Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Paepae O Heeia

EIN 71-0903791 · Kaneohe, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PAEPAE O HE'EIA'S MISSION IS TO IMPLEMENT VALUES AND CONCEPTS FROM THE MODEL OF A TRADITIONAL FISHPOND TO PROVIDE PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND SPIRITUAL SUSTENANCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
12.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
19
Volunteers
3,100
Highest pay
$104,884, assistant ex

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 105% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 June 30, 2025, 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. $582,911 spent. THE KU HOU KUAPA (KHK) PROGRAM'S FOCUS IS THE PHYSICAL RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE OF HE'EIA FISHPOND. ANNUALLY, THE KHK PROGRAM ORGANIZES APPROXIMATELY 2,900 VOLUNTEERS. WORK PERFORMED INCLUDES MANGROVE REMOVAL AND FISHPOND WALL RESTORATION. ANNUALLY, APPROXIMATELY 220 FEET OF WALL IS RESTORED.
  2. $329,693 spent. KA AI KAMAHAO (KAK) EDUCATION PROGRAM. ANNUALLY, THE KAK PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO APPROXIMATELY 6,000 STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES SINGLE VISIT FIELD TRIPS, RECURRING EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.
  3. $56,326 spent. AINA MOMONA (AM) IS PAEPAE O HE'EIA'S COMMUNITY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. AM PROJECTS INCLUDE THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE ALGAE,REMOVAL AND DISTRIBUTION OF PREDATORY FISH THROUGH COMMUNITY FISHING DAYS, HARVEST AND SALES OF MANGROVE CRAB, AND THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCES SUCH AS BIVALVES AND LAND-BASED FOOD CROPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 January 2005.

    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.