Hanona
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Hanona is formed to elevate Native Hawaiian Wisdom and Intellect by providing cultural learning opportunities for our communities with the four pillars of Hawaiian learning. These four pillars of Hawaiian learning are Kahuna Nui Ho?omanamana Ka Pule Ka Mauli Ola and Huna Noeau.
- Income
- $557,154
- Spending
- $511,054
- Spent on programs
- 97%
- Reserves
- 1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 96%
- Employees
- 0
- 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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1597% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 33 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $496,467 spent. Due to devastating effects of the Maui County Wildfires which affected some of our project participants and their families the start of our third year was delayed by 4 months. All our instructors lead archaeologist Master Hale Instructor and Master Dry Stack Masonry instructor and Kahuna Nui were asked to provide their expertise in various areas to assist in the rebuilding and healing of the places and people affected by the Maui Wildfires. Participants in our projects Kahuna Pule program were asked to assist with ceremonies protocols and prayers to spiritually support families who lost loved ones in the Maui Wildfires. They were also asked to offer prayers for the land at ground zero in the heart of Lahaina town weeks after the fire. The ceremonies and protocols conducted by this group of practitioners reflect the intense training they have gone through during the first 2 years of our project. Our Kauhale Program has increased from 5 appretices to 12 apprentices. We also provided volunteer opportunities to community members to assist in completing the Halau Waa. This gave our apprentices opportunities to teach community members some basic knowledge of traditional hale bulding The Halau waa that particpants began building in the first year was scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2023. This was delayed due to the Maui Wildfires. The Hala Waa was completed in February 2024. A ceremonial blessing for this hale was held in February 2024. The completion of this Hawaiian traditional hale is a culmination of two years of training and challenging work that these students have put forth. Our Malama Aina participants have documented the flora and fauna of our project site. Native plants and invasive plants have been identified. They are working on a plan to mitigate the impact of invasive species and exploring various non-toxic weed control methods. The Archaeology apprentices have nearly completed mapping the area of the heiau that was most impacted by World War II the Dairy Era and the effects of pre-construction in the 1980s. This section of Kealakaihonua Heiau is three tiered. The second tier was discovered and delineated in March of 2024. The line and corners of the third tier were recently uncovered . Hooko Naauaos project is comprised of five key project components: Kauhale Apprenticeship Program Heiau Apprenticeship Program Archaeological and Historical Site Preservation Program Land Stewardship Program and the Kahuna Pule Program. Our project site Kapokea is the living lab where our participants are learning to restore the cultural landscape in their specific area of study and cultural practice. The skillsets and traditional cultural practices that these students learn can be applied to any cultural landscape. The assistance that Kahuna Pule participants offered to Lahaina and its people is a testament to the training of Mauis next generation of Native Hawaiian Practitioners
- Hanonas mission is to elevate Native Hawaiian wisdom and intellect by providing cultural learning opportunities for the communities and to perpetuate Native Hawaiian traditional practices while maintaining the integrity of how indigenous knowledge is taught and learned our mission aligns with the key characteristics of perpetuating Native Hawaiian knowledge and supports the goal of developing skilled cultural practitioners. Program starts in 2025.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.