Creating for All…
protecting the species that call kaua‘i home to see Native Hawaiian plants in their natural habitat. They help us out a lot, but they also appreciate the service learning projects we offer and the opportunity to give back.”
Of all extinct plants and birds in America, three-fourths lived only in the Hawaiian islands.
And for Always
Today, the endangered species that remain may still have a fighting chance at survival, with help from groups like the “Visitors come from Koke‘e Resource all over the world to see Conservation Native Hawaiian plants in Program (KRCP). their natural habitat. Since 1998, its They also appreciate the 31,000 volunteers opportunity to give back.” have removed ten Cherith Andrade million invasive - Resource Koke‘e plants from Conservation Program Kaua‘i’s forests. The success comes partially from KRCP’s mission to provide a rewarding experience for its volunteers. From local schoolchildren to
retired tourists to overseas groups, they make deep personal connections to the land, discover new populations of endangered plants, and live the spirit of aloha. “Koke‘e is a place where you can disconnect. And connect with the forest,” says Cherith Andrade of KRCP. “Visitors come from all over the world
As a highperforming nonprofit, KRCP was awarded a $10,000 FLEX Grant from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF), and its generous donors recognize the need to support KRCP; Hawai‘i has 33% of all endangered species in the U.S., yet receives only 5% of federal funding allotted for endangered species protection.
“KRCP founder Katie Cassel really made me appreciate Koke‘e and what it provides,” says Cherith. “I’m the next generation of caretakers, and I’m saving something beautiful for my children.”
DID YOU KNOW: FLEX Grants from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation are unrestricted, giving the recipient organization discretion to determine how best to use the funds to support their operations, infrastructure or programs. Across the state, 189 high-performing nonprofits have been awarded a total of $4.4 million in unrestricted funds in 2019.
Learn how to transform your generosity into lasting change at HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org