Aha Punana Leo logo

Aha Punana Leo

Public charity · Grantmaker Hilo, HI EIN: 99-0226111 Website

To drive and inspire change to ensure a living hawaiian language in Hawaii and beyond.

Key facts about Aha Punana Leo

In short: Aha Punana Leo gave $402K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $201K), mostly in Hawaii. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

EIN
99-0226111
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$401,547
Grants made (2024)
2
Average grant
$200,774
Median grant
$200,774
Total assets
$32,116,053
Primary geography
Hawaii (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$32.1M

+13.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$402K

+322.7% YoY

Grant Count

2

+100.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$201K

+111.3% YoY

How Aha Punana Leo gives

  • Giving fell 39% from 2021 to 2024. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

About Aha Punana Leo

Based on IRS filings

Aha Punana Leo is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Hilo, HI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $32.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $402K. Net investment income was $145K.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.

States

Cities

KeaauKekahaHonolulu

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M3 grants2020 3 grants2021 4 grants2022 1 grant2023 2 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $95K (2023) to $1.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $402K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2024

Ke Kula O Nawahi: $402K across 2 grantsKe Kula O Nawahi$402K · 2 grants

The largest 2024 recipient was Ke Kula O Nawahi ($402K across 2 grants).

Grant Size Distribution

13 grants across all recorded years

4<$50K2$50–100K2$100–250K3$250–500K2$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 13 (31%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Ke Kula O Nawahi Keaau, HITeacher Professional Development$392,047
Ke Kula O Nawahi Keaau, HIEarly Learning Dual Credit Program$9,500

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$32,116,053$28,424,982$25,354,885
Revenue$11,143,951$9,482,632$8,674,857
Expenses$8,169,981$6,745,908$6,359,246
Net Investment Income$145,140$302,047$196,201

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Aha Punana Leo is led by Ka'iulani Laeha, CEO on every filing since 2020; 3 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Ka'iulani Laeha

    CEO

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $135K (2020) → $146K (2024)

  • Kauanoe Kamana

    President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • K. Sean Kekina

    COO

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $108K (2020) → $110K (2024)

  • Cristin Gallagher

    CFO

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $6K (2024)

  • Ki'ope Raymond

    Secretary

    Director → Member, 2022

    Member → Secretary, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Larry Kimura

    Member

    Director → Member, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • William H. Wilson

    Member

    Director → Member, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Hulilau Wilson

    Member

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Keawe Lopes

    Member

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (3)
  • Former: Alohilani Rogers (2022) — Secretary
  • Former: Malia 'alohilani Rogers (2020–2021) — Secretary
  • Former: R. Keawe Lopes Jr. (2020–2021) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Ka'iulani Laeha — CEO: $146KKa'iulani LaehaCEO$146KK Sean Kekina — COO: $110KK Sean KekinaCOO$110KCristin Gallagher — CFO: $6KCristin GallagherCFO$6K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $146K, to Ka'iulani Laeha (CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Aha Punana Leo

How much does Aha Punana Leo give each year?

Aha Punana Leo gave $402K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $95K across 1 grant.

How large is Aha Punana Leo?

Aha Punana Leo reported $32.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.1M.

What is Aha Punana Leo?

Aha Punana Leo is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Hilo, HI. It holds $32.1M in total assets as of 2024.

Where does Aha Punana Leo operate?

Aha Punana Leo has awarded grants in Hawaii.

What is Aha Punana Leo's EIN?

Aha Punana Leo's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-0226111. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

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