Heart of the FOCs
The heart of the FOCs is our Charity, Alaka`ina 501(c)3
What makes NHOs most unique is their mission to serve their communities.
As a NHO, we are more than a family of companies. By dispersing our profits, we engage in activities to benefit the Native Hawaiian community. The heart of the FOCs lies in furthering the awareness and mission of Alaka`ina. Alaka`ina Foundation activities under the principally benefit the youth of Hawai`i through charitable efforts.
Alaka`ina 501(c)3
The goal of Alaka`ina 501(c)3 is to ensure that the young men and women of Hawai`i have the skills and competencies they need to be effective leaders. Alaka`ina is making this a reality by developing innovative educational programs that combine leadership, science and technology, and environmental stewardship. Our Digital Bus Program (www.digitalbus.org), utilizes a location-based mobile science platform to enhance the education curriculum on Maui and Moloka`i for the last 13 years, reaching over 21,000 students.
Through the FOCs financial support, Alaka`ina 501(c)3 has also provided scholarships and grants to deserving individuals and organizations that promote education and leadership to school children on the islands of O`ahu and Kaua`i, as well as in Atlanta, Georgia; Frederick, Maryland; and Dothan, Alabama.
Shannon "U`ilani"
Lima
Educational Specialist
for
Digital Bus Moloka`i
Digital Bus Program
The Digital Bus is a mobile laboratory designed to stimulate interest in science and technology among public school students. Equipped with the latest technology, the Digital Bus has been used extensively for hands-on education of students from grades K to 12 in both Maui and Moloka`i. Projects range from watershed investigation and restoration to math instruction to ocean and stream monitoring. The program also provides long-term impact via educator professional development opportunities.
Dav Yuan
Educational Coordinator
for
Digital Bus Maui
Our Kuleana (Responsibility)
In Hawaiian society, everyone has a responsibility to use his or her talents for the benefit of the entire `Ohana. We believe that `Ohana embraces not just our immediate family but also our company, our customers, and our communities. In addition to our own corporate community-based programs, the FOCs has been involved with many other non-profit organizations through monetary donations, or through employee involvement such as: Kauai Independent Food Bank; Hawai`i United Way; Hawai`i Food Bank; Operation Give Back; Walk MS Orlando; T-Bone's Teed-Off At Cancer; Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; Second Harvest Food Bank; Brigadier General Wagner Scholarship; Giving the Unexpected Hope to the Homeless; and Toys for Tots.