Hoʻoulu Lāhui receives $500,000 from OHA to support education

November 2, 2026 - 03:53

A Native Hawaiian education organization has been awarded $500,000 to help complete its recovery from a devastating natural disaster. The funding comes from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and supports the final stages of the group's rebuilding after losing its 600 acre site, including the Kua O Ka La Charter School campus at Puala'a, to the 2018 Kilauea eruption.

The organization has spent years working to restore its operations and educational services following the destruction. The lava flow wiped out the physical campus and forced the school to relocate and adapt its programs. Since then, leaders have focused on rebuilding infrastructure and maintaining access to culturally grounded education for students.

This latest grant is intended to close the remaining gaps in the recovery process. It will help cover costs tied to site restoration and program stability as the organization moves toward full operation again.

The 2018 eruption displaced thousands of residents and destroyed hundreds of homes across the lower Puna district. For the school community, the loss of the campus meant scrambling to find temporary learning spaces and keeping students connected to their curriculum and culture.

Officials with the organization say the support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is a critical step in finishing the work that began after the disaster. The goal is to provide a permanent, stable learning environment that reflects the community's needs and values.

The funding marks one of the final pieces needed to complete the long recovery effort and return the school to a secure footing.