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Lamalama Ka Ulu

EIN 86-2804766 · Pepeekeo, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To support the emotional, physical and spiritual health of our community and 'aina, through traditional holistic healing and education.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$326,730
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
21.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
85
Highest pay
$34,624, vice president

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 78% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.4 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 88% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 608% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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 (4)
  1. $67,483 spent. Hoonaauao (Education)-advanced Indigenous education through hands-on learning and national exchange. The organization hosted and filmed a kupuna scholar on Queen Liliuokalani, preserving intergenerational knowledge. We led workshops and convenings on healing justice and land rematriation, piloted a lomilomi apprenticeship for youth, and represented Hawaii at national Indigenous justice conferences. Partnerships with youth and community groups fostered cultural restoration, soil health, and civic awareness through La Hoihoi Ea and Aha Lomilomi events.
  2. $46,095 spent. Hoola (Healing)-the organization expanded its healing programs rooted in lomilomi, laau lapaau, and hooponopono. Following the Lahaina fire, the organization coordinated medicine-making, sending six practitioners to offer hands-on healing and continued deliveries of traditional remedies to Maui. Community lomilomi sessions at the aina flourished, supported by new equipment donations from Hawaiian elders and partners. Preparations began for hydrocolon therapy and a sustainable healing center. Our practitioners also served at ceremonies and gatherings, extending Indigenous birthwork and death care-upholding the full arc of healing from conception to kupuna.
  3. $35,364 spent. Aina (That Which Feeds)-stewards 5.5 acres of community healing land dedicated to food sovereignty, cultural restoration, and ecological care. In 2024, the organization harvested and distributed over 5,000 pounds of fruit and kalo to kpuna homes, food banks, schools, and incarcerated community members. We hosted the Ahahui Lomilomi Hawaii conference, gathering cultural healers and elders for teaching and ceremony. New infrastructure including a tool shed, irrigation, and county water supports ongoing restoration, native planting, and preparation for future certified kitchen and hydrotherapy programs.
  4. $32,918 spent. Hoomana (Prayer Led Relations)-deepened prayer-led relations across islands and nations. In 2024, the organization hosted Indigenous partners from Tahiti, Papua New Guinea, and Hawaii, engaged with Going Home Hawaii to support reentry through culture and healing, and celebrated Makahiki with ceremony and traditional games. Kupuna pohaku were placed to establish a ceremonial center, and we hosted a hoolewa to honor a board member's life. Exchanges with Sogorea Te' Land Trust and the Muskogee Nation strengthened global Indigenous solidarity. Through mele, oli, and shared meals, The organization nurtured prayer-led relations that unify people and place.

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 January 2024.

    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.