Over twenty years ago I was a UH graduate student, interning for the back-then very-new Marine Program for the Nature Conservancy in Hawai‘i. Invited by Uncle (and eventual State Senator) Gil Kahele, Miloliʻi was my first community-based ocean management ‘project.’ Over the course of many late-night talk story sessions, day-long dives, canoe paddles, and […]
Own Your Own Future Grant Opportunity
The initial deadline for the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and Stupski Foundation Own Your Own Future family engagement innovation grant has passed and we are not currently accepting new proposals. We may reopen for proposals in the future should funding allow. Contact Maria Glidden to be added to our mailing list for updates if/when we […]
Koʻolau Pilina Fund Now Accepting Applications
The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation is excited to announce that the Ko‘olau Pilina Fund has reopened for applications. Now in itʻs second year, the fund prioritizes projects specifically tailored to Ko‘olau communities on Oʻahu from Kahuku to Makapuʻu. The purpose of the Koʻolau Pilina Fund (the fund) is to build community resilience in the Koʻolau […]
Public Schools Show Encouraging Recovery
Hawaii Strive HI data and test results were released last week. We now know that students are recovering from learning struggles made worse by the pandemic but they are no means where they should be in order to be ready for college and the workplace. Today, the National Assessment of Education Progress was released. These […]
Koʻolau Housing Hui:
When there’s a confluence of need and opportunity, that’s usually a good time for philanthropy to step up. The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation saw that need during the first year of the pandemic, when so many families lost work and income and were unable to fully pay their rent. Opportunity came in the form of […]
Strengthening the Koʻolau Hawaiian-focused Charter School ʻĀina Hui
(Guest commentary by Alice J. Kawakami and Chelsea N. K. Keehne) Since 2018, Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian-focused Charter Schools (HFCS) and ʻāina partners have cultivated pilina between students and ʻāina, with support from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and Kamehameha Schools. Our schools (Ke Kula o Samuel M. Kamakau, Malama Honua PCS, and Hakipuʻu Academy) and ʻāina […]
Welcome Maria!
The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation is thrilled to welcome Maria Quidez to our team! Maria steps in as our Education Program Associate, responsible for supporting the community driven Pilina Fund, our ‘āina based education work across the Koʻolau region and statewide efforts to strengthen public education. Maria has significant experience working with adolescents through her […]
Aloha Nui Uncle John Lind
By Kevin Chang and the staff of Kua’āina Ulu ‘Auamo (KUA) Aloha friends, We wanted to let you all know that Uncle John Lind of Kīpahulu ʻOhana passed recently on June 22, 2022. The family loses a husband, brother, father, uncle and grandfather. Kīpahulu and East Maui lost an elder lawaiʻa and mahiʻai, an icon […]
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation: We Have Work to Do
DEI: We have Work to Do
Youth Voice Hawai’i Year 1 Report
What kind of future do Hawaii’s high school students see for themselves? Who’s supporting them in their quest to create a good life and career, and what’s getting in the way? The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and Learning for Action sat down and talked with students at length so we could deeply understand their aspirations […]