Together, We Can Liberate Hawaiʻi

Aloha kākou!

For those that know me, liberation for Hawai'i, for all people, in all forms, is my primary motivator in life and informs all of the work I am involved in. Following the Maui fires in August 2023, I become frustrated watching such a large of amount of financial resources materialize but struggle to find its way into the hands of the Hawaiʻi based grassroots organizations on the ground doing the work that I was witnessing.

This is exactly why I join Hawaiʻi People's Fund's 2024 Giving Project.

Hawaiʻi People's Fund (HPF) is the only organization in the world specifically addressing the needs of grassroots progressive movement builders in Hawaiʻi by directing community-raised funds and progressive funding opportunities to those on the ground engaged in the work.

Founded in 1972 in response to Native Hawaiian families facing eviction in Kalama Valley, Oʻahu, HPF is comprised of community members that annually select a cohort of Hawaiʻi based organizations to support through "fundshifting" efforts.

This year, we are fundshifting on behalf of 32 incredible organizations across 5 Hawaiian Islands.

I set my personal fundraise goal on behalf of these organizations at $18,930 in commemoration of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 and as a reminder of the ongoing oppression Native Hawaiians continue to experience here in Hawai'i.

As of now, more than 50% of the global Native Hawaiian population now lives outside Hawai'i and that percent will only continue to increase unless we, the people, continue to work towards increasing the quality of life for all on our shores. Fundshifting to these 32 HPF grantees today is a great way to contribute.

I am asking friends and family willing to contribute to my goal of $18,930 in variations of "1893". Whether that is $3, $8, $18.93, $83, $183 or those willing to match my personal contribution of $1,893 to this goal.

Collectively, we have set a goal of raising $100,000 between all of us involved in the 2024 HPF Giving Project. Any donation is greatly appreciated. This fundshift will be active from now until May 3. Mahalo nui for your consideration!

Please take a look at our HPF grantees even if you are unable to make a financial contribution at this time: https://hawaiipeoplesfund.org/grantees/

Here are some of my favorites current Hawaiʻi People's Fund Grantees who will be the direct beneficiaries of this effort:

Kalauokekahuli supports Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander families by providing culturally-based prenatal, birth, and postpartum education and services. Since their inception, Kalauokekahuli has offered free doula services to our lāhui across Hawaiʻi. They cover pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding education and services.

Ho’āhu Energy Cooperative Molokai is structured as a consumer cooperative, ensuring that member-owners have the ability to directly inform the products and services the co-op offers through annual meetings and democratic processes.

Honua Scholars: mission is to highlight Native Hawaiian value-based STEM practices, inspiring individuals from any background to facilitate a relationship between their career, their culture, and their community.

Hui Aloha ʻĀina: exists for the expressed purpose of perpetuating Hawaiian national identity, the development of a Hawaiian national consciousness, and the restoration of Hawaiian national independence. Hui Aloha ʻĀina has branches on all major islands, is entirely volunteer driven, and is a multigenerational combination of veterans of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, students, parents, labor organizers, workers, academics, and kuaʻāina alike.

Kahalu’u Kūāhewa is a community-based organization located in the ahupuaʻa of Kahalu’u ma uka. Located in one of Konaʻs largest intact traditional agricultural field systems preserved within a 354-acre area, the hui has documented 3,500 archaeological features, 98.7% of which are considered traditional agricultural features.

Kuleana Kipuka is a nonprofit organization and community land trust that perpetuates kuleana, ahupua’a-based natural resource management and connection to place through protection of cultural landscapes and family lands on Kaua’i.