Ho'ākoakoa Lāhui Event Sponsorship Program Grant

The Hoʻākoakoa Lāhui Event Sponsorship Program aims to support nonprofit organizations in Hawaiʻi by providing funding for events that benefit the Native Hawaiian community. With a maximum budget request of $15,000, the program encourages events that promote cultural practices, community engagement, and public resources. Eligible events include award ceremonies, community gatherings, and fundraisers, ensuring they align with the mission of enhancing the lifestyle and entitlements of Native Hawaiians.

NOTE: Deadlines are as follows:
The Grants Portal for Quarter 1 will open on January 1, 2026 and close on February 27, 2026.Quarter 2 (October 2026 – December 2026): events and all future cycles, applications will be submitted through OHA’s Grants Portal. The Grants Portal for Quarter 2 will open on April 1, 2026 and close on May 29, 2026.Quarter 3 (January 2027 – March 2027): events and all future cycles, applications will be submitted through OHA’s Grants Portal. The Grants Portal for Quarter 3 will open on July 1, 2027 and close on August 31, 2026.Quarter 4 (April 2027 – June 2027): events and all future cycles, applications will be submitted through OHA’s Grants Portal. The Grants Portal for Quarter 4 will open on October 1, 2027 and close on November 30, 2026.
Ala Nuʻukia (Mission)
To mālama Hawaiʻi’s people and environmental resources, and OHA’s assets, toward ensuring the perpetuation of the culture, the enhancement of lifestyle and the protection of entitlements of Native Hawaiians, while enabling the building of a strong and healthy Hawaiian people and lāhui, recognized nationally and internationally.
Purpose
The purpose of the Hoʻākoakoa Lāhui Event Sponsorship Program is to provide funding support for nonprofit organizations to host events that provide significant benefits to the Native Hawaiian community; align with OHA’s Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan; and offer OHA valuable opportunities for community engagement, partnerships, and public relations. Hoʻākoakoa Lāhui means “to assemble the lāhui together.” This program is a consolidation of OHA’s former sponsorship and ʻAhahui grant programs.
Qualified Events
All events must occur within the State of Hawaiʻi. Eligible events include the following:
Award/Recognition eventsBuilding dedications or groundbreaking ceremoniesCommunity events that are free to the public and increase access to public and private resources, programs, and informationCommunity events that are free to the public and celebrate or highlight our aliʻi or significant historical eventsCommunity gatherings of Native Hawaiian practitioners for the purpose of education and/or to perpetuate cultural practicesCommunity events that provide services that benefit our ʻāina and culture (mālama ʻāina, mālama iwi kūpuna, ʻōiwi wellbeing, etc.)Native Hawaiian conventionsFundraisers or charity events that benefit the Native Hawaiian community
Note: Multi-day events are allowed, however, event dates must occur within a 30-day (one month) period. Events that extend beyond 30 days are ineligible. OHA funds shall not be used for entertainment or perquisites (perks) per HRS 10-17(b)(3) however, HRS 10-17(b) does not expressly prohibit grantees from having or providing “entertainment or perquisites” as some aspect of their event.
Funding
Maximum budget request is $15,000.00, no minimum requirement.

Eligibility

Must be a nonprofit, community-based organization in the State of Hawaiʻi verifiable by a required IRS letter of determination.Must complete the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Hoʻākoakoa Lāhui event application.Must submit a certificate of vendor compliance.Must submit a W-9.Must comply with all HRS 10-17 requirements.Maximum budget request is $15,000.00, no minimum requirement. Requests for exceptions to the maximum budget request require justification in the comments/questions section of the application.

Ineligibility

Events that extend beyond 30 days are ineligible. OHA funds shall not be used for entertainment or perquisites (perks) per HRS 10-17(b)(3) however, HRS 10-17(b) does not expressly prohibit grantees from having or providing “entertainment or perquisites” as some aspect of their event.