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 to Alaka`ina 501(c)3, 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 501(c)3. Alaka`ina Foundation activities under the 501(c)3 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.