Who can apply?
Families currently enrolled and actively participating in FCIL Programs of INPEACE, PIDF, ʻAha Pūnana Leo, and participating Hawaiian-focused Charter Preschools, are welcome to apply to the KAʻA program. Preference is given to participants who meet two or more of the following criteria:
- Native Hawaiian
- Family member unemployed or underemployed due to COVID-19
- Household income at 200% of Poverty Level for Hawaiʻi or below
- Homeless
- Special needs child
- Foster Family
- Teen Parent
- Single Parent
- Orphaned Child
- Incarcerated Parent/Legal Guardian
- Kupuna raising grandchildren
Families are required to maintain a 60% or more attendance rate and involvement in their early education program to receive incentive deposits. Applications for Children's Savings Accounts must be submitted by FCIL/ʻAha Pūnana Leo/participating Hawaiian-focused Charter Preschool Staff only. KAʻA will not accept applications directly from participants.
Recent News
From Classroom to Community: UH Hilo Students Champion Tūtū and Me
Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool Program Director, Amanda Ishigo, walked into an English classroom at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, she expected to share — she didn’t expect to be moved. What unfolded was a reminder of exactly why community programs like Tūtū and Me matter so deeply. The visit came at the invitation…
May 8, 2026 – Statement from PIDF
Aloha e PIDF participants, partners, and supporters, Yesterday afternoon, we received notice that Senator Schatz negotiated an agreement with Secretary McMahon of the U.S. Department of Education to continue funding the Native Hawaiian Education Program (NHEP) for current grantees for another fiscal year. While this news is encouraging as a critical short-term step forward, it…
April 14, An Organizational Update from PIDF
Aloha e Valued Partners and Supporters of PIDF, For nearly 30 years Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) has provided culturally grounded, family-centered programs rooted in Native Hawaiian values and traditions – supporting keiki, ʻōpio, and ʻohana across the pae ʻāina. Today, our programs continue to operate and serve our communities as they always have. As…
Kupa ʻAina Farm CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
March 20, 2026 Aloha Kupa ʻAina ʻOhana, We are writing to inform you that Kupa ‘Aina Farm will be closed to all participants till further notice due to ongoing inclement weather conditions and adequate shelter. Consistent rainfall, along with already saturated terrain from the recent storm, has created unsafe working conditions across the farm. The…