Past Events
Environmental Justice and Thriving Communities | November 7, 2024
Maka spoke about public funding opportunities that RLF is promoting in Hawai‘i to ensure that our local nonprofit and community organizations benefit. It’s no secret that public funding overwhelmingly favors large, well-resourced organizations that have the staff and resources to persevere through cumbersome federal grant requirements. RLF is part of a collaboration helping to administer the U.S. EPA Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, which promises to be a critical source of funding for organizations to improve climate resilience, disaster preparedness, food access, water quality, and much more.
The Waiverse: Fresh Water Learning Circle Series–Recharge Strategies in Hawaiʻi | October 30, 2024
"The Waiverse" is a webinar series focused on Fresh Water in Hawaii. This was the final webinar of the series and it is focused on fresh water recharge strategies. The final webinar in the Fresh Water Series highlights the role of watershed partnerships and community-led efforts in safeguarding Hawai‘i’s water resources. From stormwater management to green infrastructure, this session will explore innovative collaborations between government agencies, nonprofits, and community leaders, ensuring long-term resilience and water security.
Panelists:
Randall Wakumoto, Storm Water Quality Division Program Administrator, City & County of Honolulu
Cheyenne Hiapo Perry, Coordinator of Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance
Walter Ritte, Founder and Resident Kupuna, ʻĀina Momona
Kaleo Manuel (moderator), Director of Water Resources at Kamehameha Schools; former Deputy Director, Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resource Management
This series is brought to you by HCF’s Natural Environment Team in partnership with Kamehameha Schools and co-hosted by Funder Hui. The intention is to uplift local community water stories, deepen understanding of how the wai (water) flows in Hawai’i and identify strategies for philanthropic impact.
Our Children's Trust Update | September 11, 2024
We hosted an in-person gathering featuring Andrea Rodgers, the Deputy Director of U.S. Strategy for Our Children’s Trust about the historic climate victory in Hawaiʻi that resulted from the Navahine v HDOT settlement.
Co-hosted by Funder Hui and Hawaii Leadership Forum.
Mothers and Unconditional Cash Learning Circle | September 4, 2024
Launched in New York in 2021, The Bridge Project provides mothers and their babies with regular, unconditional cash assistance. By investing directly and flexibly in early childhood, the program aims to break the cycle of stress and poverty passed down through generations, and enhance socioeconomic mobility of families. Their goal is to build a foundation for prosperity that transcends generations. Through trust, cash and community, the Bridge Project now supports over 1,200 mothers across New York in tackling child poverty. Milwaukee is the first location beyond New York State introducing The Bridge Project to its residents.
In this Funder Hui call, we learn from Gina Stilp, Zilber Family Foundation's Executive Director, about the theory of change underpinning these investment, the journey to get there, and what the goals of the program are.
The Waiverse: Fresh Water Learning Circle Series – Reuse Strategies | August 28, 2024
Our panel of Waiverse Super-Stewards shares their personal water stories and navigates us through the currents of critical water reuse strategies across the islands. We'll plunge into traditional reuse approaches, emerging technologies, water quality management, and innovative water reuse practices in agriculture and cesspool conversion.
Participants: Facilitated by Kaleo Manuel with Tereariʻi Chandler, Stevie Whalen, and Roger Babcock
Co-hosted by Funder Hui, Hawaii Community Foundation, and Kamehameha Schools' Āina Pauahi Program.
Hoʻolei Ka ‘Upena: Elevating Maui’s Narratives of Resiliency and Healing | August 2, 2024
In light of the 1st anniversary of the Maui fires, we hosted a discussion addressing the nuanced emotional landscape of disaster anniversaries. This session delves into the phases of disaster recovery, with a focus on the impactful effects and strategies for navigating its emotional triggers.
Speakers Providing Context Updates:
-Tamara Paltin, Maui County Councilmember
-Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Maui County Councilmember
-Autumn Rae Ness, Lahaina Community Land Trust
Speakers for the Thematic Discussion:
-Bill Coy, Senior Coach and Action Learning Curator, Hawaii Leadership Forum
-Amy Carol Dominguez, Program Director, Vibrant Emotional Health’s Crisis Emotional Health Team
-Michele Navarro Ishiki, Founder and Clinical Director, Piha Wellness and Healing
-Keala E. Kaopuiki-Santos, Wellness and Resilience Project Manager, Office of Wellness & Resilience (OWR), State of Hawaiʻi
-Noelani Ahia, Maui Medic Healers Hui
-Nettie Aquino, Nā Kiaʻi O Maui
The Waiverse: Dive into Hawaii’s Water Conservation Strategies | July 17, 2024
HCF’s Natural Environment Team in partnership with Kamehameha Schools Aina Pauahi are developing a four-part webinar series focused on Fresh Water in Hawaii (The Waiverse) designed to be a co-learning experience; weaving in concepts of equity, place (historical power dynamics), culture, climate change, policy and community inclusivity. Participants: Facilitated by Kaleo Manuel with speakers Na’alehu Anthony, Joy Gannon, and Eva Blumenstein.
Intro to the Waiverse: Fresh Water Learning Circle Series | June 20, 2024
A new four-part webinar series, "The Waiverse," focused on Fresh Water in Hawaii. This series is brought to you by HCF’s Natural Environment Team in partnership with Kamehameha Schools Aina Pauahi and co-hosted by Funder Hui.
The intention is to uplift local community water stories, deepen understanding of how the wai (water) flows in Hawai’i and identify strategies for philanthropic impact.
This first session will provide an overview of Hawai’i’s water systems, touch on efforts to address urgent potable water supply and infrastructure needs and will walk through the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that allocates an unprecedented $50 Million for Hawai’i drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure upgrades.
Panel for the 1st event includes:
-Kaleo Manuel, Director of Water Resources at Kamehameha Schools Aina Pauahi, and former Deputy Director, State of Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resource Management
-Mason Chock, President, Kupu Ae Leadership Development, I Ola Wailuanui Board and former Kaua’i Fireman and former Kauaʻi County Councilmember
-Kā'eo Duarte, Ph.D, Vice President of the Kamehameha Schools 'Āina Pauahi and Chair of Hawai’i Fresh Water Initiative Advisory Council
-Dana Okano, Ph.D, Program Director for Natural Environment & Director of the Hawaiian Islands Environmental Finance Center at
Hawaii Community Foundation
Journalism & Philanthropy Learning Circle | June 17, 2024
Local journalism is facing threats of shrinkage and quality around the nation and world, and philanthropy has a large role to play to prevent this. Journalism is critical to uphold the health of democracy, political and corporate accountability, and community safety.
Speakers included:
Sally Ray, Director of Domestic Funds, Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Ben Nishimoto, VP Operations and Philanthropy, Civil Beat
Mariko Chang, Director of Philanthropy, Civil Beat
Matthew Nagato, Deputy Communications Director, Stupski Foundation
Bill Dorman, Vice President & News Director, Hawaiʻi Public Radio
Kīpuka ‘Ohana: Updates on Housing for Displaced Maui Families | May 3, 2024
This was our final Maui Briefing, which Funder Hui hosted regularly since the August 2023 Maui fires.
Speakers:
Kimo Carvalho, Executive Director, HomeAid Hawaiʻi (to speak first)
Melinda Sweany, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Maui Health Foundation (to speak second)
Amanda Ree, Executive Director, Wildfire Long-Term Recovery, American Red Cross
Darrah Kauhane, Executive Director, Project Vision | Puuhonua o Nene shelter
Todd Apo, Vice President of Community Partnerships & Public Affairs at Hawaii Community Foundation
Saumalu Mataafa, Deputy Director of Housing and Human Concerns, Maui County
Ashley Kelly, Chief Operating Office, Family Life Center
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
This was one of our Maui Briefings, which Funder Hui hosted regularly since the August 2023 Maui fires.
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
This was one of our Maui Briefings, which Funder Hui hosted regularly since the August 2023 Maui fires.
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
This was one of our Maui Briefings, which Funder Hui hosted regularly since the August 2023 Maui fires.
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.