The Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) has announced its 2019 recipients of the Community Restoration Partnership (CRP) grants, totaling more than $1.4 million to fund the protection and restoration of Hawai‘i’s coastal areas on five islands over three years.
The CRP is a unique collaboration of national and international funders, foundations, and private donors, who provide resources for on-the-ground lower watershed and coastal restoration projects throughout Hawai‘i that involve community stewardship activities and focus on durable and sustainable positive impacts on coastal and near-shore marine areas. The CRP funded projects align with the state’s goal for 30% healthy functioning near-shore areas by 2030.
“The CRP-funded projects are a true demonstration of caring for the land,” said Larissa Kick, Senior Program Officer for Community Grants and Investments at HCF. “The CRP funders are helping nonprofits to bring new life to ancient fishponds using traditional practices, restore eroding land with native plants, and remove invasive species that are choking clogged ocean channels.”
Since its inception in 2009, CRP has provided more than $4.7 million in funding to 52 local community organizations statewide, helping to strengthen the ties between cultural and environmental stewardship efforts. When the CRP was started at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, it was as an innovative public-private partnership with NOAA’s Restoration Center, supported by the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye.
It has now evolved to include 8 local and mainland foundations, private donors, and other partners, and advanced from a one-year grant into a multi-year grant program that also provides capacity building, training, and networking opportunities to nonprofits.
The CRP is a funding partnership including the Atherton Family Foundation, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Jeanne Herbert Fund at HCF, Kamehameha Schools, the Marisla Foundation, Oak Foundation, Traut Carson Fund at HCF, and the Weissman Family Foundation at HCF.
“When we talk about the health of Hawai‘i—both for our people and places—we recognize that these are very complex restoration efforts that will necessitate comprehensive solutions,” said Eric Co, Senior Program Officer for Ocean Resiliency at the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. “Consequently, broad collaboration, shared learning, and collective action will be foundational to our success.”
“It really comes down to this,” Kick added. “Healthy coastal lands are crucial for healthy native plant-life, wildlife, and oceans. We believe it’s important to protect our resources in Hawai‘i, and we are honored to be part of this partnership with engaged funders, and mission-driven nonprofits. Working toward environmental integrity and sustainability is no small task, so it will require laulima, many hands working together.”
2019-2021 Community Restoration Partnership Grant Recipients and Projects:
- Conservation International Foundation Hawai‘i Island. Integrated Restoration: An innovative approach to community-based coastal and marine restoration at Honaunau Bay;
- Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, Maui. Waihe‘e coastal dunes and wetlands refuge ecological restoration;
- Hui Makaainana o Makana, Kaua‘i. Alahula ‘Āina Momona: continuing the path towards ‘Āina Momona through building community capacity for ahupua‘a restoration in Hā‘ena;
- Hui Malama i ke Ala Ulili, Hawai‘i Island. Hoonohopapa community-based ‘aina stewardship;
- Hui o Koolaupoko, O‘ahu. He‘eia estuary restoration;
- Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center Moloka‘i. Kawao Kaamola;
- Kalanihale, Hawai‘i Island. Restoring traditional fishing and coral reef resources in Miloli‘i South Kona;
- Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike Building Program, Maui. Wailua nui restoration project;
- Malama Huleia, Kaua‘i. Malama Huleia – alekoko restoration;
- Malama Learning Center, O‘ahu. Growing ola na kini in the Waianae moku;
- Malama Pupukea-Waimea, O‘ahu. Developing a self-sustaining approach to expanding native vegetation at Pūpūkea Beach Park;
- The North Shore Community Land Trust, O‘ahu, Kahuku Point restoration;
- Moloka‘i Land Trust, Moloka‘i. Expansion of critical habitat restoration – anapuka dune to dry forest;
- Na Mamo O Kawa, Hawai‘i Island. Kawa dryland forest and coastal revegetation;
- Paepae o He’eia, O‘ahu. He‘eia fishpond limu restoration;
- The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Island. Improving coastal health in West Hawai’i by engaging community volunteers who perpetuate traditional practices.
With over 100 years of community service, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) is the leading philanthropic institution in the state. HCF is a steward of more than 850 funds, including more than 250 scholarship funds, created by donors who desire to transform lives and improve communities. In 2017, HCF distributed more than $59 million in grants and contracts statewide, including more than $6 million in scholarships. HCF also serves as a resource on community issues and trends in the nonprofit sector.
Organizations, partners or funders that are interested in joining the CRP may contact Larissa Kick at 808-566-5565 or lkick@hcf-hawaii.org.
Photos are of the North Shore Community Land Trust, one of the CRP Grantees. The North Shore Community Land Trust program offers an educational and interactive experience for local residents, school children, and visitors to connect with this rare coastal habitat through monthly volunteer workdays consisting of invasive species removal, native plant out-planting, marine debris cleanup, and light trail maintenance along the network of public trails.