawaiian blood flows through my veins. I was born and raised on the island of O‘ahu, but I've run away from home a few times and lived in other places such as New York City and San Diego. I moved back home in July of 2021 with my husband to start a family. I always knew I wanted to raise my children in Hawai‘i the way I was raised, but sadly, the Hawai‘i I grew up with, isnʻt the same Hawai‘i we live in today. Everyday, more and more kānaka are pushed out of their ancestral lands as the cost of living continually climbs. More and more people come to purchase land for their vacation homes that they use for a week or so out of the year, forcing kānaka (‘ōpio and kūpuna alike) into houselessness. The military continues to take advantage of our ‘āina, poisoning our most precious resources. These are just a few examples of the ongoing issues Native Hawaiians face ~ unfortunately, the long list of exploitations of our beloved islands and her people goes on and on. HPF is the only organization in the world specifically addressing the needs of grassroots progressive movement builders in Hawaiʻi, and the Giving Project presents a SOLUTION by directing community-raised funds and progressive funding opportunities to those on the ground engaged in the work.

Weʻre currently fundshifting for 31 grantees, each of them amazing in their own way. Most of them are indigenous-led, and received their very first grant from HPF! All funds our hui is able to shift will be split evenly between the grantees, AND, because we believe so deeply in this work, each of us committed our own makana aloha (personal meaningful gift), and together we've already raised over $25,000 - from our own pockets! I'm personally putting $1,081 into the pot ~ I knew I wanted to give a large sum, and decided on $1,081 to honor my papa who was 81 when he passed away in 2016. My papa blessed me with my Hawaiian blood. I so wish I could tell him about this incredible opportunity, and that he is the reason I am so passionate about this work.

Mahalo for considering joining me on this journey ~ I love you all!

In solidarity,

Natalie

P.S. Be sure to follow Hawai‘i People’s Fund on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok to see the impact of our work in action!