Aha Punana Leo
To drive and inspire change to ensure a living hawaiian language in Hawaii and beyond.
Aha Punana Leo at a glance
In short: Aha Punana Leo gave $402K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $201K), mostly in Hawaii. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $401,547
- +322.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $200,774
- +111.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $200,774
- Total assets
- $32,116,053
- +13.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Aha Punana Leo funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ke Kula O Nawahi ($402K across 2 grants).
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 13 (31%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Aha Punana Leo gives
- Giving fell 39% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $95K (2023) to $1.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $402K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ke Kula O Nawahi Keaau, HI | Teacher Professional Development | $392,047 |
| Ke Kula O Nawahi Keaau, HI | Early Learning Dual Credit Program | $9,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $32,116,053 | $11,143,951 | $8,169,981 | $401,547 | 2 | $145,140 |
| 2023 | $28,424,982 | $9,482,632 | $6,745,908 | $95,000 | 1 | $302,047 |
| 2022 | $25,354,885 | $8,674,857 | $6,359,246 | $544,248 | 4 | $196,201 |
| 2021 | $23,875,245 | $6,915,753 | $5,781,973 | $660,914 | 3 | $241,712 |
| 2020 | $22,160,700 | $6,846,427 | $5,573,055 | $1,106,016 | 3 | $210,730 |
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.
Focus Areas
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
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.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Aha Punana Leo funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Aha Punana Leo's focus areas in our free grants database
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