Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Living Pono Project

EIN 45-5263880 · Paia, HI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To revitalize our Hawaiian culture through education, outreach and environmental restoration.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$124,184, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes -30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $10,483 spent. Kupaaina Explorations Program: This progam allows sudents to participate in cultural activities outside of the school setting. We assist students in developing cultural values and awareness of Hawaiian culture. Cultural activities include traditional Hawaiian chants, crafts, native plant uses, wayfinding and navigation, paddling, legends, kui kalo and many more activities. This program explores the importance of the Ahupuaa system; sustainability, kuleana, and how this system can be modeled today.
  2. $747,959 spent. Living Pono Plantation: The purpose for establishing the Living Pono Plantation is three fold: First, we seek to employ adults with disabilities within the Green Industry at a fair wage while providing them a unique opportunity to learn and gain life skills through a positive and fun alternative work experience. Secondly, by integratiing several sustainable agricultural practices, we will be providing Hawaii consumers with several alternatives to conventionally grown crops from teh mainland as well as healing our aina. Lastly, this system can be an invaluble teaching tool for students to learn about sustainability, a modern working ahupuaa, and to develop a curriculum that is relevant to real world applications.
  3. $1.1 million spent. Puu Kukui Watershed Preserve: Provides employment to vulnerable populations and education opportunities based in cultural stewardship and watershed protection. These programs demonstrate the connectivity between the natural world and the Hawaiian perspective of alohaaina (ove and stewardship for land). Puu Kukui Watershed Preserve is an excellent resource for environmental education and provides a multitude of hands on learning spaces where humana (learners) can see, touch, and be emersed in ecosystem processes first hand. This intac ahupuaa and larger moku complex showcases the dynamic interactions of different ecosystems within ahupuaa, as well as potential impacts that global warming may have on a community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2014.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.