In The News

Students in Waiʻanae and Nānākuli intermediate schools got to "veg out" this school year thanks to a project called ʻAi i ka Lāʻau that provided them with lots of healthy fresh fruits and vegetables and taught them how to prepare them at home.  

The project brought weekly cooking classes to campus through a partnership between Hiʻilei Aloha LLC, OHA's nonprofit subsidiary, And After-School All-Stars, a free after school program for intermediate and middle-school students.  

At the World Indigenous Business forum in Guatemala last year, Nalani Takushi of Oʻahu invited the delegates to attend the forum's 2015 gathering in Honolulu. "I just did a call out to please join us in Hawaiʻi," Takushi said, adding that she was inspired after attending the conference for which the Guatemalan president provided opening remarks. 

Hiʻilei Aloha LLC, a nonprofit subsidiary of OHA, will be holding workshops on grant writing and leadership development from May 13 through July 26. 

More than 700 delegates are expected to attend the World Indigenous Business Forum this fall in Wai­kiki, pumping an estimated $2 million into Hawaii's tourism economy.

The event seeks to connect indigenous leaders from across the globe to boost international trade as well as indigenous participation in business and economic development.

OHAʻs nonprofit subsidiary Hiʻilei Aloha LLC has received a federal grant to develop a mobile poi mill that will enable small taro farmers to process taro and sell their products directly to stores.

The $57,887 grant, from the U.S Department of Agricultureʻs Rural Business Enterprise Grant program, promotes development of small and emerging businesses in rural areas.

An organization that provides programs in Waiahole Valley for at risk youth and recovering addicts faces foreclosure after falling behind in payments on an 8-acre property.

The Pacific Cultural Institute, formerly known as Friends of Samoa, has been working on a payment plan to offset its debt- including $104,00 in lease rent payments to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. 

The matter had been an ongoing legal battle among the organization, the state and Hawaiʻi Laʻieikawai Association since September 2009. On Oct. 30, Pacific cultural is scheduled to present a payment plan to the state at Circuit Cour to stave off foreclosure.

Last week, eight teams faced 10 judged to describe their dreams for helping to build stronger communities. They were vying for more than $30,000 in prizes donated by American Savings Bank, the Ulupsono Initiative and Olomana Loomis ISC in the 2012 Hogan/American Savings Bank Non-Profit Business Plan Competition. 

Running through all of the innovative projects were a few recurring themes: Create jobs, build partnerships, serve the vulnerable, build a sustainable future foster entrepreneurship. 

A business plan seeking to increase the value and broaden the distribution of freshly made poi was named the $10,000 grand prize winner at the Hogan/American Savings Bank Nonprofit Business Plan Competition at Chaminade University.

Hi'ilei Aloha LLC, based in Honolulu, plans to develop a mobile certified kitchen and poi mill that would travel to farms and convert taro into poi. The intention is to help taro farmers become self-sustaining and help improve prospects for the long-term viability of their craft, while also increasing local food production.

The award presentation was one of five made as part of Wednesday's 10th graduation and induction of students from and into the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program at Chaminade.

Peter Hanohano sees himself as a doctor of sorts-one that focuses on the health of Native Hawaiian organizations. 

In his work leading the Hoʻokahua Capacity-Building Program through OHAʻs subsidiary Hiʻilei Aloha LLC, Hanohano helps organizations build firm foundations for long-term sustainability.  As part of the process, he meets with organizations and performs organizational assessments.  

"The assessment process is like a patient experiencing multiple symptoms and going to a medical doctor to find a cure," said Hanohano.  "The doctor asks many questions to gain a better understanding of the patients condition and then prescribes an effective remedy.