Vision, Mission & Focus
The Pūʻā Foundation was created out of an apology, redress and reconciliation initiative of the United Church of Christ for its complicity in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Government. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was incorporated in 1996.
Our Vision & Mission
Our vision is through pū’ā, the process of feeding, nourishing, and strengthening, there will be the emergence of enlightened communities and society. To help in the passing from one to another generation the nourishment of our ancestral dignity from which we revitalize our national consciousness. Through such acts of humanity, new life springs forth. So shall it be with the Hawaiian people.
Our mission is to actively engage, facilitate and serve communities and their efforts to build a resilient society and improve upon their quality of life through healing and reconciliation efforts that address consequences of the 1893 overthrow.
We consider the over-representation of Native Hawaiians in the criminal justice system as an example of such a consequence. We believe there is a correlation of imprisonment rates and historical, community and individual trauma and thus a primary focus is to support families affected by trauma and incarceration, especially justice-involved women.
Our Focus
We engage in community organizing, capacity building and training, connecting resources to need in an aligned, strategic and comprehensive way striving to reduce recidivism and end the over-representation of Native Hawaiian women incarcerated.
Our 25 Year Timeline
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Established as a 501c3 non-profit organization in 1996; Board of Directors operated as a Volunteer Board and focused on: 1) assets administration; 2) vision and purpose; and 3) program development (Sovereignty, Prison, Community Support/Grants).
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The Executive Director was hired in 2000 and focused on: formal development, adoption, and implementation of administrative and programmatic plans, policies and procedures.
Three programs were developed: 1) Community Support/Grants; 2) Training and Technical Assistance; and 3) Forum/Dialogue.
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Programming was updated with the discontinuation of the community support/grants and training and technical assistance programs and a transition into: 1) Research Development, 2) Product Development, and 3) Updated Forum/Dialogue was initiated.
These projects: Hawaiian Historical Production Project; Huliau/Trauma Informed Care Initiative (TICI); and Nā Leo o Ke Ola, were part of each of the program categories.
In 2011, the Ua Mau Ke Ea Community Educational materials, a textbook and DVDs were developed. Pūʻā was part of the leadership team for the TICI at the Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC), and Pūʻā was asked to lead the TICI at Family Court and Office for Youth Services (OYS) for the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility, Kapolei Detention Center, and Home Maluhia Shelter.
2011 – Published Ua Mau Ke Ea Textbook & DVDs
2012 – WCCC – TICI with Pilot Study
2012 – Hawaiian Lecture Series Course began at WCCC using Ua Mau Ke Ea resources (now known as Cultural Healing & Well-being Course).
2012 – Oahu Going Home Consortium – Pūʻā Foundation began facilitating meetings and coordinating community organizing activities.
2013 – Family Court / OYS – TICI
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Continued to refine Program Categories; Trauma, Healing, and Justice – “Trauma to Transformation; Incarceration to Independence” and work with justice-involved women, girls and their families.
2013 – Women Supporting Women Gathering
2014 – Women Supporting Women – 1st Annual Fundraiser
2014 – PreTransition Course began at WCCC
2015 – National Girls Initiative Innovation Awardee for Girls Project, partnered w/Girls Court
2015 – Women Supporting Women – 2nd Annual Fundraiser
2016 – Women Supporting Women – 3rd Annual Fundraiser
2016 – Mercy House – Women’s Transitional Home Opens
2016 – PreTransition Course began at Federal Detention Center
2017 – Mana Wahine Ekahi (Female Empowerment Gathering – held at Aulani)
2017 – Women Supporting Women – 4th Annual Fundraiser
2017 – Waimanalo Community Farming Project – planting begins
2018 – Mana Wahine Elua (Female Empowerment Gathering – held at Aulani)
2018-Ekolu Mea Nui – community fundraiser for Pūʻā – replaced Women Supporting Women fundraiser
2019 – Certified Peer Support Training begins
2020 – COVID-19 – Challenging Year for All
2021 – Celebrating 25 years of community service