Kaulunani Community Partnership seeks grant recipients
Organizations across Hawaii are encouraged to apply for Kaulunani Community Partnership Grants to support projects that protect and enhance our urban and community trees and forests.
Eligible applicants include community groups, schools, private organizations, and government agencies. Project examples can range from tree planting and tree care, developing technological tools for urban and community forestry or supporting professional development, and education and public outreach.
“Urban forests are critical for supporting socio-ecological health and resilience within the context of a changing climate,” said Dr. Heather McMillen, Hawaii’s Urban Forester and Kaulunani Program Coordinator. “In order to realize the full potential of these benefits, we need to expand urban forest areas and increase tree canopy coverage across Hawaii. Investing in our urban forests improves human health while also raising awareness and knowledge of trees so community members can better maintain them. The Community Partnership grant funding aims to identify and empower community-driven solutions to these issues.”
Applications are sought from across Hawaii for project support of between $5,000 and $20,000. Applicants should demonstrate the principles of equity, access, and environmental justice in project partnerships. The deadline to submit proposals is July 20, 2023 at 11:59pm (HST). Awards will be announced on August 14. The total amount available for this round of grants is $100,000.
Grant Application: cognitoforms.com/HawaiiDivisionOfForestryAndWildlife/KaulunaniCommunityGrants2023
Visit Kaulunani Grant Program Webpage: dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/lap/kaulunani/grants/
For more information, please contact Dr. Heather McMillen at: heather.l.mcmillen@hawaii.gov.
Kanu o ka Aina New Century Public Charter School awarded $150,000 grant
Waimea — Kanu o ka Aina New Century Public Charter School (KANU) has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to support unmet facility needs.
Kanu is blessed to be one of the 17 Hawaiian-focused charter schools awarded $3,000,000 over the next two school years to support unmet facility needs. Though charter schools are public schools that are not allowed to charge tuition, charter students are dramatically underfunded. This project aligns with OHA’s strategic direction of educational pathways by supporting education through a Hawaiian language medium and focused charter schools. The project also aligns with the strategic outcome of adequately resourcing Hawaiian-focused charter schools and Hawaiian-medium schools, including the funding of transportation, special education, facilities, meals and availability of qualified teachers.
The purpose of KANU is to provide students of Hawaiian ancestry, and all who honor the ways of our Hawaiian kupuna, with an equal opportunity to quality education that addresses their distinctive cultural learning styles. As a community-based learning ohana, KANU is steadfast in cultivating compassionate, empowered, highly competent learners of all ages, grounded in Native Hawaiian culture and language. KANU’s mission is to kulia i ka nuu, or strive for the highest. A philosophy of excellence guides KANU to collectively design, implement, and continuously evaluate a quality, culturally driven, intergenerational Hawaiian model of education with aloha.
“OHA has supported KANU since inception, and without their support, KANU would not be the institution it is today,” said Taffi Wise, chief business officer. “We are so thankful they continue to understand the disparity our children face and walk steadfastly with us as we advocate for systemic change.”
For more information about the community grants program, visit https://www.oha.org/grants.
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