Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Kauai Community Grants Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kauai groups report OHA-funded job placements, internships and cleanup work; trustees urged to expand outreach
Summary
Two Kauai organizations described results from OHA grants: Wa Ke'elepono Trades Academy said OHA funding helped place 13 Native Hawaiian interns into construction jobs and paid over $95,000 in intern pay; Ina Alliance presented recent cleanup and hazard mitigation work at Anahola that also used OHA and other grants.
Two Kauai nonprofit presenters described workforce training and community cleanup projects that used Office of Hawaiian Affairs grants and partner funding.
Lavaya Nahi, executive director of Wa Ke'elepono Trades Academy and Institute, told trustees the academy received two OHA grants (an internship/workforce development grant and an education grant) and said the program has placed 13 Native Hawaiian participants into full‑time construction jobs and paid more than $95,000 in intern wages. Lavaya said the academy runs a high‑school program (16 students at Kekula Oni'ihau in Kekaha in year one) and other workforce and female‑focused programs; she told trustees the organization estimates roughly 600 people have participated across programs and that private donations and a DHHL grant supplement OHA funding.
Jeremy Mckepa of Ina Alliance described recent cleanup and hazard mitigation work in Anahola, including removing abandoned cars, creating firebreaks and hauling marine debris. He said Ina Alliance used a mix of grants, including a KACO grant for capacity building, a 2023 grant to support cleanup and supplemental DHHL grants for hazard mitigation. Mckepa described hands‑on youth events that introduced students to heavy equipment and field work and emphasized mentorship and legacy building.
Trustees and staff encouraged both groups to work with OHA communications and staff to increase outreach and suggested presentations to trustee committees on outcomes and impacts to inform future funding decisions.
Ending: Presenters asked for continued OHA partnership to expand program reach and suggested future trustee briefings or committee presentations on participant outcomes and program needs.
