Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 11, 1 November 2010 — OHA grant crucial for KOKA growth [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA grant crucial for KOKA growth

Before the Extreme Makeover Home Edition TV show and large government grants eame pouring in, Keiki O Ka 'Āina Family Learning Centers was a dream that Momi Akana says was made into a reality largely thanks to OHA's belief in the budding program. "Back when KOKA was just me and a few volunteers, we went to OHA to ask for help with our very first parentparticipation preschool," says Akana, founder and Executive Director. "They were so kind to really see what we were doing was needed in the community. They took a ehanee on us and gave us a grant for about $21,000 that opened the doors for us." KOKA celebrates 14 years since it opened its doors to 30 keiki and their parents. Today the organization serves more than 2,000 children eaeh year. "The OHA money was the seed money," adds Akana. "We have been able to serve over 20,000 children and parents in our programs, whieh are 90 percent Native Hawaiians. And our centers are in Native Hawaiian communities." OHA has continued its support and in 2008 provided a Community-Based Eeonomie Development grant of $30,000 to fund a LEED-certified commercial kitchen and an eco-tourism business plan. Keiki O Ka 'Āina's missions is to build strong eommunities by building strong families within the context of Hawaiian language, traditions and culture. Its programs include education for family with young children, family strengthening and marriage support. For more about Keiki O Ka 'Āina, visit www.keikiokaaina.org. — Melissa Moniz ■

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