Research Institute for Hawaiiusa
Research Institute for Hawaii.USA is a private foundation based in Honolulu, Hawaii. It says it works to publish and disseminate historic documents related to constitutional and civic history in Hawaii, and supports conferences and organizations that inform citizens about U.S. history.
Research Institute for Hawaiiusa at a glance
In short: Research Institute for Hawaiiusa gave $36K across 28 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in Hawaii. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $36,331
- +255.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 28
- +211.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,298
- +14.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $754
- Total assets
- $6,695
- -40.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (68% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Research Institute for Hawaiiusa
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 55 Merchant St Rm/Ste 1905, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 497-4100
Website: https://rihiusa.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Research Institute for Hawaiiusa funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was We Talk Story ($11K). Together the top 10 received $27K.
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 54 grants of 54 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Hawaii organizations received 68% of grant dollars. Other shares went to organizations in California (9%), Connecticut (7%), Virginia (6%), and the District of Columbia (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Research Institute for Hawaiiusa gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2020) to $36K (2024). In 2024 it made 28 grants totaling $36K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| We Talk Story Honolulu, HI | General Support | $11,000 |
| Center for Civic Edu Calabasas, CA | General Support | $3,000 |
| US Coast Guard Foundation Stonington, CT | General Support | $2,600 |
| Lahaina Restoration Foundation Lahaina, HI | General Support | $2,041 |
| University of Hawai'i Honolulu, HI | General Support | $2,000 |
| Aloha United Way Honolulu, HI | General Support | $1,500 |
| Brady United Washington, DC | General Support | $1,400 |
| Historic Hawaii Foundation Honolulu, HI | General Support | $1,292 |
| USO Inc Arlington, VA | General Support | $1,259 |
| Hawaii Public Radio Honolulu, HI | General Support | $1,200 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,695 | $119,000 | $129,960 | $36,331 | 28 | $82,328 |
| 2023 | $11,206 | $151,000 | $172,715 | $10,232 | 9 | $112,645 |
| 2022 | $36,010 | $168,000 | $153,988 | $5,603 | 3 | $93,894 |
| 2021 | $17,673 | $144,526 | $151,203 | $5,858 | 11 | $102,219 |
| 2020 | $23,942 | $217,900 | $224,474 | $1,508 | 3 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The institute’s stated mission is to publish and disseminate historic documents related to U.S. constitutional civic progress in Hawaii and to support a better understanding of the role of U.S. constitutional policies in Hawaii’s history. Its stated purpose is to uncover overlooked historic documents and promote positive aspects of Western values brought to Hawaii from the United States.
Its 2024 filing describes research, review, publication, and dissemination of U.S. historic documents, along with work on museum exhibit reviews. The 2024 grants include support for a range of organizations. For example, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation says its mission is to encourage preservation of historic buildings, objects, and sites in Hawaii; Hawaii Public Radio says it informs, inspires, and connects people in Hawaii; and Hawaii Theatre Center says it works to restore, renovate, and operate the Hawaii Theatre as a performance center.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the institute reported 28 grants totaling $36,331. Grant amounts ranged from $20 to $11,000, with a median of $754. The largest grants included $11,000 to We Talk Story, $3,000 to Center for Civic Education, $2,600 to U.S. Coast Guard Foundation, $2,041 to Lahaina Restoration Foundation, and $2,000 to University of Hawai‘i. Other grants included $1,500 to Aloha United Way, $1,400 to Brady United, $1,292 to Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, $1,259 to USO Inc., $1,200 to Hawaii Public Radio, and $1,000 to Hawaii Theatre Center.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Christopher J. Haig, Valerie Koenig, and Michael C. Owens as officers or directors. The filing identifies Koenig and Owens as directors.
Research Institute for Hawaiiusa's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; 2 of 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Valerie Koenig
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$14K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Michael C. Owens
Director
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
$9K (2024)
Christopher J. Haig
Volunteerpre
President, CEO & Director → Volunteerpre, 2022
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Julie Molloy (2020–2023) — Secretary & Executive A · Filing note: Thru 12/27/2023
- Former: Mackinnon Simpson (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 $13K, to Valerie Koenig (Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Research Institute for Hawaiiusa
How much does Research Institute for Hawaiiusa give each year?
Research Institute for Hawaiiusa gave $36K across 28 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $10K across 9 grants.
What is Research Institute for Hawaiiusa's typical grant size?
Research Institute for Hawaiiusa's median grant in 2024 was $754, and its average grant was $1,298, across 28 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Research Institute for Hawaiiusa give grants?
Research Institute for Hawaiiusa gives mostly in Hawaii: 68% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (9%) and Connecticut (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Honolulu, HI (14 grants), Arlington, VA (2 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Research Institute for Hawaiiusa give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Research Institute for Hawaiiusa's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (28 of 28) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Research Institute for Hawaiiusa's largest grantees?
Research Institute for Hawaiiusa's largest 2024 grantees include We Talk Story ($11,000), Center for Civic Edu ($3,000) and US Coast Guard Foundation ($2,600), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Research Institute for Hawaiiusa?
Research Institute for Hawaiiusa reported $7K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $119K.
What does Research Institute for Hawaiiusa fund?
The institute’s stated mission is to publish and disseminate historic documents related to U.S. constitutional civic progress in Hawaii and to support a better understanding of the role of U.S. constitutional policies in Hawaii’s history. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Research Institute for Hawaiiusa?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Research Institute for Hawaiiusa's EIN?
Research Institute for Hawaiiusa's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-0355824. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Research Institute for Hawaiiusa accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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