Honolulu grants $1 million to nonprofits to help Waianae Coast

Jan. 9 – Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman has announced $1 million in city grants to local nonprofits to provide services largely benefiting the Waianae Coast, such as food, transitional shelter, youth programs, financial assistance, upgrades and repairs for residential programs, transportation to social services and to repair a koa canoe.

In addition, the mayor announced another $1.31 million will be used for improvements at Waianae Coast beach parks at Nanakuli, Pokai Bay and Maili and to the Waianae District park. 

Some 31 nonprofits applied for city grants for services to the Kapolei to Makaha  area. These 19 organizations were selected to receive the grants, which total $989,999: 

• Alternative Structures International, $100,000 to renovate Raphael House, a residential community for people with disabilities.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu, $25,000 for mentoring programs for youth.
• Hale Kipa Inc., $25,000 for services to homeless youths.
• Hawaii Family Services, $25,000 for cultural identification and peer support services for children.
• Hawaii Foodbank Inc., $60,500 for Leeward nutrition program.
• Helping Hands Hawaii, $61,633 to provide material goods and financial assistance to the needy through the Community Clearinghouse.
• Hoa 'Aina O Makaha, $68,365 to replace an outdated water meter and line for a 5-acre agricultural parcel serving children and youths.
• Ho'omanu Ke Ola, $85,850 to renovate a 16-bed transitional shelter for the homeless.
• Ka'ala Farm Inc., $35,000 for agricultural educational programs in elementary schools.
• Kapolei Elementary School, $100,000 to construct shade covering for the school's existing playground.
• Ke Ola 'Ana, $21,063 for an acupuncture detoxification program.
• Leeward Kai Canoe Club, $15,000 to repair an existing koa canoe.
• Salvation Army, $25,000 for transportation services to provide social services.
• Steadfast Housing Development Corp., $100,000 for electrical and emergency systems upgrade in a 71-unit residential and supportive services program.
• U.S. Vets, $37,500 to provide food assistance for homeless veterans.
• Valley of the Rainbows, $60,000 for an educational youth conference and to assist with Sunset on the Beach events.
• Waianae Coast Coalition, $30,000 to develop and maintain a community Web site to include information on community resources.
• Waianae Coast Christian Women's Job Corps, $82,088 to provide life skills and job skills to the homeless.
• YWCA of Oahu, $33,000 for costs related to implementing a family loan program.

In making the grants, Hanneman said the city aimed to fund projects that would have immediate impact on the community and help the homeless and needy.