H.T. Hayashi Foundation Announces $277,500 in Grant Funding to Support Keiki and Culture
At its September board meeting, the H.T. Hayashi Foundation awarded $277,500 in total grant funding to six local organizations supporting keiki and Hawaii’s culture and the arts. These recent awards bring the 2020 Foundation grant distribution total to more than $667,000 going to local community organizations making a positive difference across the state.
“We are humbled by the opportunity to support and partner with organizations who are navigating the biggest economic crisis the state has ever faced; while continuing to work hard at creating lasting change in Hawaii. These six organizations focus on the education of our keiki and the perpetuation of art and culture as sources of knowledge, comfort, and strength during hard times and beyond,” said Jan Harada, executive director of the H.T. Hayashi Foundation. “As our state faces additional challenges this year, we are focusing our funding on helping nonprofits plan strategically, build capacity, and lift up our communities, to see a healthier and happier Hawaii post-pandemic.”
Kalihi Palama Culture & Arts Society (KPCAS) was awarded $50,000 to support its Kumu Archive Project (KUMAP), with the option of three additional years of funding at $50,000 each year, as the project progresses. Working with the Hawaii State Archives, KPCAS plans to archive over 100 years of first-person hula knowledge and history, digitizing the collection and making it accessible on an open-source platform. All of this incredible knowledge will be available for free, existing as a resource for keiki and community, helping to perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture, practices, traditions, music, and language for generations to come.
Make-A-Wish Hawaii received $12,500 to grant life-changing wishes to keiki in Hawaii with critical illnesses, with the option of two additional years of funding at $12,500 each year as the relationship develops. This funding will support the wishes of keiki who are from low-income or at-risk households, including youth in the foster care system.
Nature Activities for Learning and Understanding (NALU) Studies Program received $50,000 to implement a program that helps at-risk youth experience educational enrichment in marine science, biology, and ecology. Through NALU Studies, students receive college-level hands-on learning in cultural settings and guidance and mentoring throughout the program. The STEM and real-world opportunities that NALU Studies provides has become even more vital and relevant as COVID-19 continues to significantly impact youth education.
Read To Me International was awarded $10,000 to support reading programs that serve keiki in the Nanakuli and Waianae communities. The organization provides parent-coaching, family engagement, and community outreach to help children succeed in and out of the classroom.
Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) was awarded a second-year grant of $130,000 to support its Learning and Engagement Department. The specific focus of the Foundation’s multi-year support of HoMA is to provide access to art for Hawaii’s keiki. The Foundation has a particular interest in supporting access to art in low-income, rural, and otherwise at-risk communities. In these instances, keiki are not often able to experience the positive impact art can have on their education, their social and emotional well-being, and their success as adults in the future. The Foundation believes that art can be a part of what helps our keiki navigate these challenging times and a part of what can help heal our communities.
Special Olympics Hawaii was awarded a second-year grant of $25,000. The nonprofit continues to meet the needs of more than 4,700 young athletes with disabilities on every island. They do so through passionate teams of staff, volunteers, and unified partners. At a time when individuals and youth with disabilities may feel incredibly isolated, Special Olympics has stepped up in a big way to do everything they can to fill a void in socialization and inter-personal connection for many who rely on the organization for human connection outside of just their households.