Aug 7th Kosasa Gathering on O’ahu

HER had the privilege once again of attending the Kosasa Foundation Community-Based Environmental Stewardship (CBES) Grantee Gathering. As in 2024, it was a full day of connection and learning between over 20 Grantee organizations, guests from other funding partners, and the Kosasa Staff, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the UH West Oʻahu Academy of Creative Media.

This was a great opportunity to discuss key questions among informed people from ‘aina-based best practices, to community engagement and trust-building, to diversifying/strengthening funding sources and models. Smaller breakout groups lead to larger ones, and culminated in shared panel discussions between all.

HER took home information on so many possible ways of growing as a small organization through this process. Learning about other non-profit environmental projects and meeting some of their dedicated team members was in itself deeply encouraging. I believe participants returned home feeling understood in their challenges, and valued in their  successes. 

If only all grantors took this approach to supporting members of the environmentally focused community, each and all of our efforts would experience greater effectiveness. One thing we at Hawaii Environmental Restoration appreciate most is a shift in paradigm from competitive to collaborative effort, so finely represented by environmental stewards of land!

Please view last year’s Kosasa video to get an idea of the purpose and nature of these gatherings:

https://www.kosasafoundation.org/2024-cbes-gathering/