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Lawakua Charitable Fund

EIN 47-3731349 · Honolulu, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION USES MARTIAL ARTS TO TEACH CONFIDENCE, COORDINATION, STRUCTURE, AND DISCIPLINE TO YOUTH, WITH A FOCUS ON AT-RISK AND LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AND TO GUIDE DISADVANTAGED YOUTHS TO A MORE HOPEFUL FUTURE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS TUITION PAYMENTS AND OTHER SCHOOL COSTS.

Income
$549,491
Spending
$313,305
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
81.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 67%
Employees
6
Volunteers
20

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 81.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (1)
  1. $232,035 spent. LAWAKUA CHARITABLE FUND RECRUITS AT-RISK AND LOW-INCOME CHILDREN TO JOIN ITS MARTIAL ARTS CLUB. THEY LEARN DISCIPLINE, HARD WORK, SELF-DEFENSE, TEAM COLLABORATION, AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO USES MARTIAL ARTS TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE, COORDINATION, AND STRUCTURE TO GUIDE YOUTH AND PROVIDE THEM WITH EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS TUITION PAYMENTS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, SCHOOL BOOKS, UNIFORMS AND MEALS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES ALL OF THE NECESSARY MARTIAL ARTS EQUIPMENT AND GEAR FOR THE CHILDREN WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.IN-PERSON KAJUKENBO CLASSES STARTED UP AGAIN IN 2022 AND NOW ARE HELD THREE TIMES A WEEK ON TUESDAYS, FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS. COVID VACCINATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS. CLASSES WERE HELD AT KUHIO PARK TERRACE ONLY, AND NO LONGER OFFERED AT PALAMA SETTLEMENT AND HALAWA HOUSING. MID 2022, A THIRD CLASS WAS ADDED ON TUESDAYS. VIRTUAL TUTORING SERVICES CONTINUED AS STUDENTS PREFERRED VIRTUAL OVER IN-PERSON SESSIONS.

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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.