OHA Announces Another New Grants Program

We’ve been beating the drum on granting accountability with a fair (some might say nearly obsessive) degree of frequency.  As the main state grantor of Native Hawaiian programs, OHA naturally comes in for a large share of this criticism and analysis–and their reticence to share much about their evaluation process (not to mention the seemingly random nature of some of their grants) tends to exacerbate the problem.  Not that I’m letting them off the hook.  After all, when you stand in a position of trust as OHA does for Native Hawaiians, I think that you owe that group a great deal of accountability on how you choose to award your grants.

Still, in a sign that I’m going to optimistically label as “hopeful” (though in truth it will come down to actual results and actions, not intentions and PR), OHA has announced a new granting program called “Granting for Results” that will focus on OHA’s top goals and priorities, including improving education, lowering chronic disease rates, and raising earning power for Native Hawaiians.  I’m less enthused about some of the other stated goals and focuses, which include:

creating stable housing; valuing history; participating in cultural activities; improving lifestyle choices; understanding the need for a viable land base; protecting natural resources; and transferring assets to the new Native Hawaiian governing entity.

(Key to my concern–some of these are so vague as to be meaningless ways to advance clear politicized agendas, be they environmental or social engineering.  and “transferring assets to the new Native Hawaiian governing entity” should raise eyebrows among Native Hawaiians who are wondering where the Akaka Bill will leave them.  Whose assets?  How?  Where?  Under whose control? For what?  And let’s recall that there are some pretty considerable assets in play when it comes to Native Hawaiian trusts.)

The new grants (which offer up to $100,000 to the non-profit organizations that win the awards) are broken into the following four categories:

  • ‘Ahahui Grant – makes up to $10,000 available for community events that reflect any of OHA’s 10 strategic results and charge no admission to Native Hawaiians. It requires matching funds that amount to at least 10 percent of the event’s total cost. In addition, it makes between $10,002 and $25,000 available for community events that can secure matching funds that amount to at least 25 percent of their total cost to stage. Applications are accepted twice a year with deadlines of July 15, 2011 and Nov. 15, 2011.
  • Kauhale Grant – makes up to $25,000 available for community-based projects that directly impact any of OHA’s 10 strategic results. It requires matching funds that amount to at least 25 percent of the total cost of the project. Aug. 31, 2011 is the deadline to apply for this grant.
  • Kamoku Grant – makes up to $50,000 available for projects focused on increasing the family-income levels of Native Hawaiians. It requires matching funds that amount to at least 25 percent of the total cost of the project. Aug. 31, 2011 is the deadline to apply for this grant.
  • Kaiāulu Grant – makes between $25,001 and $100,000 available for community-based projects that directly impact any of OHA’s 10 strategic results. It also requires matching funds that amount to at least 50 percent of the total cost of the project. Aug. 31, 2011 is the deadline to apply for this grant.

Let’s hope that we’ll see more openness from OHA on how these grants achieve their goals (and how effective they are in doing so).

 

6 thoughts on “OHA Announces Another New Grants Program”

  1. I have a question. Im trying to apply for a grant to pay for school, how and where would i start. I am of Hawaiian ancestry about 50% and i am looking for help to pay some of my schooling. I am not able to work because I attend school full time @ Remington College for cosmetology. Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated.

  2. Hi my name is gabriel poki pala. and I am hawaiian. And I wannted 2 see if I could get a grant in starting my own bissness so I can better my self and my people by provideing jobs.

  3. Interested in qualifying for a grant or scholarship to attend an on-line college of my choice. I have already applied to college and have been accepted. I am trying to find ways to pay for my education.
    As a Native Hawaiian, do you have any programs that can assist me.

  4. I’m working on opening a small business as a Event Planner. Can you please send me more scholarships and grants that I can apply for to help me with my business. I need start-up funds. thank you

  5. Aloha,I am trying to go about finding how to apply for grants to start a new business, I would be greatly appreciated iff I could receive some assistance in how to do so. I look forward to hearing from you.
    Mahalo

  6. I am Hawaiian, I am in need of a Native Hawaiian Grant for a Startup Business.
    My Business is Culturally Significant in Taking Our Hawaiian Culture to the World. This is the very first time for me in pursuing anything like this, I do need to speak to a person, or persons that can help me to make this Dream a reality. To Help, Direct, and Guide Me This Process. Mahalo. OHA…FOR THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE…

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