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Hui Hooleimaluo

EIN 82-2529777 · Hilo, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak32 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HUI HO'OLEIMALUO'S MISSION IS TO NOURISH HAWAI'I'S LOKO I'A (HAWAIIAN FISHPONDS) THROUGH HANDS-ON EDUCATION, COMMUNITY ADVOCACY, AND PLACE-BASED MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
-4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
5
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$68,418, executive di

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

Weak: 32 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

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

  • 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 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 (6)
  1. $49,210 spent. WAIULI OCEAN FESTIVAL EACH YEAR, HUI HO'OLEIMALUO HOSTS THE WAIULI OCEAN FESTIVAL AT RICHARDSONS OCEAN BEACH PARK. THIS FREE, DRUG- AND ALCOHOL-FREE PUBLIC EVENT IS DEDICATED TO FOSTERING OCEAN LITERACY, OUTDOOR RECREATION AND SPORTSMANSHIP, HAWAIIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND PLACE-BASED EDUCATION AND STEWARDSHIP. THE FESTIVAL WELCOMES OCEAN-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS TO JOIN IN EDUCATING YOUTH AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O
  2. $98,421 spent. OHANA ENGAGEMENT (FAMILY ENGAGEMENT) HUI HO.OLEIMALUO FACILITATES HAWAIIAN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT AT THREE SITES IN KEAUKAHA: HONOKEA LOKO AT WAIULI,KAUMAUI, AND A SITE ON KEOKEA LOOP ROAD. WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KA .UMEKE KA.E.O AND KE ANA LA'AHANA SCHOOLS, HUI HO.OLEIMALUO HOSTS QUARTERLY LA OHANA (FAMILY DAYS). CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O
  3. $378,659 spent. NEXT GENERATION KIA'I LOKO HUI HO'OLEIMALUO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MATHEMATICS) SKILL-BUILDING THROUGH LOKO I'A RESTORATION, PLACE-BASED LEARNING, AND SMALL-SCALE HAWAIIAN FARMING AT WAIULI AND KAUMAUI. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O
  4. $246,050 spent. PAPAHANA PUAKAHINANO: FALL, SPRING, AND SUMMER THE PAPAHANA PUAKAHINANO STUDENT PROGRAM IS A SERIES OF WEEK LONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD OLELO HAWAI'I (HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE), AND CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS THROUGH AINA (LAND), WAHI PANA (SIGNIFICANT PLACES/SITES), AND 'IKE HAWAI'I (HAWAIIAN KNOWLEDGE) HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS FROM EAST HAWAI'I HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE BASED SCHOOLS IN GRADES K- 12. IN THE 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR THE SERIES INCLUDES FIVE DISTINCT PROGRAMS INCLUDING LOKO I'A (TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN FISHPONDS) , MALAMA KA WAI (WATERSHEDS), HANA NO'EAU (TRADITIONAL ARTS), HOLOKAI(NAVIGATION AND SAILING), AND PAPA IMU (FOOD PREPARATION AND SECURITY). THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CULTIVATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF AINA AND COMMUNITY KIA'I (CARE TAKERS). THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY OFFERED IN THE FALL AND SPRING INTERCESSIONS AND THE SUMMER BREAK. ONE-TIME VISITS: HUI HO'OLEIMALUO EXTENDS LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO ANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR ONE-TIME VISITS UPON REQUEST VIA EMAIL. TO THIS END, AND ON OCCASION, WE HAVE HOSTED PRESCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND FOREIGN VISITORS FOR THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THIS PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO INCREASING THE KNOWLEDGE OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE KEAUKAHA COASTLINE FOR THE STUDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
  5. LINA 4A - FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2) ACTIVITIES INCLUDE FREE FOOD, T-SHIRTS, HATS, AND PRIZES FOR KEIKI OCEAN CONTESTS AND A FISHING TOURNAMENT. THE EVENT FEATURES INTERACTIVE SESSIONS WITH RESEARCHERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI.I AT HILO, LOKO I.A (FISHPOND) PRACTITIONERS FROM KEAUKAHA, THE DEPARTMENT OF AQUATIC RESOURCES (DAR), THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DLNR), THE HAWAII POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, THE BARBLESS HOOKS PROJECT, AND CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS. KEIKI COMPETITIONS INCLUDE SURFING, SWIMMING, BAMBOO FISHING, AND TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN GAMES. ATTENDEES ALSO ENGAGE IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITY BOOTHS HOSTED BY UHH STUDENTS, DAR, AND DLNR. THE WAIULI OCEAN FESTIVAL DRAWS APPROXIMATELY 300 PARTICIPANTS ANNUALLY AND IS DEDICATED TO CULTIVATING A MORE INFORMED, RESPONSIBLE, AND CONNECTED COMMUNITY REGARDING OCEAN AND COASTAL STEWARDSHIP. LINA 4B - SECOND ACCOMPLISHMENT (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2) EACH LA OHANA PROVIDES INTERACTIVE LEARNING, FOOD, TOOLS, AND CULTURAL- HISTORICAL EDUCATION. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN LOKO I.A RESTORATION AND HAWAIIAN FARMING PRACTICES, GAINING KNOWLEDGE OF NATIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS, LOKO I'A METHODS, AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS. QUARTERLY PROJECTS INCLUDE CLEARING INVASIVE SPECIES, REBUILDING MAKAHA AND FISHPOND WALLS, AND ENHANCING FISH AND INVERTEBRATE POPULATIONS IN BRACKISHWATER ECOSYSTEMS. THESE GATHERINGS ENCOURAGE FAMILY PARTICIPATION, STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY BONDS, AND PERPETUATE CULTURAL AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES ACROSS HAWAIIAN COMMUNITIES. LINA 4C - THIRD ACCOMPLISHMENT (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2) THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON RESTORING NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA, INCREASING CULTURAL RESOURCES, AND OFFERING HANDS-ON STEAM EXPERIENCES THAT PREPARE STUDENTS FOR FUTURE ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURSUITS. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, HUI HO'OLEIMALUO WORKS WEEKLY WITH STUDENTS FROM GRADES K12 AND COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY, INCLUDING KA 'UMEKE KA'E'O, KE ANA LA'AHANA, AND LANAKILA LEARNING CENTER. ACTIVITIES EMPHASIZE OUTDOOR-CLASSROOM LEARNING, DATA COLLECTION, AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM ECOSYSTEM HEALTH.
  6. PAPAHANA PUAKAHINANO: FALL, SPRING, AND SUMMER THE PAPAHANA PUAKAHINANO STUDENT PROGRAM IS A SERIES OF WEEK LONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD OLELO HAWAI'I (HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE), AND CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS THROUGH AINA (LAND), WAHI PANA (SIGNIFICANT PLACES/SITES), AND 'IKE HAWAI'I (HAWAIIAN KNOWLEDGE) HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS FROM EAST HAWAI'I HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE BASED SCHOOLS IN GRADES K- 12. IN THE 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR THE SERIES INCLUDES FIVE DISTINCT PROGRAMS INCLUDING LOKO I'A (TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN FISHPONDS) , MALAMA KA WAI (WATERSHEDS), HANA NO'EAU (TRADITIONAL ARTS), HOLOKAI(NAVIGATION AND SAILING), AND PAPA IMU (FOOD PREPARATION AND SECURITY). THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CULTIVATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF AINA AND COMMUNITY KIA'I (CARE TAKERS). THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY OFFERED IN THE FALL AND SPRING INTERCESSIONS AND THE SUMMER BREAK. ONE-TIME VISITS: HUI HO'OLEIMALUO EXTENDS LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO ANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR ONE-TIME VISITS UPON REQUEST VIA EMAIL. TO THIS END, AND ON OCCASION, WE HAVE HOSTED PRESCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND FOREIGN VISITORS FOR THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THIS PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO INCREASING THE KNOWLEDGE OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE KEAUKAHA COASTLINE FOR THE STUDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 December 2019.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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