top of page
UHF.png

University of Hawai’i Foundation 

Impact Type: Education

Location: Honolulu, Hawai’i

Founded in 1973, the Polynesian Voyaging Society is a non-profit organization based in Honolulu. Their mission is to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential educational programs that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves, each other, and their natural and cultural environments. Through voyaging, PVS hopes to inspire humanity to care for the earth by highlighting the vital importance of oceans, indigenous knowledge, communities, education, and sustainability.

Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge 

Impact Type: Cultural Revitalization

Location: Honolulu, Hawai’i

Hawaiʻinuiākea is dedicated to the study and revitalization of Hawaiian culture, language, and traditions. The school encompasses a broad array of programs and degrees aimed at fostering an understanding of Hawaiian knowledge systems and their relevance in contemporary society. 
 

HPF supports Hawaiʻinuiākea in three different ways. The first is I Hoa Na Moʻolelo, a revitalization of language through story and song. Second is E Mau ke Kumu, an endowment that facilitates the transfer of knowledge from retiring professors to young scholars. Lastly is I ke Aweawe o Kalakaua, which supports two students so that they could attend an academic conference for native and indigenous scholars. 

Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentorship Program 

Impact Type: Economic Stability

Location: Honolulu, Hawai’i

The mission of the Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentorship Program, through the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, College of Engineering, is to provide assistance, opportunities, and community for students to excel in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). 
 

The program strives to increase the advancement, through academic excellence, of underserved students in the field of STEM, reaching out to Native Hawaiian, Polynesian, Alaska Native, and Native American pre-college, community college, undergraduate, and graduate students. 

College-of-Engineering_left2-2.png
LING_logo-RGB-2000x229-1.png

College of Arts, Language, & Letters – Department of Linguistics 

Impact Type: Cultural Revitalization

Location: Honolulu, Hawai’i

The Department of Linguistics is highly regarded, particularly for its focus on Austronesian and Pacific languages, including Hawaiian and other Indigenous languages of the Pacific. The program covers a wide range of linguistic topics, such as language documentation, phonetics, syntax, and sociolinguistics, with a strong emphasis on language revitalization and preservation, especially within Indigenous communities. 
 

One notable aspect of UH Mānoa’s linguistics program is its commitment to research and support for endangered languages. Faculty and students often collaborate on projects that document, analyze, and promote the survival of languages that are at risk. The program offers both MA and PhD degrees, where students gain hands-on experience through fieldwork, working closely with speakers of underrepresented languages, and utilizing cutting-edge research tools. 
 

In 2022, HPF formed a partnership with Linguistics student Noelani Kong-Johnson and her research on the neurological benefits of bilingualism in English and Hawaiian. 

Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health 

Impact Type: Economic Stability & Cultural Revitalization

Location: Honolulu, Hawai’i

The Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health is an educational institution dedicated to training students in social work, public health, and community services. Its curriculum combines classroom learning with field placements and hands-on experience, preparing students to address social issues like health disparities, homelessness, mental health, and family well-being. The school integrates Hawaiian values and perspectives into its programs, reinforcing the importance of cultural understanding in these types of practices. Additionally, the school supports research and community partnerships that contribute to social change and improved health outcomes in Hawai’i and beyond. 
 

HPF supports their Ke A’o Mau program, which focuses on fostering Indigenous approaches to social work and public health. The program is designed to support Native Hawaiian students and other Indigenous groups through culturally grounded education, emphasizing traditional Hawaiian values and community engagement. 

UH TSSW+PH.jpg
8.png
a9772f13440ffc1d1a8e04a211dacddb.jpg

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) 

Impact Type: Land & Resource Stewardship & Cultural Revitalization

Location: Honolulu, Hawai’i

The School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa is a global leader in advancing knowledge about our planet. With a focus on oceanography, earth sciences, and atmospheric research, SOEST combines world-class education and groundbreaking studies to address challenges like climate change, energy, and environmental sustainability. 
 

SOEST benefits from an unparalleled natural laboratory, offering students and researchers unique opportunities to explore Earth's systems from ocean depths to atmospheric heights. Through its interdisciplinary work, SOEST drives innovation, nurtures future leaders, and strengthens Hawai‘i’s role in global environmental stewardship. 
 

Since 2020, HPF has been supporting Native Hawaiian researchers across diverse fields, partnering with them to create change for Hawaiʻi and its people. 

Windward Community College 

Impact Type: Education

Location: Kāneʻohe, Hawai’i

Windward Community College (WCC) is a public community college located in Kāne‘ohe on the island of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. Part of the University of Hawai‘i System, WCC provides accessible, affordable, and community-centered education, with a focus on serving the Windward O‘ahu region.  Kaʻohekani Impact Type: Cultural Revitalization & Community Development Location: Kāneʻohe, Hawai’i HPF specifically supports, Ka’ohekani, a groundbreaking music program dedicated to preserving and promoting Hawaiian culture through traditional music and performing arts. It offers courses in Hawaiian music forms like ‘ukulele, hula, and slack-key guitar, while integrating Hawaiian language and cultural studies to deepen students' connection to the art. Kaʻohekani emphasizes community engagement, encouraging students to share their skills at events and performances, and provides pathways for those interested in careers in Hawaiian music or cultural advocacy. The program aims to nurture cultural pride and ensure Hawaiian music traditions continue to thrive.

3800692_288x258_500.gif
standard.png
WE GO WEST .png

UH West O’ahu 

Impact Type: Education

The University of Hawai’i – West Oʻahu (UH West Oʻahu) is a public university located in Kapolei on the island of Oʻahu. Part of the University of Hawaiʻi System, UH West Oʻahu is known for its focus on providing higher education opportunities that are accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant, particularly for residents of the West Oʻahu region.  HUB Pasifika Impact Type: Cultural Revitalization & Community Development Location: Kapolei, Hawai’i HUB Pasifika is a community-focused initiative that supports the educational and professional growth of Pacific Islander students and the larger Pacific Islander community. It offers resources, programming, and a sense of community that addresses the specific needs and aspirations of students from the Pacific Islands, including Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, Chuukese, Marshallese, and other Pacific Islander backgrounds. They achieve this by often organizing events, workshops, and networking opportunities tailored to foster cultural pride, professional development, and pathways to success for Pacific Islanders. This support includes academic advising, mentorship programs, and collaboration with external organizations to create a strong learning environment. Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou Impact Type: Economic Stability & Cultural Revitalization Location: Kapolei, Hawai’i Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou is a professional development program that is dedicated to preparing and supporting teachers, especially those serving Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. The program name, Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou, translates to "to sprout or nurture new teachers," symbolizing its goal of cultivating skilled educators who are well-equipped to serve and uplift their communities. The program focuses on culturally grounded education and addresses the unique needs of students in Hawai‘i’s schools. It provides training that emphasizes culturally relevant teaching practices, local values, and community engagement. This approach helps teachers understand and integrate Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultures into their classrooms, making education more accessible and meaningful for students from these backgrounds. We Go West Impact Type: Community Development Location: Kapolei, Hawai’i The “We Go West” initiative is exclusively designed for seniors attending high schools in the Leeward district of Oʻahu. This one-day program provides an opportunity for graduating seniors, faculty, and staff to celebrate their acceptance into the University of Hawaiʻi––West Oʻahu. The program aims to promote student engagement, foster a sense of belonging, and develop a sense of community among students and staff through participation in workshops and enrichment activities facilitated by university community members.

Location: Kapolei, Hawai’i

JABSOM.jpg

John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) - Native Hawaiian Center of Health (NHCOE) 

Impact Type: Economic Stability & Health & Well-being

Location: Honolulu, Hawai’i

The Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) is dedicated to increasing the number of Native Hawaiians in health professions. The NHCOE provides resources, support, and educational opportunities to Native Hawaiian students, aiming to improve health outcomes for the Native Hawaiian community by enhancing cultural competence in healthcare and promoting the recruitment, retention, and success of Native Hawaiian students in medical education. 

bottom of page