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Hanalei Initiative

EIN 83-1572601 · Hanalei, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Building strong networks and partnerships to drive impactful actions to malama our Kauai north shore community to thrive.

Income
$7.4 million
Spending
$6.6 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
42
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$106,236, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 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 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $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

    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

    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 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 (7)
  1. $6.3 million spent. Transportation: Since 2018, the Kauai North Shore Shuttle augments the County's public transportation system by providing more access to public transportation, reducing congestion. In 2021 the shuttle program was expanded and became integral to the integrated access and entry system to the Haena State Park to enable better stewardship of cultural and natural resources and reduce other impacts of congestion and overuse on the surrounding community. This was to fulfill the legislative intent in state law regarding state parks "that are designated by the [State of Hawaii] Board of Land and Natural Resources as environmentally, culturally, historically, or operationally unique and are supported by nonprofit corporations incorporated in accordance with state law solely for purposes of supporting state aims and goals of the designated state park, and operating under agreement with the appropriate agency solely for those purposes, aims, and goals, and to lessen the burden on government.
  2. $139,753 spent. University of Hawaii - National Science Foundation environmental project.
  3. $26,610 spent. Wastewater strategies and feasibility investigation is a grant-funded program that began in October 2024 to implement a feasibility investigation into viable wastewater treatment strategies for the town of Hanalei. There is also a groundwater measuring system that will help inform wastewater work going forward. This was funded by a USDA Technical and Training grant program award received in 2025.
  4. $25,075 spent. Community Outreach.
  5. $23,029 spent. County Parks: We support improvements and upkeep of some aspects of County of Kauai parks in Hanalei.
  6. $14,008 spent. Economic Development: Provide a clean, affordable, and productive shared workspace meeting and learning center to assist the community in the development of entrepreneurial skills promoting a diversified economic base.
  7. $9,934 spent. Flood Impact Mitigation: Building on our UH/NSF project efforts, we are implementing solutions that mitigate flood-related impacts to the North Shore community and other organizations. County of Kauai sub-grant administered by Hale Halawai 'Ohana 'O Hanalei. This is a 5-year project that received an initial award in March 2024.

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 October 2018.

    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.