Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium
The purpose of the Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium (FOWA) is to help people of all ages understand, love, care for and work to protect the life of the ocean through a commitment to excellence in educational and entertaining experiences, research and conservation.
Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium at a glance
- Total assets
- $4,919,649
- +8.1% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $485,117
- -10.4% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $244,327
- -31.2% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $287,145
- -5.9% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 1 grant totaling $250K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Waikiki Aquarium Honolulu, HI | To support the waikiki aquarium's mission to inspire and promote understanding, appreciation, and conservation of pacific marine life. | $250,000 |
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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 | $4,919,649 | $485,117 | $287,145 | — | — | $244,327 |
| 2023 | $4,551,853 | $541,723 | $305,064 | — | — | $354,973 |
| 2022 | $4,122,920 | $427,843 | $315,879 | — | — | $195,047 |
| 2021 | $5,085,899 | $465,291 | $320,326 | — | — | $372,206 |
| 2020 | $4,245,678 | $462,981 | $669,544 | $250,000 | 1 | $135,812 |
About Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium
Based on IRS filings
Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Honolulu, HI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.9M in total assets. Net investment income was $244K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium is led by Elizabeth Churchill, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elizabeth Churchill
Executive Director
Vice Chair → Interim Executive Director, 2022
Interim Executive Director → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$34K (2022) → $63K (2024)
Bryan Tepper
Co-Chairperson
Director → Co-Chairperson, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dirk Yoshizawa
Co-Chairperson
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Loomis
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Isobe
Director
Co-Treasurer → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monica Salter
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Taylor
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan Matsui
Treasurer
Co-Treasurer → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Cole
Secretary
Co-Chairperson → Co-Secretary, 2022
Co-Secretary → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Lee Higa-Okamoto (2020–2023) — Former Director
- Former: Charles Kelley (2020–2021) — Co-Secretary
- Former: David White (2020–2021) — Former Director
- Former: Timothy Guard (2020) — 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 $63K, to Elizabeth Churchill (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium
How large is Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium?
Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium reported $4.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $485K.
What is Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium?
Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Honolulu, HI. It holds $4.9M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium operate?
Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium has awarded grants in Hawaii.
What is Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium's EIN?
Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-0322295. 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium's focus areas in our free grants database
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