KAHEA receives OHA Kauhale grant to continue environmental justice work in Wai`anae

Contact: Shelley Muneoka, shelley@kahea.org, 393-4745

KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance has received a grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) in the amount of $23,520 to be used in the coming year to forward our environmental justice work on the Wai`anae Coast.

This grant will fund the continuation of environmental justice bus tours which provide a unique firsthand opportunity to see cultural sites, hear traditional mo`olelo, and visit places that tell a story of environmental injustice as well as places and people that are forging the way for a healthier future for Wai`anae.

Past bus tours fostered partnerships within the community between the Wai`anae Farmer’s Market, MA`O Organic Farms, Kahumana Farms, Ka`ala Cultural Learning Center and many small family farms. The bus tours also bring awareness to people who live outside of Wai`anae, creating relationships and strong advocates who later offer support in submitting testimony and participating in public hearings on Wai`anae environmental and cultural issues.

The grant also provides funding for continued monthly community meetings to keep a pulse on community concerns and events and to build solidarity.

Shelley Muneoka, the outreach coordinator at KAHEA, said,“We’re excited and grateful to receive this grant as the bus tours have been popular and in high demand. We’ve had to turn people away each time we’ve hosted a tour, but we can now look forward to accommodating more riders.”

The funding period is from March 2012 through February 2013.

For more information or to join a tour, please contact KAHEA at 524-8220 or e-mail shelley@kahea.org

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