Hope for Kids ʻEkahi

In June 2009, a cohort of nonprofit partners in Hawaiʻi was convened. Partners worked with children to promote resiliency, develop life skills and instill environmental stewardship.
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Hope for Kids ʻElua

In June 2016, a new cohort of partners, all committed to bringing hope to children through delivering ʻāina-based education was convened.
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Hope for Kids ʻEkolu

With a goal of all kids in Hawaiʻi having access to high quality ʻāina-based education opportunities, Hope for Kids ʻEkolu launched in January 2024.
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Hope For Kids

OVERVIEW

In 2008, when Hau‘oli Mau Loa Foundation was first considering how it would develop its grantmaking program focused on children, the board and staff of the Foundation heard multiple times from a range of experts who work with children in Hawai‘i that too many of our children lack hope. This sounded an alarm for us, especially because our benefactor sought to expand opportunities for children to build hope. So we explored what might instill hope in our children. That was the beginning of the Hope for Kids Initiative.

Implementing the Initiative with Partners

BACKGROUND

The Foundation established Hope for Kids to expand opportunities for children in Hawaiʻi to build hope and a positive future. In the first phase, ʻEkahi (One) which started in June 2009, a learning cohort of ten nonprofit partners in Hawaiʻi was convened. The Partners, who also received multi-year funding from the Foundation, were all working with children in programs that promote resiliency, develop life skills and instill a sense of environmental stewardship.

Upon reflecting on the first six years of work, including talking with the ʻEkahi Partners, reviewing the videos they created with Palikū Documentary Films, and the evaluation findings they developed together with Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL), the Foundation concluded that its work was not done and it would continue Hope for Kids with a second phase, ʻElua (Two). The Foundation began ʻElua on June 1, 2016 with nine partners. These nine ʻElua Partners, like the ten ʻEkahi Partners, are committed to bringing hope to children through delivering ʻāina-based education.

Upon completion of ‘Elua in May 2022, the Foundation again began a process of reflection and review for its next phase of work under Hope for Kids. Hope for Kids ‘Ekolu (Three) launched in January 2024 with support for nine ʻāina-based organizations across Hawaiʻi.

The Foundation's definition of ʻāina-based education is based on work done by Dr. Brandon Ledward and adapted by the Foundation to mean: Learning in a cultural context through and from the ʻāina, or that which feeds and sustains us – the land, sea, and air. An initial pilot evaluation report, based on the work of six of the ‘Elua partners, and prepared by Dr. Anna Ah Sam, was released in late 2019. It illustrates the theories underlying the work of the ‘Elua partners as well as the outcomes and measurable indicators of progress. Equally important, it provides information about the data collection methods employed by each partner. A subsequent interim evaluation report was prepared by Dr. Ah Sam with significant input from all Partners in early 2022 which summarizes work done and adaptations made during the COVID pandemic. A final report, also prepared by Dr. Ah Sam with substantial contributions from Partners, was completed in early 2023.

Partners

ʻAha Pūnana Leo

*Funding relationship was completed in 2016
Language Nest Preschools

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Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi

*Funding relationship was completed in 2022
Advancement of the local community

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Ka‘ala Farm, Inc.

*Funding relationship was completed in 2016
Educational and personal development experiences

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Friends of the Future | Nā Kahumoku

*Funding relationship was completed in 2016
Environmental Youth Leadership

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Hui Mālama O Ke Kai Foundation

*Funding relationship was completed in 2016
Cultivating pride and leadership

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Ka Honua Momona International

*Funding relationship was completed in 2016
Sustainability mauka and makai

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Hoa ʻĀina O Mākaha

*Funding relationship was completed in 2016
Creating Peaceful Communities

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The Kohala Center

*Funding relationship was completed in 2016
Educational and research programs

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Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services | Hoʻoulu ʻĀina

*Funding relationship was completed in 2016
A welcoming place of refuge

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Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke

*Funding relationship was completed in 2016
Youth construction program

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Waipā Foundation

*Funding relationship was completed in 2016
Cultural and ahupua‘a learning center

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Hoʻokuaʻāina

*Funding relationship was completed in 2022
Life skills through kalo cultivation

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Kahua Paʻa Mua, Inc.

*Funding relationship was completed in 2022
Natural Farming Learning Lab

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Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy

*Funding relationship was completed in 2022
Traditional Hawaiian navigation

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Mālaʻai – The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School

*Funding relationship was completed in 2022
Outdoor living classroom

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MAʻO – Waiʻanae Community Redevelopment Corporation

*Funding relationship was completed in 2022
Working towards food sustainability

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Paepae o Heʻeia

*Funding relationship was completed in 2022
Dedicated to caring for He‘eia Fishpond

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Papahana Kuaola

*Funding relationship was completed in 2022
Mālama ʻāina based learning

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RISE- Keaukaha One Youth Development

*Funding relationship was completed in 2022
A community resource bank in Hilo

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Office of Hawaiian Education

*Funding relationship was completed in 2022
Increasing visibility and value for Hawaiian education approaches.

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Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili (huiMAU)

Re-establishing systems that sustain the community

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Laʻiʻōpua 2020

Provides social, recreational, vocational, economic, educational and cultural opportunities and infrastructure to the communities of the Kealakehe Ahupuaʻa

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