Join the Movement for Change

Your donation powers our mission. Together, we can create a lasting impact for the Hawaiian community.

What we do

Our mission is to strengthen the resilience and well-being of Native Hawaiians for generations through the global platform of football.

By leveraging the power of the sport, we create pathways to higher education, economic empowerment, and foster the mental and emotional well-being of Native Hawaiian players.

Why give?

Invest in a future where every Native Hawaiian thrives.

Each year, an estimated 2,000 - 2,400 Native Hawaiian public school students will not complete high school. Of those who do graduate only half will continue to higher education.

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More than 40% of Native Hawaiian students in Hawaiʻi’s public schools are considered “economically disadvantaged,” and come from low-income households. Additionally, 15-20% of Native Hawaiian households are living below the United States’ federal poverty line.

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Around 30-40% of Native Hawaiian adolescents report feeling “sad or hopeless,” with 16% considering suicide and 11% attempting it—the highest of all ethnic groups in Hawaiʻi.

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Your support empowers us to shape a brighter future for Native Hawaiian youth by:

Fostering Academic Excellence and Supporting Pathways to Higher Education

In 2023, all 126 players on our National Teams identified as Native Hawaiian. Among our U-18 Kāne, 100% graduated from high school, with 89% committing to college or university. Similarly, among our U-18 Wāhine, 100% graduated from high school, and 94% have committed to furthering their education at the collegiate level.

Providing Pathways to Professional Football & Economic Empowerment

In 2023, over 95% of our National Team players committed to attending college in 2024, greatly increasing their chances of earning a degree and securing meaningful employment. Additionally, two players have embarked on professional football careers in Europe.

Enhancing the Overall Mental and Emotional Well-Being of Hawaiian Youth. 

In 2023, our Ana Pikoʻu cultural education program delivered a 12-part curriculum on Hawaiian culture and history to 126 Native Hawaiian youth. Post-program surveys revealed a 100% overall increase in participants' sense of identity and belonging and cultural competency.

Testimonials

“We partner with Hawaiian Football to support its mission of combining sport, competition, cultural exchange, and education to positively impact players and the community.”

— Mark Taira, CEO, King’s Hawaiian

“Working alongside and with Kanaka Pōwāwae will only enhance the pride of the organizations as Polynesians and ancestors in our service to the people. Tihei Mauri Ora!”

— Phillip Pickering - Parker, Kaitiaki, Māori Football Aotearoa

“Honestly, my team and I got so much more out of this experience than any one of us expected. Although we were just a small part of Hawaiian Football’s stay, the bonds that we built over that short period of time will last forever.”

— Reid Kusano, Manager Sodexo Services, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Make a donation

Your contribution will have a profound impact on our players and their families, fostering positive change and building lasting goodwill within the Hawai‘i and international football communities.

 FAQs

  • 100% of your donation will go towards supporting our mission to provide pathways to higher education, economic empowerment, and enhancing the mental and emotional well-being of Native Hawaiians.

  • Hui Kanaka Pōwawae is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law, subject to any applicable limitations for individual taxpayers.

  • We offer an innovative approach that combines Hawaiian-based education with international football, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Hawai‘i. Through our National Teams, we provide a platform for Hawaiians to express and share their national culture, character, and identity on the global football stage—a new seat of Hawaiian identity and well-being—while transforming the local soccer space into Hawaiian Football, fostering a strong sense of national representation, unity, and pride.

  • Financial decisions are made by our Executive Board. Led by Hawaiian leaders and changemakers with extensive expertise in professional football, Hawaiian language, culture, history, and politics, collectively offering a profound understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the Hawaiian community.