Support, empowerment, and progress for Native Hawaiian communities — from the 1970s to today.
Friends of Waimanalo began as a community organizing effort in the 1970s — driven by the belief that everyone has value and potential.
In 2019, we reactivated with an enhanced mission — three core academies, expansion into regenerative agriculture, and partnerships with unions, government agencies, and private industry.
Today we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with over 120 students certified through our Passport Training program.
Love and compassion guiding every decision.
Our duty to uplift and serve.
Stewardship of land, water, and people.
Doing what is right, always.
The heart of Friends of Waimanalo.
A community leader for 25 years. Building and trades apprenticeship training with Youth Build, community liaison for trade industry jobs, rehabilitation of men and women in transition. Founded Kapili Like, Friends of Waimanalo, and Ke Alaula, LLC. Now full-time at FOW connecting community with the services they need.
With FOW since its 2019 reactivation. Deep ties to unions, community leaders, and the film and TV industry. A visionary driving operational strategy and partnership development across all programs.
We partner with government agencies and private businesses to create revenue streams that self-fund our programs.
Collaborating with DBEDT, the ADC, CTAHR, food farmers, and industrial hemp farmers — land remediation, growing food, and creating eco-friendly building materials.
Train, volunteer, partner, or donate. Every contribution strengthens our community.