HCF Laulima Grants support Maui nonprofits to steward nearshore marine areas | News, Sports, Jobs
The Maui News
HONOLULU–The Hawai’i Community Foundation announced more than $1.2 million in grants to 18 organizations and programs providing meaningful contributions to the goal of the Holomua Marine Initiative, which focuses on protecting and restoring nearshore marine areas in Hawai’i through community engagement and co-management.
The grantees have programs in Maui County, as well as Kaua’i, Hawai’i island, O’ahu and statewide.
“For generations, Hawai’i’s marine environments have been integral to the cultural, physical, and economic health of our islands and people,” says Dana Okano, HCF’s Director of Natural Environment “We are proud to support the organizations working tirelessly to safeguard our marine ecosystems and foster community stewardship.”
The HCF Laulima Grant program was designed to provide funding opportunities to a broad range of stakeholders and projects, with applicants implementing programs in at least one of the five focal areas including capacity, coordination, data, engagement, and governance.
Amy Hodges, executive director of the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, says, “Thanks to support from the HCF Laulima Grant, the Hui O Ka Wai Ola [program] can continue to make reliable water quality data available to Maui’s residents and to leaders and decision-makers as they plan for the future of our island home.”
The following organizations on Maui who received a grant include The Hawai’i Island Land Trust, awarded $150,000, Kuleana Coral Reefs, awarded $125,000, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, awarded $45,600, Ke Ao Hali’i, awarded $100,000, and Ke Honua Momona International awarded $50,000, Kipahulu ‘Ohana Inc., awarded $50,000, Na mamo O Muolea, awarded $50,000,
For more information contact: Sheila Sarhangi Hawai’i Community Foundation (808) 772-0718 ssarhangi@hcf-hawaii.org
In 2016, the state launched the Sustainable Hawai’i Initiative, a multi-pronged effort to ensure a healthy environment and economy for Hawai’i’s people. As part of this effort, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, introduced the Holomua Marine Initiative to effectively manage Hawai’i’s nearshore waters by partnering with communities to implement traditional management practices and knowledge with guidance from fishers, cultural and scientific experts, and community leaders.
The Hawai’i Community Foundation manages philanthropic donations that support the Holomua Marine Initiative and the communities engaged in nearshore marine management efforts. HCF’s role is to develop and administer a pooled field of interest fund to support robust implementation of the Initiative, which includes providing grants and contracts to strengthen state, community, and nonprofit organizations’ capacity to engage in this critical work. To date, more than $6M has been awarded since the inception of the pooled fund in 2020.
