Kinai Eha
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Kinai 'Eha was incorporated as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of Hawai'i in 2017. The organization provides workforce development training in the construction, landscaping, and custodial trades using a trauma-informed, culturally relevant approach. Youth participants learn and practice critical work readiness skills, such as timeliness and positive work ethic. Our programs include hands-on workforce development training, education, and financial literacy. We promote positive living and social skills and create opportunities for a healthy lifestyle that promotes mental wellness and positive expression.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 7.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 26
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $108,880, executive dir.
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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% 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
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 252 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $685,402 spent. Kinai 'Eha aims to provide an alternative education option to opio that are in need of and seeking purpose, personal empowerment, education, Hawaiian cultural identity and connection, workforce training in construction and the trades, community service and leadership. We believe in identifying and building upon the strengths of the opio, connecting them to the larger lahui and ultimately developing their individual level of self-sufficiency. Through Hawaiian culture-based education and trauma informed approaches we have laid a kahua that develops the two most critical success elements of the program: Puuhonua & 'Ohana. Our C.A.S.E Management - Clarity, Awareness, Significance and Empowerment are the four pillars of Kinai 'Eha and they guide program and service delivery, individual and ohana intervention and action plans.
- $231,386 spent. Kinai 'Eha launched Hale Ka Hana, a 10-bed residential shelter for work-ready young adults ages 18-24 in December 2021. The Hale is staffed 24/7 with residential management experienced in mentoring youth/young adults and trained in trauma-informed care. It provides stable residency for homeless young adults that want to participate in our workforce development program at Kinai 'Eha.
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 October 13, 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 July 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 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.