Program areas at Hualalai Ohana Foundation
Educational awards and programs - in 2022 there were 83 scholarships for pre-k through 12th grade, 50 scholarships for higher education, and 44 coursework/tutoring awards. Educational programs included: keiki literacy and learning program - distributes books each month to children of Hualalai resort workforce (140 awards in 2022). Honor roll - recognizes and awards Hualalai children in grades 6-12 (91 in 2022). Work for college match - awards students for summer employment earnings with a cash match for hours worked totaling up to $1,500 (25 awards in 2022). Academic merit awards - recognizes student academic achievement with good grades (22 awards in 2022). Little passports - educational subscription kits featuring world geography and culture mailed to recipients age 6-12 years old - (33 awards in 2022). Technology for education - awards granted in 2022 included 17 awards to support the remote learning needs of families post-pandemic and in support of purchasing a laptop, computer, printer, router or headset.
Medical financial assistance awards included 124 awards to support health and well-being of families struggling with emergent medical crisis and serious medical needs.
Summer microschool pilot program : halau lamaku at kalaemano. In july 2022, 40 keiki participated in a two-week educational summer enrichment program coordinated in partnership with the university of Hawaii 'imiloa center. Lama signifies "light or "enlightenment"- evoking learning, knowledge and understanding. Halau lamaku honors the lama tree, a native dry forest tree that grows in hawai'Hawaii'i and nowhere else in the world. This informal science education program / microschool offered place-based enrichment learning for keiki, welcoming young explorers in grades k-6 to discover hawai'Hawaii'i and strengthen their connections to their island home, and to the ahupua'a (land) of ka'upulehu (where Hualalai resort is located). Explorers engaged in hands-on activities, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, art and observation grounded in Hawaiian culture, science, math, and art. Explorers voyaged from deep ocean to deep space and everything in between. The program was custom-designed to provide social and academic stimulation for local children in a safe environment, inspiring pride, connection and relevance here at Hualalai where their parents are employed.