Programs & Services

Serving the community since 1997.

Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) is committed to strengthening our communities through the strategic implementation of innovative programs and projects.

We have developed a range of programs in the areas of education, social services, Hawaiian language and culture, and the environment. These programs have served over 128,000 keiki and families in communities throughout Hawaiʻi.

Learn more about our programs & services:

Multi-Generational Education

Multi-Generational Education

Our education programs engage keiki to kūpuna, supporting families as first teachers in culturally and developmentally appropriate early childhood learning, caregiver education, and curriculum studies in reading, math, and science. Programs include Tūtū and Me, Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana, Ka Paʻalana, and Pili A Paʻa.
Strengthening Families & Communities

Strengthening Families & Communities

Our social services programs address the needs of some of our most vulnerable youth and families, including children in foster care and opportunity youth, or “youth of promise” affected by adverse childhood experiences. Programs include Project Pilina and Ke Kama Pono, as well as Covid Response efforts.
Island Resiliency

Island Resiliency

Our vision for healthy and resilient communities throughout Hawaiʻi begins with food security and self-determination. Through the engagement of our youth and families in caring for the ʻāina and each other, we empower healing. Programs include our Kupa ʻAina natural farming project as well as community-building partnerships. 

PAST PROGRAMS

PAST PROGRAMS

The Hawaiian Bible Project began in 2002 to preserve and perpetuate the Baibala Hemolele by republishing the Hawaiian Bible in digital format to increase access for the next generation of Hawaiian language readers. Several versions of the Hawaiian Bible Project were published throughout the years, with the latest version released in 2018, Ka Baibala Hemolele: The Holy Bible, the first full bilingual Hawaiian-English Bible. For more information about Ka Baibala Hemolele visit, https://pidf.org/language/baibala/

The Green Machine was a tank-based, constructed wetland wastewater treatment facility located in beautiful Makiki Valley State Recreational area in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. It recycled wastewater from the Hawai‘i Nature Center for irrigation on site in nearby fields. Constructed wetland technology uses the biology of Native Hawaiian wetland plants and bacteria to purify water.

Download the Green Machine Diagram.

The Ho‘oma‘ema‘ewai program was a watershed-inspired, experiential education effort to assist with the implementation of Hawaiʻi content standards-based math and science curriculum. The program's curriculum emphasized Hawaiian culture and values for project-based learning at Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School. Through a partnership with the Hawaiʻi Nature Center, the program staff created meaningful mentoring opportunities based around environmental science activities on the island of O‘ahu.

The Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentoring Program (NHSEMP) was designed to help create a model for Native Hawaiian Higher Education through comprehensive support involving outreach, recruitment, retention, and placement strategies aimed at increasing the number of Native Hawaiians in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

This Program was developed by the University of Hawai‘i's College of Engineering in collaboration with Partners In Development to increase the number of Native Hawaiian students on a career path to leadership in the fields of engineering and sciences. Instilling excitement, desire, and confidence for Native Hawaiian students to achieve success in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics by academic community and support will be main objective.

The No Vote No Grumble (NVNG) campaign was established in 2006. Its initial goal was to educate 10,000 people on the importance of voter registration, voter education, and showing up at the polls to cast their vote. Through sign waving, radio and TV ads, setting up voter registration booths, and a rally at ʻIolani Palace the goal was achieved.

The mission of NVNG was to increase civic engagement, including registering and educating voters, especially with the underrepresented/underserved populations. It was a non-partisan initiative guided by the Native Hawaiian values of kuleana (responsibility) and nā lima kōkua (helping hands; cooperativeness).

The Pono Policy Academy began in 2018 with funding support from the League of Women Voters Education Fund. A training program was developed for individuals who would like to serve in public office. This program also provided information to groups and individuals on how the legislative process functions.

Pono Policy Academy was a non-partisan effort open to anyone interested. In addition to teaching participants the skills needed to run a campaign, much time was spent on explaining the practice of "Pono Politics.”

The STEM Scholars mission is to positively impact Hawai‘i’s students in the content areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Using the Hawaiian value of Malama ‘aina as a guiding principle, STEM offers programs to make students aware that they stewards are of our island home, and encourages scholarship in the STEM fields.

Download the Stem Scholars Brochure. 

The Tech Together Program was an exciting ten day program that taught sixth grade students and their families about renewable and non-renewable energy. With the partnership of public and charter schools, this creative program delivered science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in a stimulating and interactive way that inspired students to view these fields as prospective careers. The program highlighted the resourcefulness of the Hawaiian people and encouraged students to think in terms of conservation, preservation, and sustainability.