HAWAIʻI & COMMUNITY

Hawaiʻi is both our home and a place of learning. Through community engagement, environmental initiatives, and exchanges of knowledge, Hawaiʻi Philanthropy Forum brings people together to explore challenges affecting our islands.

Our work connects local experiences with lessons from other places, while recognizing the importance of community knowledge, cultural perspectives, and Hawaiʻi's unique environmental conditions. We believe meaningful change begins with listening, learning together, and turning knowledge into action.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN HAWAIʻI

In Hawaiʻi, HPF brings people together to exchange ideas, learn from different perspectives, and explore opportunities for collaboration

Building Connections Among Hawaiʻi's Grantmakers — November 2017

On November 29, 2017, members of Hawaiʻi's philanthropic community gathered at the Pacific Club in Honolulu for a Grantmakers Network Meeting facilitated by Richard Hogeboom.

The gathering involved the Atherton Family Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and explored opportunities to strengthen relationships, share knowledge, and encourage greater collaboration among philanthropic organizations.

These early conversations helped shape the Hui of Grantmakers (HUI), which later became the Hawaiʻi Philanthropy Forum (HPF).

Innovative Funding for Early Childhood Education — June 2018

On June 29, 2018, the Hui of Grantmakers (HUI) organized Innovative Funding for Early Childhood Education, with involvement from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

The event explored innovative approaches to investing in young children and families, recognizing that access to quality early childhood education is essential to individual opportunity and community well-being.

In Hawaiʻi, high childcare costs, limited availability, and shortages of early childhood educators present significant challenges for families.

Both gatherings reflected a shared commitment to bringing people together, exchanging knowledge, and exploring collaborative approaches to addressing important community needs.

LEARNING FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES: SEA-LEVEL RISE

Learning Across Communities

In 2019, Hawaiʻi Philanthropy Forum (HPF), in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Institute for Sustainability and Resilience, brought together 12 participants from Hawaiʻi, including decision-makers, scientists, researchers, public administrators, and leaders responsible for critical infrastructure and environmental planning.

The delegation traveled to Miami, Charleston, and Boston to learn firsthand how these coastal cities are responding to sea-level rise, flooding, and the growing challenges of climate adaptation.

Learning to Inform Action in Hawaiʻi

Through meetings with local experts, site visits, and discussions with community and government representatives, participants explored infrastructure adaptation, water management, urban planning, financing, community resilience, and social equity.

The Learning Journey provided opportunities to exchange knowledge across disciplines, strengthen relationships, and consider how lessons from other communities could inform more resilient and equitable solutions in Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiʻi Delegation — 2019

Aida Arik — University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Institute for Sustainability and Resilience
Katia Balassiano — Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting
Makena Coffman — University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Institute for Sustainability and Resilience
Charles “Chip” Fletcher — University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
Michael Fuke — Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Matt Gonser — Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency
Lori Kahikina — Honolulu Department of Environmental Services
Sam Lemmo — Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
Ross Sasamura — Honolulu Department of Facility Maintenance
Genevieve Sullivan — Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation
Barry Usagawa — Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Marta Forero Wayne — Hawaiʻi Philanthropy Forum

Affiliations reflect participants' roles at the time of the 2019 Learning Journey.

Special Acknowledgments:

HPF extends special appreciation to Dr. A. R. Siders, an advisor to Hawaiʻi Philanthropy Forum, for her invaluable guidance and contributions throughout the Sea-Level Rise Learning Journey.

Her expertise in climate change adaptation, managed retreat, and environmental justice helped shape our approach, enrich discussions, and deepen our understanding of the challenges facing coastal communities.

Her thoughtful insights and commitment to equitable, science-informed adaptation have been an important part of HPF's learning process.

HPF extends its sincere appreciation to Daniel Burger for his invaluable assistance throughout the planning and organization of the Sea-Level Rise Learning Journey. His efforts in coordinating visits, facilitating connections with key experts and decision-makers, and helping organize meaningful exchanges were instrumental to the success of the journey.

Explore Our Learning Journeys →

Hawai'i Philanthropy Forum

HAWAIʻI & COMMUNITY

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN HAWAIʻI

LEARNING FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES: SEA-LEVEL RISE

Learning Across Communities

Learning to Inform Action in Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi Delegation — 2019

HAWAIʻI SEA-LEVEL RISE DELEGATION | 2019

CARING FOR HAWAIʻI’S COASTAL ENVIRONMENT

Beach Cleanups and Microplastics