The Hawai'i Pacific Foundation

Hawai’i Pacific Foundation was proud to co-sponsor the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Program of the 2024 FestPAC, held for the first time in Honolulu. YPL is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage, languages, and indigenous knowledge of the Pacific region. The program embraces cultural leadership, youth empowerment and ensures the seamless integration of these invaluable treasures into sustainable development approaches. Mahalo NUI to all the FestPAC organizers, especially our partners at Gravitas Pasifika, LLC, Aaron J. Salā, PhD and C. Makanani Sala, PhD! We also extend our gratitude to Nohea Lileikis, the lead coordinator and organizer of the YPL program. It was an invaluable week, and we are honored to have played a small part in these young leaders' journey.

Hawai’i Pacific Foundation was proud to co-sponsor the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Program of the 2024 FestPAC, held for the first time in Honolulu. YPL is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage, languages, and indigenous knowledge of the Pacific region. The program embraces cultural leadership, youth empowerment and ensures the seamless integration of these invaluable treasures into sustainable development approaches. Mahalo NUI to all the FestPAC organizers, especially our partners at Gravitas Pasifika, LLC, Aaron J. Salā, PhD and C. Makanani Sala, PhD! We also extend our gratitude to Nohea Lileikis, the lead coordinator and organizer of the YPL program. It was an invaluable week, and we are honored to have played a small part in these young leaders' journey.

Congratulations to our SPAARK, Inc. Team!! Exciting News!!

Exciting news!! Congratulations to our SPAARK, Inc. Team!!

Last month, University of Hawaii-West Oahu pulled off their first-ever We Go West event to congratulate and welcome the 140+ graduating high school seniors from Pearl City, Waipahu, Campbell, Kapolei, Wai’anae and Nānākuli high schools who have been accepted to UH West O’ahu. It was a memorable day meant to uplift the haumāna, invite them onto the campus to envision themselves in higher education, and celebrate their accomplishments!🎉 The event was meticulously organized and led by dedicated students who spent the previous three months conducting onsite visits, holding numerous team meetings, making countless phone calls, and preparing late into the night. It truly was a community-centered initiative, with most of the sponsors, partners, and organizations being alumni from the neighboring high schools. As organizer Welaahilani Wahilani expressed, “This event is a testament to our hard work, our university’s commitment to our communities, and the community’s commitment to their families!” Ho’omaika’i to all involved for a very successful and spectacular event! We would like to especially recognize the four outstanding students who were awarded scholarships from The Hawai’i Pacific Foundation. These exceptional seniors will have their first-year tuition at UH West O'ahu fully covered! 🤙🏽

A strong community builds a powerful future. Through The Hawai'i Pacific Foundation’s philanthropic partnership with the East-West Center, we invest in the knowledge, wisdom, and leadership that will guide our communities for years to come.   To learn more and apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/g3A8vSik

Our colleagues from INTERAGENCY READINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC, Echelon Services, LLC , SPAARK, Inc., and Broadleaf Services made their journey from the East Coast to Hawai’i for the 2024 Native Hawaiian Organizations Association Small Business Summit. They were in town for about a week, which left plenty of time for some HPF activities!☀️ On Sunday, we had an office warming with the intention to bless our brand-new, beautiful space in the thriving downtown Honolulu. Mahalo nui to Pastor Elwin Ahu of Metro Christian Church who gave a wonderful, heart-warming blessing❤️ Thursday featured a business meeting where each firm shared updates. We ended the evening with ‘Imi I Ka Mana’o, a professional networking event allowing attendees to engage with our team, forge new connections, and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings🫱🏽🫲🏻 at Waiwai Collective ma Ko’olau. Friday was holoholo day! We visited a few of our partners Kūlaniākea, Kūkolu, Honolulu Fire Explorers, HUI MAHIAI AINA, and Friends of Waimanalo, to showcase to our visitors how their work supports Native Hawaiian communities. We ended the afternoon at Kaiona Beach Park to bask in the warmth, salty air, ocean, and each other’s company. What a remarkable week! We not only engaged in productive discussions but also took the time to appreciate the rich culture Hawai’i has to offer, strengthen connections, and deepen our commitment. As we depart from this vibrant setting, we carry with us not only valuable insights and memories but also a renewed sense of purpose to the foundation and to the communities we serve✨✨ Mahalo to all who made this week a success! Until next year, a hui hou!🤙🏽 Edwin (Skip) Vincent, Walt Kaneakua, Jeanine DeFries

We are looking forward to making connections and thoughtful collaborations at this years Native Hawaiian Organizations Association Small Business Summit!!

Returning home extremely grateful for an enriching two weeks in Virginia and DC, filled with learning, connecting, and collaborating with insightful leaders. Huge thanks to the U.S. Small Business Administration SBA team - Van Tran, Dr. Donna Peebles, John Klein, Alison Amann, Laura Maas, Larry Stubblefield, Jackie Robinson-Burnette - for generously sharing your time and expertise with us. Special appreciation to the Hawaii delegation, House Representatives Jill Tokuda and Ed Case for taking time to meet with us and their team, Mitch Heidenreich, Nick Luna, as well as Senator Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono’s team Ben Strand and Lenna M. Aoki. Thank you for the work that ALL of you do in support of the 8(a) program, it is deeply appreciated! Looking forward to seeing some of you very soon at the Native Hawaiian Organizations Association Conference! Me ka mahalo NUI loa iā Sensei Derek Sakaguchi & Team NHCDC Native Hawaiian Community Development Corporation (NHCDC) The Hawai'i Pacific Foundation Native Hawaiian Community Development Corporation (NHCDC) Native American Contractors Association Native Hawaiian Organizations Association

Congratulations to our Vice-Chairman, Dr. Walt Kaneakua, who was confirmed today by a unanimous vote by the Senate Committee of Hawaiian Affairs, as the newest Commissioner to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands! E ho’omaika’i! #hawaiipacificfoundation #DHHL