Following recent hurricanes Lala and Lowell, Kahākūkahi Ocean Academy, or KOA, is asking for continued support from the community as it rebuilds its damaged waterfront facilities in Lahaina.
According to the organization — which offers local youth free ocean-based education, environmental stewardship programs, mentorship, and more — the initial cost for repairs of its classroom, solar array and outrigger canoe, was estimated at $30,000, but two anonymous donors independently provided 15 solar panels and a four-person waʻa. Now, KOA is now looking to raise $18,000 to restore the classroom flooring and door in addition to hire labor for installing the new panels.
Its goal is to do so before fall groups begin to arrive as early as later this month, per the nonprofit.
“We will continue showing up. We're pivoting programs, honoring our commitments to schools and families, and doing everything we can to keep our keiki connected while we rebuild. But this time, we're also humbly asking for kōkua from those who believe in this work,” said waterman and KOA Executive Director Zane Schweitzer, in a statement.
Schweitzer founded the organization in 2000 to empower a deep connection mauka to makai, including beach cleanups where trash is turned into art. According to the nonprofit’s 2024 IRS Form 990, as cited by ProPublica, its annual revenue is roughly $600,000.
Since the 2023 Lahaina wildfires, KOA has shifted focus to strengthening the mental well-being of West Maui's keiki through “hands-on ocean learning, the Riding the Waves of Life mentorship program, and pathways to internships and scholarships for youth pursuing careers as ocean guardians,” according to the organization.
In 2024, Hawai’i Community Foundation granted KOA $245,000 from its Maui Strong Fund to expand daily operations, weekday after-school programming and monthly events, ensuring “that the organization can serve the West Maui fire-affected community.”
“Here at Kahākūkahi, we know that sometimes all it takes to change the world is a little support,” KOA's website reads. “Since our founding in 2000, we have been determined to make an impact. The core of our efforts is to bring our team’s fresh ideas and passion to the range of activities we’re involved in. Through all our endeavors, we hope to display the conviction behind our beliefs.”
Its name, which means “first rising breath” is inspired by the koholā, when mother humpback whales lift their calves above the surface of the water after giving birth. Similarly, KOA aims to uplift and support Maui’s keiki. Diving deeper into the meaning of its acronym, Ko‘a is the Hawaiian word for coral, while Koa means strong, brave and fearless; characteristics it hopes to build in the next generation, Parley Hawai‘i notes.
Schweitzer was recently a guest on the Keep it Aloha Podcast by Kamaka Dias. Click here to learn more about the organization’s ongoing work to reconnect youth with the ʻāina and create a healing space for growth.
Through the end of the month, diners at participating Hana Hou Hospitality Group restaurants — including Māla Ocean Tavern, Coco Deck Lahaina, Pizza Paradiso and Pineapple Robot — can also round up their check to the nearest dollar to support KOA, as previously reported by Aloha State Daily.
Those interested in supporting KOA's post-storm rebuilding efforts directly can make a tax-deductible donation at kahakukahi.org/donate. Follow the nonprofit on Instagram for more updates.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
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