About Us

Our Story

Support, empowerment, and progress for Native Hawaiian communities — from the 1970s to today.

Our History

Rooted in the 1970s. Renewed in 2019.

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.

Multigenerational community processing hemp fiber at a Waimānalo farm
Our Values

Grounded in Hawaiian Tradition

Aloha

Love and compassion guiding every decision.

Kuleana

Our duty to uplift and serve.

Mālama

Stewardship of land, water, and people.

Pono

Doing what is right, always.

Leadership

Meet the Team

The heart of Friends of Waimanalo.

Scotty Reis-Moniz, Executive Director and President of Friends of Waimanalo, photographed on a lānai with ocean and mountains behind

Scotty Reis-Moniz

Executive Director & President

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.

Scotty Wong, Director of Operations at Friends of Waimanalo, photographed outdoors with palm trees and mountains

Scotty Wong

Director of Operations

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.

Self-Sustainability

Public & Private Partnerships

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.

Hawaiian farmer harvesting greens with Koʻolau mountains

Join Our Mission

Train, volunteer, partner, or donate. Every contribution strengthens our community.