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Passes our checks

Hiki Ola

EIN 83-2838760 · Kealakekua, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair67 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

REFOREST DEGRADED LANDSCAPES TO NATIVE FOREST IN WAYS THAT EDUCATE AND ADVANCE HAWAIIAN CULTURAL PRACTICES. THIS LAND IS PROTECTED IN PERPETUITY WITH A CONSERVATION EASEMENT WHICH ENSURES THAT THE WORK THAT HIKI OLA DOES ON THE LAND IS ENDURING. THE LAND IS ESSENTIAL IN ADVANCING THE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION.

Income
$250,450
Spending
$78,168
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
39 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
0
Volunteers
500

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 39.0 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 69% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 375% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% 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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (4)
  1. $12,851 spent. HOSTED VISITS FOR STUDENTS FROM EHUNUIKAIMALINO, HAWAI'I TECH ACADEMY, KUA O KA LA, KONAWAENA HIGH SCHOOL SPECIAL ED., HALAU KIK, KA'UMEKE KA'EO, ALO KEHAU, AND HONAUNAU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
  2. $17,038 spent. FACILITATED WORKSHOPS TO ADVANCE NATIVE HAWAIIAN CRAFTWORK, ESPECIALLY TRADITIONAL WEAVING PRACTICES UTILIZING NATIVE VINE 'IE'IE. EACH WORKSHOP WAS FREE TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDED A DAY IN THE FOREST AND HANDS ON PRACTICAL CRAFTWORK.
  3. $3,390 spent. COMPLETED THE $177,499 RACIAL, EQUITY AND JUSTICE CONSERVATION COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TO BRIDGE NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS TO FARM BILL PROGRAMS THROUGH WORKSHOPS, CRITICAL DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS, AND REPORTING.
  4. $32,027 spent. HIKI OLA PROVIDED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR LOCAL CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS ASSISTING THEM IN PLANNING AND EXECUTING REFORESTATION PROJECT WORK. HIKI OLA PROVIDED A 2-MONTH COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM TO ASSIST INTERESTED STUDENTS IN CONSERVATION NON-PROFIT WORK. HIKI OLA CONTINUED WORK ON A COMMUNITY-BASED AGROFORESTRY PROJECT THAT WILL BE USED TO DEMONSTRATE THE CULTIVATION AND USE OF VARIOUS MEDICINAL AND EDIBLE NATIVE AND CANOE PLANTS.

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 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 May 2020.

    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 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.