The Olohana ‘Ohana
The Olohana Foundation is a collaborative working in the spirit of aloha. We are focused on building community capacity and cohesiveness around systems of food, energy, and knowledge so that in times of crises, the community can respond swiftly and effectively.
The collaborative includes a diverse network of people and partners. Olohana works to establish relationships with its partners around projects and items needing social action. Partners share their research, data, data analysis, skills, knowledge, spirit, and commitment to creating community and gather regularly to discuss community issues.
Partners include the NOAA National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration, NCAR National Center for Atmospheric Research Rising Voices, IPCCWG Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Change Working Group, the PRiMO IKE Pacific Risk Management ‘Ohana Indigenous Knowledge and Environment Hui, UH NDPTC University of Hawaii National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, the Intertribal Council On Utility Policy (COUP) and HINU Haskell Indian Nations University in the areas of climate variability and extreme weather preparedness assessment and training. With Intertribal COUP, Olohana engages with the Indian Land Tenure Foundation seeking funding for food security and renewable energy projects.
The Olohana ‘ohana includes but is not limited to the following organizations and individuals:
Community Groups
ATA Ala Kahakai Trail Association Hawaii County Community Group
Kailapa Community Association, Hawaii County
Public Sector
NOAA National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration Office for Coastal Management
Pacific Islands Services Program
NPS National Park Service, Ala Kahakai National Trail, DOI
IKE Hui: Indigenous Knowledge and Education Working Group,
IPCCWG Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Change Working Group
PACOM, Pacific Command, Pearl Harbor
PRiMO Pacific Risk Management Ohana
Veterans Health Administration, Hawaii
Schools, Colleges, and Universities
Connections Charter School, Hilo Hawaii County
Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
FEMA/UH NDPTC University of Hawaii National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, (DHS/FEMA and member NDPC National Domestic Preparedness Consortium)
HINU Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence, Kansas
KALO Kanu O Ka Aina 20th Century Learning Ohana
UCAR/NCAR University Corporation for Atmospheric Research/National Center for Atmospheric Research Rising Voices
Private Sector
Kiksapa Consulting LLC, Mandan, ND
Lomikai Media
Non-Governmental Organizations
E Mau Nā Ala Hele, State of Hawaii Hiking and Trail Association
Intertribal COUP: Intertribal Council On Utility Policy
NCAI National Congress of American Indians
PNTS Partnership for the National Trails Systems
Board Members
Jeff McKnight; Board President – Rising Sun Solar + Electric, ZAF Energy Systems Inc.
James Love; Board Secretary/ Treasurer – Love Family Farms
Carolyn Bjur; Board Director
George Cattermole; Board Member – San Gregorio General Store, Stanford University
StevenConger; Board Member – P4P Energy, Yale University
Penny Livingston-Stark; Board Member – Regenerative Design Institute, Gaia University
M. Kalani Souza; Founding Director – Olohana Foundation, PRiMO, UH NDPTC, IPCCWG
Advisors and Consultants
Craig Elevitch, author and educator in agroforestry and sustainable human agroecosystems
Bob Gough, attorney, renewable energy expert, and secretary for Intertribal COUP
Ramsay Taum, cultural sustainability and strategic planning expert and community advocate
Staff
Kalia Lydgate, Olohana Foundation; Executive Director
Claire Pavlik Purgus, Olohana Foundation, Brandeis University; Associate Director