OHA Awards $7.4M To 27 Projects

OHA News Release

The Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiians Affairs voted to award $7.4 million in grants to 27 community-based projects to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians. Almost 4,400 Native Hawaiians are expected to directly benefit from the projects addressing OHA priorities such as battling obesity, improving middle and high school test scores and increasing housing stability.

In addition, thousands more are expected to indirectly benefit from projects to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and to manage Hawaiian resources sustainably. The grants will fund OHA priorities over a two-year period beginning July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2017. The 27 grantees were selected from 149 proposals that were submitted to OHA.

“These programs will ensure Native Hawaiians are able to be competitive in the 21st century,” said OHA Chair Robert Lindsey, Jr. “The grant money will help our most vulnerable Native Hawaiians access stable housing, find employment and improve their education. This is a small investment with a large impact on our community.”

Two organizations on Molokai were awarded funding.

Kualapu`u Public Conversion Charter School received $270,512 for Project Pu`olo. The program will work to reduce the rate of childhood obesity in students in grades K-6 and empower students and families in making positive health choices through a school-based initiative that integrates physical activity, health and nutrition education, and family engagement with in-school student support and clinical health services.

Ka Honua Momona International was awarded $200,000. The purpose of this project is to return momona (health and abundance) to the land and people of Molokai through the community-based restoration of two ancient Hawaiian fishponds.

Other funded programs will benefit Molokai along with other islands, such as Kohe Malamalama o Kanaloa – Protect Kaho`olawe Fund, which received $129,100. I Ola Kanaloa will strengthen the cultural identity and engagement of Native Hawaiian haumana, hui, and `ohana on Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu and Kauai by providing them the opportunity to connect with, honor and care for the `aina and cultural sites; revitalize cultural relationships; and learn cultural practices and protocols through Kaho`olawe.