Under-served Kohala Students Received Support from O’neill Foundation January 27, 2021

Additional support and resources for North Kohala students and their ʻohana to aid them during the pandemic.

See the story in the Kohala Mountain News, here.

The Partners in Development Foundation received a $27,027 grant from the William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation for the Piha Me Ka Pono program. The funding will provide North Kohala community students additional educational support and resources to enhance their school experience, which has been drastically altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, community workshops will be offered based on the needs of the community and can include, but not be limited to, financial literacy, first aid and CPR, Hawaiian culture, and other certifications. 

Piha Me Ka Pono sparks unique partnerships with community agencies to meet the needs of Kohala Complex students and their ʻohana, servicing beyond academic requirements like collaborating with the high school culinary arts school students to cook and prepare food for community events and health assistance to build a healthy and resilient community.  

Past and current partnerships and efforts allow Piha Me Ka Pono to supplement innovation and keep up with the ever changing needs and challenges of the community, particularly with the pandemic. These projects include utilizing a 3D printer to create PPE like masks, Medical Assistant Certifications for high school students, and a resilience hub that supports working parents with a safe place where their  child can be supported with their distance learning and interact with others during the pandemic.  To learn more about Piha Me Ka Pono or support their efforts, please visit pidf.org/piliapaa