Let's move money to grassroots social justice organizations in Hawai'i!

UPDATE: 103 donors have supported my campaign! Including the funds doubled by corporate match programs, we have raised $15,082!

Aloha!

From January through May, I am participating in Hawaiʻi Peopleʻs Fundʻs 2023 Giving Project alongside 18 other committed folx seeking to radically transform the way we move money to movements for real change from the roots up.

Hawai'i People's Fund is a grant-making organization that supports passionate, grassroots community groups working for social justice in Hawai‘i since 1972. Their program that I've joined, the Giving Project, brings together a collective of individuals (like me) that share a vision for a just and equitable Hawaiʻi. We are applying our time, talent, and resources to supporting movements for social change by engaging with and raising funds for HPFʻs community partners who are combatting systems of oppression every day in the areas of environmental justice, economic justice, education, language & cultural reclamation, health, and self-determination.

As you may know, I have a deep love for Hawaiʻi, and I am passionate about economic, educational, and racial justice as well as cultural and environmental revitalization here. These passions have motivated many big decisions in my young adult life: why I chose to write my undergrad thesis on Hawaiian immersion (kaiapuni) schools fighting settler colonialism, why I work at 'Iolani's KA'I Program, why I chose to become a social studies teacher to plant seeds for change, why I ultimately moved home to Honolulu this past year, and why I joined the Hawai'i People's Fund's Giving Project!

I knew I wanted to participate in something meaningful to advance social justice in the islands, and the Hawai'i People's Fund is just that. I created this fund-shifting campaign to share my journey with my ʻohana and friends and to help move money directly to the movement!

There are 31 grantees across 5 islands who will receive these funds. What excites me most about these grantees is that they are each working on a different aspect of the Hawai'i that I would like to see: one where Hawaiian culture flourishes, the land is sustainably stewarded, youth have access to enriching learning experiences, and groups of people who have been historically marginalized are empowered with resources, skills, and community.

There is so much waiwai (wealth) in Hawai'i nei - wealth of knowledge, nature, and culture. I hope to live in a Hawai'i where that waiwai can flourish and more of Hawai'i's people can share in it. Contributing some of your own waiwai ($$$) is a small way that you can propel Hawai’i forward.

I humbly ask for your donation to help me reach my goal of raising $15,000. If you would like to remain anonymous, please leave a note so I have an idea of how we are connected, or why you are donating (ex: "'Iolani Class of ___," "Yalies against settler colonialism!" etc.)

Thanks to three generous allies who work at large corporations such as Google, we were able to MATCH donations and double the impact of donors' money. To leave enough leeway for the corporations to match donations, the donor matching campaign has ended. You may donate until May 4! Please donate directly to this fund-shifting site.

I would be more than happy to speak with you 1-1 further about this important work.

Resources: About the Hawai'i People's Fund, 1-min Giving Project video, Giving Project FAQ, where does the money go?