Konawaena High School Foundation 2000 Inc

The Konawaena High School Foundation 2000 Inc is a nonprofit organization established in the fall of 2000. It is organized as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means that donations are tax-deductible. The foundation is dedicated to supporting higher education at Konawaena High School, located in Kealakekua, Hawaii.

Mission

The foundation's mission is to foster an environment conducive to higher education at Konawaena High School by enhancing and expanding existing programs. This is achieved through donations from alumni, classes, and community partners. The organization welcomes participation from alumni, parents, businesses, and the broader community to help achieve its goals.

Scholarships and Programs

In 2006, the foundation expanded its charter to include providing scholarships to students pursuing further education at college and university levels. Available scholarships include:

• Col. Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial Scholarship
• Sandra E. Taosaka Teacher Scholarship
• Konawaena Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship
• Konawaena Foundation English Scholarship
• Vinny Chang Memorial Scholarship
• Caron Ikeda Memorial Scholarship

Additionally, the foundation offers tuition assistance scholarships for Konawaena High School graduates attending the University of Hawaii at Palamanui (Kona) through the University of Hawaii Foundation.

Governance and Practices

All funding requests are carefully reviewed and voted on by the Board of Directors to ensure the most effective use of resources. There is a mandatory follow-up for program compliance to ensure that funds are utilized as intended.

The foundation is led by a principal officer and operates with a focus on supporting quality education for all students at Konawaena High School. Despite its active role in supporting educational initiatives, the foundation reported no grant distributions in recent years.

History and Context

Konawaena High School, associated with the foundation, celebrated its centennial in 2021. The school's origins trace back to an elementary school established in the late 1800s, which grew into a comprehensive educational institution offering various academic and vocational programs. Today, the high school is part of a larger campus that includes an elementary school, though they were formally separated in 1963.

The foundation's work is integral to enhancing educational opportunities for students at Konawaena High School, aligning with the broader mission of supporting community education initiatives.