Hawaii Environmental Restoration
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Restoration and protection of the Keauohana Native State Forest Reserve.
- Income
- $93,738
- Spending
- $96,416
- Reserves
- 7.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Highest pay
- $23,790, president & ceo & project director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 52% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 (1)
- *Hawaii Environmental Restoration*'s (HER) primary project focuses on the restoration and preservation of Keau'ohana State Forest Reserve, the largest and most intact lowland rainforest remaining below 1,000 feet in the State of Hawai'i. Since June of 2014, Keau'ohana has undergone an intensive restoration process that has focused on the control of invasive plant species, and the planting of native species on what is now ~20 acres of the most biodiverse portion of the reserve. This FY 2024-25 marked 11 years of HER's committed work in the Keau'ohana Forest Reserve, launching its ninth systematic restoration pass in August 2024 and completing the cycle by July of 2025. HER facilitated nine volunteer field days and participated in ten outreach and educational events over the course of the year-bringing the number of special event days to 19. In total, 151 individuals contributed 635 hours of service toward HER environmental and educational efforts. A total of 855 native seedlings were planted during FY 2024-25-contributing to a long-term vision of returning shaded native forest canopy to degraded areas. It was a steady and meaningful year for HER, demonstrating consistent management, robust community engagement, and continued ecological care.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 March 2019.
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.