Holualoa Nonprofits and Charities

Kahua Na`au A`o ma Pu`uhonua o Honaunau NHP, INC. is all grown now. It has weathered the 30 years of building the foundation in order to teach others. Kahua Na`au A`o founded and hosted many signature events at Pu`uhonua o Honaunau including the annual Establishment Day Cultural Festival since 1976 whose 3 day attendance is a modest 8,000 visitors. Kahua Na`au A`o has impacted and uplifted the lives of many especially our Hawaiian people, like myself to attain the `Ike insight into my family history. I learned to search my Na`au my "gut" to look for the A`o the enlightenment. Kahua Na`au A`o has provided an alahele a pathway to discover, get to know and collaborate with other Hui, organizations who think in like mind. Although miles away on islands or continents we share a global sense of compassion for our own, each other and human kind. Kahua Na`au A`o has now come of age and is sanctioning teachers who have completed the course of study so that the continuity of the A`o, the learning moves forward. I am so thankful to my family especially my mom, known to many as Aunty Grace who named our organization and to Jerry Y. Shimoda retired Superintendent of Pu`uhonua o Honaunau NHP who practiced the Hawaiian tradition of Ohana and with this vision mentored Kahua Na`au A`o to stare adversity in the face and look for the oppotunities in the light. Kahua Na`au A`o sheds its skin regularly so that the dawning of the new skins enable the organization to makaukau, be well prepared for the future.

I never considered myself as an artist until I worked with the Holualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture as a volunteer. I was introduced to the process of artmaking instead of the product. Therefore, as I gingerly experimented with paper making I gained an understanding of the history of Hawaii as it was influenced by Polynesians who set out to settle in a new home. Other media related to fiber arts and concepts that led to artmaking continues to influence my life. The mission of this organization to enrich lives of persons of all ages and abilities through art education is indeed applicable to my life.

I can't recommend HIHS highly enough. I was visiting Kona a couple weeks ago, staying at a friend's house. The less-than-friendly neighbor next door had several older dogs and at least 5 puppies running all over the neighborhood. The pups couldn't have been more than 10 weeks old and were already frightened of people- they hadn't been socialized at all. But they were adorable and with effort I managed to get them to come over and say hello. Once one had decided I was all right the rest just piled on. There was a momentary flurry of furry puppy happiness- they were licking my chin, eating my hair, rolling over for tummy rubs, and collapsing in my lap. Then I realized these poor pups were covered in fleas and sores and had no collars, and getting a good look at the other dogs, I noticed they were in advanced stages of mange. I called the Society and was told they do visits, so I gave them the address. Today, less than two weeks later, I got a call from the officer who had performed the conditions check. He told me the owner had surrendered all the pups on the spot and had been given a notice to comply to get his other dogs licenses and medical treatment. The pups are all up for adoption and being furry Golden retriever mixes I am sure they will all find loving homes. HI Humane Society just made my year! I just gave them a donation for their efforts and I hope, perhaps later at end of year time, others will do the same.