Past Events

We host regular learning circles on relevant and progressive topics in philanthropy, along with other events, both in-person and virtual. Any recorded events will be shared here for easy reference and viewing.

The OG Impact Investing Tool: PRIs, Municipal Bonds, and Other Innovative Financial Instruments in Philanthropy | April 18, 2024

In this learning call, we discussed how philanthropy can play a role in municipal and state budgets. In this time of budget shortfalls and high budget needs, PRIs and municipal Bonds are important impact investment tools as it funds local projects that improve communities and fund essential services.

Zoila Jennings joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2021, bringing her career focus on social justice and poverty alleviation—through targeted community financing—to her work as an impact investments officer.

Ho'i I Ka Pono: 'Āina Restoration as an Act of Reclamation and Kānaka Empowerment | April 5th, 2024

Speakers:

• Carolyn Auweloa, Lahaina Community Land Trust Founding Board Secretary 

• Kapali Keahi, Lahaina Community Land Trust Founding Board Treasurer 

• Tamara Paltin, Lahaina Community Land Trust Founding Board President 

• Mikey Burke, Lahaina Community Land Trust Organizer/Strategist 

• Autumn Ness, Lahaina Community Land Trust Foundational/Policy Support 

• Sara Tekula, Executive Director, Kula Community Watershed Alliance

Mālama Mau I Nā Mamo O Lele: A Dialogue About the Ongoing Needs of Impacted ‘Ohana from a Mental Health Perspective | March 8, 2024

Speakers:

• Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Maui County

• Amy Petersen, Assistant Project Director, Maui Behavioral Health Wildfire Response (MBHWR)

• Jennifer Monaghan, Director, Maui Wildfires Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP), State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services

• Tina Boteilho, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Ahupuaʻa Counseling Services

• Keala Kaopuiki-Santos, Project Manager, State of Hawaiʻi Office of Wellness and Resilience

• Jeeyun Lee, Director of Impact, Maui United Way

• Lawrie Ignacio & Graham Taylor, Licensed Clinical Psychologists and Co-Founders of Hawaii Pro Bono Mental Health Center

• Justina Acevedo-Cross, Program Director, Hawaii Community Foundation

Maui Long-Term Recovery | Funder Hui Public Briefing | February 9, 2024

Speakers included: Keanu LauHee, Maui County; Lauren Nahme, Hawaii Community Foundation; Naʻalehu Anthony, Aloha ʻĀina Economic Futures; Amanda Ree, American Red Cross; Alfy Basurto, Lahaina Resident & Rebuild Maui Org Founder; Nicholas Winfrey, Maui United Way; Makalapua Kanuha, Lahaina Community Leader

The Cost of U.S. Militarization in Hawaiʻi: Climate, Housing, and Community Impacts | January 31, 2024

• Christine Ahn is the Founder & Executive Director of Women Cross DMZ, a global movement of women mobilizing to end the Korean War and ensure women’s leadership in peace building.

• Neta Crawford is Montague Burton Chair in International Relations at Oxford University. She was elected a member of both the British Academy and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2023. She received the Distinguished Scholar award from the International Ethics section of the International Studies Association in 2018.

• Kyle Kajihiro is a founding member of HPJ and is actively engaged in efforts to demilitarize the Pacific for more than 30 years. As a lecturer at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa he teaches classes in Ethnic Studies and Geography and Environment.

The Future of Trauma-Informed Care in Hawaiʻi | December 18, 2023

Assistant Professor in the Office of Public Health Studies, Lorinda Riley, joins Director of the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Tia Hartsock, to discuss the future of trauma-informed care in Hawaiʻi, highlighting the importance of restorative justice and community healing.

Participatory Grantmaking: Pitfalls & Possibilities | November 21, 2023

This learning circle was titled Participatory Grantmaking… Pitfalls & Possibilities | A Conversation with Melinda Tuan and Katy Love from Fund for Shared Insight.

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | November 17, 2023

Act I: Urgent Updates

Speakers: Thomas O’Sullivan, FEMA Region IX, Deputy Federal Disaster Recovery Officer, FEMA; Kelsey A. Anderson MA, MPH, CPH, Readiness Branch Program Analyst | Office of Policy & Analysis | Field Operations Directorate, FEMA; Marybeth Chin, Maui County Councilmembers Tamara Paltin & Keani Rawlins-Fernandez Diane Peters-Nguyen, American Red Cross of Hawaiʻi Lawrie Ignacio & Graham Taylor, Licensed Clinical Psychologists, Co-Founders of Hawaii Pro Bono Mental Health Center

Act II: Hō‘ale Ka Lepo Popolo: Building an ‘Āina-Centered and People-Powered Movement

Speakers: Micky Huihui, Hawaiʻi People’s Fund; Davis Price, NDN Collective; Naalehu Anthony and Ikaika Hussey, ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures; Paʻele Kiakona, President of Save Honolua Coalition and Lahaina Strong Organizer

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | November 3, 2023

Act I: Urgent Updates
Speakers: Maui County Councilmembers Tamara Paltin & Keani Rawlins-Fernandez; Bobby Pahia, Maui Kalo Farmer

Act II: Wilia I Lei Hānai: Weaving Together Narratives of Immigrant ‘Ohana Resilience
Speakers: Josie Howard, Executive Director of We are Oceania; Veronica Mendoza Jachowski, Executive Director of Roots Reborn; Serlinda, Voices of Micronesia of Maui (VoMOM); Ana Malafu, Tongan community leader; Philios Uruman, Chuukese community leader; Nadine Ortega, Tagnawa for Maui; Liza Ryan-Gill, Co-Coordinator, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights

Redefining Community Learning Circle | October 31, 2023

This Learning Circle featured Dr. Akiemi Glenn, the Executive Director of Pōpolo Project. The Pōpolo Project is a Hawai‘i-based nonprofit organization that redefines what it means to be Black in Hawai‘i and in the world through cultivating radical reconnection to ourselves, our community, our ancestors, and the land, changing what we commonly think of as Local and highlighting the vivid, complex diversity of Blackness. Dr. Glenn is the Founder and Executive Director of the Pōpolo Project, a nonprofit organization that engages concepts of culture, race, and belonging through the convergence of African and Pacific diasporas in Hawaiʻi, working at the intersections of art, social justice, and education.

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | October 27, 2023

Act I: Urgent Updates
Speakers: Summer Sylva, Senior Advisor for Native Hawaiian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior / FEMA; Maui County Councilmembers Tamara Paltin & Keani Rawlins-Fernandez

Act II: "‘O Ke Ali‘i Ka ‘Āina: Moving Toward A More Balanced, Safe, and Sustainable Energy Future"
Speakers: Josh Stanbro, Elemental Excelerator; Karen Irwin, EPA Sustainability Advisor; John Cheever, Director of Project Empower and Senior Commercial Project Developer at Revolusun; Jennifer Potter, Partner in #PowerBack Project, and former PUC Commissioner; Mark Glick, Chief Energy Officer, Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (HSEO); Sebastian Selarque & Ikaika Hussey, Shake Energy Collaborative; Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Updates on Sustainable Molokai; Alexis Ziegler, Living Energy Lights

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | October 20, 2023

Act I: Urgent Updates
Speakers: Chris Schuler, UH WRRC; Matt Jachowski, Maui Hale Match; Ben Nishimoto & Mariko Chang, Civil Beat; Cody Lang & Joe Banks, Kai Hohonu; Diane Peters-Nguyen, Red Cross

Act II: Ka ‘Ai Kamaha‘o O Ka ‘Āina: Rebuilding Farming and Food Systems to Reclaim Ancestral Abundance
Speakers: Pomai Weigert , GoFarm; Autumn Ness, Maui Food Hub; Kaipo Kekona, Hawaii Farmers Union United; Kalisi Mausio, Project Kanu; Darren Strand, President, Maui Gold

Advocacy in Philanthropy Learning Circle | October 19, 2023

Joey Hentzler, Program Manager at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, will present on MAZON's federal anti-hunger work on the Farm Bill, primarily the Nutrition title, which funds SNAP and many other programs.

The 2018 Farm Bill expires September 30th and Congress is already working on the 2023 package for the next five years. The farm bill cycle is like the Olympics of the anti-hunger world because it includes the nutrition title funding a host of programs like SNAP.

This talk covers why advocacy is important generally, what’s up with the Farm Bill / federal legislation, and what’s happening in Hawaii around food access in the state legislature. We will touch on the value of advocacy, how to fund it, and how to engage in it both locally and nationally as funders.

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | October 13, 2023

Act I: Urgent Updates
Councilmember Tamara Paltin; Diane Peters-Nguyen, Red Cross

Act II: Ho‘opakele I Ke Ola: Mitigating Environmental Toxins to Promote Protection, Healing, and Life for ‘Āina and People
Speakers included: Kaipo Kekona, Maui Bioremediation Group; Ekolu Lindsey, Maui Cultural Lands; Scott Crawford and Kim Falinski, The Nature Conservancy and the All Hands Environmental Research & Response Group To Address Post-Fire Impacts to Lahaina, Maui; John Starmer, Chief Scientist for Maui Nui Marine Resource Council; Tamara Li Farnsworth, The Nature Conservancy; Andrew Whelton PhD - Professor at Purdue

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | October 6, 2023

Act I: Urgent Updates
Kalikolehua Storer, Lāhainā ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i Immersion Program; Cheri Souza, Stupski Foundation; Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez & Councilmember Tamara Paltin; Kayla Shaw, local ‘ohana caring for displaced ‘ohana ; Kahala Durrett Pratt, Maui Relief Storage Facility, MOKA INC.

Act II: Ke Wehe Nei Ke Alaula: Forging Compassionate Educational Pathways for Displaced Teachers and Students
Speakers included: Roxana Hollifield, Kūlanihāko’i; Miki Tomita, Education Incubator; Matt Zitello, Hawaiʻi Technology Academy

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | September 29, 2023

Ho‘opakele I Ke Ola: Mitigating Environmental Toxins to Promote Protection, Healing, and Life for ‘Āina and People

Speakers for Urgent Updates included: Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez and Councilmember Tamara Paltin; DHHL Maui Commissioner Randy Awo; Diane Peters-Nguyen, American Red Cross; Lisa Maruyama, HANO. Speakers for "Hānai I Ka Punawai Ola: Nurturing Resilience and Wellbeing Through Transformative Healing Practices" included: Momi Awo and Leni English, Hui Ho‘omalu; Ku‘ulei Maunupau, KAEHU and Native Hawaiian Philanthropy; Tia Hartsock, Director, State of Hawaii Office of Wellness & Resilience; Bryan Talisayan, Mental Health of America.

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | September 22, 2023

Kōkua Aku, Kōkua Mai: Intrastate Knowledge Sharing | Lessons Learned in California

Speakers included: Jovanni Tricerri, North Valley Community Foundation; Abby Browning, California Office of Emergency Services; Alena Wall, Kaiser Permanente; Samantha Sandoval, Latino Community Foundation; Gina Zottola, Humboldt Area Foundation; and Laura Seaman, League of California Community Foundations. With urgent on-the-ground updates from Maui from: Autumn Ness; Diane Peters-Nguyen, Red Cross; and Aunty Nettie & Leihuanani, Nā Kia’i O Maui.

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | September 15, 2023

Kūkulu Hou I Ka Malu O Ka ‘Ulu: Restoring Hope through Community-Centered Housing & Redevelopment.
Speakers for on-the-ground updates included: Andrea Hernandez Rodriguez, PhD, Maui Mālama Organizer Fund; Darryl Oliveira, Interim Director, Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA); Tamara Paltin, Maui County Councilmember; and Keani Rawlins, Maui County Councilmember. Speakers for the Housing-themed portion of the call included: Keoni Kuoha, Community & Economy Sector Director, Hawai'i Community Foundation; Jeff Gilbreath, Executive Director, Hawai'i Community Lending; and Kimo Carvalho, Executive Director, HomeAid Hawai'i.

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | September 8, 2023

The 5th funder briefing was held on September 8 on the Maui Fire Crisis. Several speakers with on-the-ground updates shared the latest. We also had a thematic discussion that followed titled: "Ka Poli Aloha O Ka ‘Ohana: Embracing the Role of Women and Families in the Healing Journey" with a slate of speakers included.

Maui Fires: Emergency Briefing for Funders | September 1, 2023

The 4th funder briefing was held on September 1 on the Maui Fire Crisis. Several speakers with on-the-ground updates shared the latest. We also had a thematic discussion that followed on ʻĀina-Based Practices for Fire Prevention with a slate of speakers included. Please email us at kokua@funderhui.org with any follow-ups or questions on this briefing or issue as it relates to funding.

Maui Fire Crisis: Emergency Briefing for Funders | August 25, 2023

The 3rd funder briefing was held on August 25 on the Maui Fire Crisis. Several speakers from the philanthropic sector along with those on the ground in Maui and distributing food and other resources shared the latest. We also had a thematic discussion that followed on stopping land grabs from both local speakers and those with experience from the continent. Please email us at kokua@funderhui.org with any follow-ups or questions on this briefing or issue as it relates to funding.

Maui Fire Crisis: Emergency Briefing for Funders | August 18, 2023

The 2nd funder briefing was held on August 18 on the Maui Fire Crisis. Several speakers from the philanthropic sector along with those on the ground in Maui and distributing food and other resources shared the latest. Please email us at kokua@funderhui.org with any follow-ups or questions on this briefing or issue as it relates to funding.

Maui Fire Crisis: Emergency Briefing for Funders | August 11, 2023

An emergency funder briefing was held on August 11 in the days following the Maui Fire Crisis. Several speakers from the philanthropic sector along with those on the ground in Maui and distributing food and other resources shared the latest. Please email us at kokua@funderhui.org with any follow-ups or questions on this briefing or issue as it relates to funding.

ChatGPT & Philanthropy | June 8, 2023

A Funder Hui Learning Circle from June 2023 featuring John Nash, associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies at University of Kentucky. He has 30 years of experience in leadership development, strategy design, and social science research. Nash is the author of the book, "Design Thinking in Education: A Leader's Guide to Collaborating for Improvement," published by Harvard Education Press. He is the founder of UK’s Laboratory on Design Thinking (affectionately known as the “dLab”).

This call was moderated by Marisa Hayase, the Managing Director of Hawaii Programs at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

MAZON's Approach to Fighting Hunger in Hawaii and Beyond | May 18, 2023

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger shares their unique approach to fighting hunger in Hawaiʻi and beyond. MAZON has funded four Hawaiʻi nonprofits to fight hunger through advocacy & public policy. Our speakers include: Joey Hentzler, Program Manager at MAZON and Kina Mahi, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships at Hawaiʻi Foodbank.

Piʻikea Miller moderated this conversation.

Leveraging DAFs and Foundations for Social Enterprise Success | April 26, 2023

On April 26, 2023, we hosted a learning call on Leveraging DAFs and Foundations for Social Enterprise Success. Speakers included Mary Spadaro from Slow Money Hawaii, Claire Sullivan from Farm Link Hawaiʻi, and Matt Eldridge and Luni Libes from Realize Impact.

Engaging Local Donors Toward Impact | March 23, 2023

Carrie Ostroski from Dorrance Family Foundation shared about their work to actively engage their community, from subject matter experts on environmental issues to new local donors in Hawaiʻi. This hands-on approach from a funder has had great results and models the power of the philanthropic sector using their resources to convene key stakeholders and encourage investment in important issues.

Trust-Based Philanthropy Learning Circle | February 27, 2023

We partnered with Trust-Based Philanthropy Project to host this Learning Circle about the barriers to and benefits of trust-based philanthropy practices for Hawaiʻi grantmakers and grantees alike. Speakers included Chantias Ford of Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, Suzanne Geary of The Healy Foundation, and Funder Hui’s Co-Founder and Consulting Director Ashley Lukens.

Nonprofit Sector Talent Drain Learning Circle | January 24, 2023

We held a learning circle on this topic on January 24, 2023 featuring Kathy Reich from the Ford Foundation. We discussed the issues of talent retention, compensation, and more in the nonprofit sector and ways the philanthropic sector can facilitate solutions to these issues.

Collaborative Housing Solutions Learning Circle | December 12, 2022

On December 13, 2022, Funder Hui hosted a Learning Circle on Collaborative Housing Solutions for Hawaiʻi, with speakers Laura Thielen from Partners in Care Oʻahu, Heather Piper from Hawaiʻi Community Reinvestment Corporation, and Darrell Young, from the City & County of Honolulu. They talked about their work to provide housing to populations in need.

Media & Philanthropy Learning Circle | December 5, 2022

On December 5, 2022, Funder Hui hosted a Learning Circle on Media & Philanthropy highlighting speaker Nina Sachdev from Media Impact Funders, along with Ben Nishimoto from Civil Beat. We discussed the importance of philanthropy in supporting local news and investigative journalism for a healthier, more honest, and accountable community.

Common App Panel Discussion | November 14, 2022

On November 14th, 2022, we held a panel discussion at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation office downtown. The topic was on the concept of a Common App, which is an equitable solution to relieve burden on both grant makers and grantees. Our panelists included Iara Peng, Founder and CEO of JustFund and Molly Shultz Hafid, the Executive Director of the Butler Family Fund.

What School Could Be Panel Discussion | October 18, 2022

This in-person panel discussion took place at Entrepreneur’s Sandbox in Kakaako and was co-hosted by Funder Hui, HVCA, and What School Could Be. Panelists included Ted Dintersmith (What School Could Be), Mark Loughridge (Punahou), John Allen III (Searider Productions), Susan Yamada (Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship), and Ian Kitajima (Oceanit).

Ancestral Practice as Modern Innovation Learning Circle | October 11, 2022

On October 11, 2022, we hosted a Learning Circle in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day featuring Kamuela Enos on the topic of Ancestral Practice as Modern Innovation. Kamuela Enos is the Director of the Office of Indigenous Innovation for the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation for University of Hawai’i System.

Criminal Justice & Philanthropy Learning Circle | September 27, 2022

On September 27, 2022, Eddy Zheng, the Founder and President of the New Breath Foundation, presented about his work on trust-based philanthropy in the criminal justice space. Eddy was imprisoned for 21 years for crimes he committed when he was 16. Jamee Miller, who is the co-founder of ʻEkolu Mea Nui, whose mission is to transform Hawai‘i’s justice system through Native Hawaiian cultural practices and values, also joined us. Co-moderated by Abigail Perrin, Executive Director of Nuestro Futuro Foundation and Ashley Lukens, Co-Founder and Director of Funder Hui.

Youth Justice & Healing Learning Circle | June 28, 2022

On June 28, 2022, Funder Hui hosted a Learning Circle on Youth Justice and Healing featuring Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni, the President & CEO of Partners in Development Foundation. Many youth in Hawaiʻi are at-risk, suffer from poverty, and are funneled through our criminal justice system. Kawailoa Youth & Family Center provides a youth-centered, community sanctuary to be a solution to this problem. Moderated by Dawn Mahi of Consuelo Foundation, who is also a member of our Advisory Board.

Gun Safety in Hawaiʻi | June 15, 2022

With the spike in gun violence around the nation, Funder Hui co-hosted this event with the UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, featuring Maya Soetoro-Ng from Seeds of Peace, Erica Yamauchi from Moms Demand Action, Senator Chris Lee from the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, and Chris Marvin from Everytown for Gun Safety.

Equitable Evaluation Workshop | May 31, 2022

On May 31, 2022, Funder Hui hosted a Learning Circle on Equitable Evaluation. The event was a workshop-style call, with Joyce Lee-Ibarra facilitating and presenting.

Environmental Justice & Indigenous Leadership | April 21, 2022

On April 21, 2022, Funder Hui and Environmental Funders Group collaborated to host a Learning Circle on Environmental Justice & Indigenous Leadership for Earth Day. Our speakers included Puni Jackson, Hoʻoulu ‘Āina Director, Lala Nuss, and Te Maia Wiki, a 16 year old youth activist. Our moderator was Noelani Lee from the Environmental Funders Group.

What’s the Deal with Spending Down? | February 22, 2022

Funder Hui hosted our February Learning Call on Spending Down featuring Kat Gilje of Ceres Trust and Cuong Hoang of Mott Philanthropic.

Nonprofit Sector Pulse Survey Results Review | January 21, 2022

On Friday January 21, Funder Hui hosted this virtual event to review the results of the 2021 Nonprofit Sector Pulse Survey. Speakers included Lisa Maruyama from Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO) and Keoni Lee from Hawaiʻi Investment Ready (HIR), along with Data Consultant Sena Sanjines from S2D.

The report highlights trends in funding, staffing and organizational capacity changes for nonprofits. Key takeaways and insights for the sector were shared, as well as implications for 2022. This was a follow up survey to the extensive one conducted in 2020.

Link here for the slides shared. Link here for Oʻahu Back to Work, a 1-pager on an initiative led by UH and the City & County of Honolulu.

Funding Advocacy Learning Circle | January 10, 2022

On January 10, 2022, Funder Hui hosted a Learning Circle on Funding Advocacy. Speakers included Kate Lloyd, Hugh Jones and Jocelyn Herbert. Moderated by Lisa Maruyama.

Red Hill Informational Briefing | December 10, 2021

On December 10, 2021, Funder Hui hosted this Red Hill Informational Briefing for funders, given the ongoing crisis for Hawaiʻi's drinking water and environment from the Navy's Red Hill fuel tanks.

Future of Tourism | November 3, 2021

The Case for Unrestricted Funding | September 28, 2021

Community Needs & Concerns for COVID-19 | August 23, 2021

Participatory Grantmaking | June 30, 2021

Harold K.L. Castle Foundation & DEI Work in Philanthropy | May 25, 2021