Six Big Island nonprofits recommended for $400,000 in County stewardship grants

The Hawai‘i County Finance Department recommended awarding six Big Island nonprofits with stewardship grants to maintain seven parcels acquired through the County’s Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund.

County Finance Director Denna Sako presented the list, with total recommended grants of nearly $400,000, to the Hawai‘i County Council Finance Committee on Tuesday. The grant money would come from the special fund.

Based on the budget submissions from each applicant, Sako said the six recommended organizations have the ability to complete the projects outlined in their stewardship grant applications.

The organizations seeking the funds, where they will be used and the amount requested are as follows:

• Kohanaiki ‘Ohana: ‘O‘oma Shoreline Beach Park, $20,380.
• Ho‘omalu Ka‘ū, Kahuā Olohu, $26,675.
• Nā Mamo O Kāwā, Kawaʻa/Kawaʻa Bay, $117,012.48.
• Friends of Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens, $95,380.
• Pōhāhā I Ka Lani, Waipi‘o Valley Lookout, $39,710.
• Kohala Lihikai, Kaiholena, $59,298.
• Kohala Lihikai, Hālawa Hale O Kaili, $36,651.

“I’m just really grateful to our community partners for stepping up and taking on this kuleana,” Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz said.

The Council expressed no objections to any of the recommended grantees during Tuesday’s committee meeting.

For more information about each of the organizations awarded and what the funds will be used for, click here.