Holomua Marine Initiative
Holomua Marine Initiative supports Hawai‘i communities and partners with funding for marine planning, monitoring, stewardship, and restoration to sustain healthy nearshore waters and local livelihoods.
Funder: Hawai'i Community Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (Pāpio Grants 2026) | Closed (Strengthening Community Advocacy 2026)
Funding Amounts: Pāpio: up to $10,000 for up to 12 months; recent Laulima opportunity: up to $50,000 or $150,000 for 12–24 months
Summary: Supports community-led stewardship, science, monitoring, and restoration to restore abundance in Hawai‘i’s nearshore waters.
Key Information: Eligibility and application requirements are specific to each funding track.
Description
The Holomua Marine Initiative supports effective management of Hawai‘i’s nearshore waters through broad public participation and scientific and cultural guidance. Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) administers a pooled philanthropic fund that augments state capacity and supports communities and partners designing, monitoring, and stewarding marine managed areas. The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) leads locally guided marine planning around each main Hawaiian island.
Funding supports place-based planning, responsible fishing and other pono practices, monitoring, and ecosystem protection and restoration. Priorities include reviving traditional stewardship, strengthening community advocacy and co-management, integrating science with traditional knowledge, building public support, advancing long-term public funding, and improving coordinated governance. The goal is healthy marine ecosystems that sustain coastal enjoyment, local livelihoods, and food for families across generations.
