2026 Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu Event Sponsorship

One of the ways that kaiāulu are strengthened is through gatherings that build common experiences and bonds of its people to ʻāina, to one another, and to valued practices that build the welo (traits reflective of an ʻohana or hui) of a kaiāulu.

If you are interested in organizing a public community event, KS Kaiāulu would like to invite you to submit a simple application for sponsorship support. The goal of these sponsorships is to kākoʻo KS Kaiāulu partners to engage ʻohana and individuals in:

• Learning opportunities rich in Hawaiian culture, ʻōlelo, and ʻāina experiences and enhance education opportunities.
• Activities that build connections to each other, ʻāina, ʻohana, and kaiāulu.
• Opportunities to mālama places in the kaiāulu (e.g., a beach clean up, invasive species removal from wao nahele settings, mālama of wahi kupuna, or mālama of a community space).
• Interactions with honored members of the kaiāulu (e.g.,  loea in a cultural practice or kupa of an area who can share about moʻolelo or practices).
• Any combination of the above.

Items that can be supported by a sponsorship

• Honoraria for guest or staff presenters, demonstrators, or helpers (if staff members are engaging in the effort outside of their workdays).
• Neighbor island airfare and ground transportation for one day for key people needed for the instructional/learning aspects of the events.
• Supplies for activities.
• Rental equipment (tables, chairs, tent, sound system).
• Modest food for participants.
• On-island ground transportation.
• Printing of signage and publicity materials.
• Other items that are necessary for the event.

Restricted use of funds (KS funds cannot be used to support the following)

• Repay debt
• To employ, reimburse, or pay a government official
• Capital improvement, facilities repair, or renovation
• Purchases that result in private benefit
• Purchase of vehicles and/or large equipment

Timing

• Applications accepted:  January 21 - February 13, 2026
• The application will close on February 13, 2026, 4:00pm HST.
• The event(s) would need to be held between March 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026

Requirements

• We would proudly sponsor activities that are awarded funding. In that instance, organizations are asked to include one of the KS Kaiāulu logos on event signage and publicity materials.
• Sponsored events will be included on the KS Kaiāulu Events Calendar at https://kaiaulu.ksbe.edu/calendar 
• Organizations will be asked to complete an 'End of Event' report which will include attendee participant count, summary of the event and how it supported intended outcomes.  
• Participants and attendees will have the opportunity to complete a survey about their experience at the event.
• Please take the steps needed to collect information that you will need to complete the 'End of Event' report after your event.

Supports

• KS Kaiāulu will help to publicize awarded events in social media and on the KS Kaiāulu website calendar. 
• KS Kaiāulu will be able to support successful applicants up to the amount of $8,000, depending on the size and complexity of the event. 

Application Considerations and Guidelines

• Event must be open to the public to attend.
• Event must be held in the state of Hawaiʻi.
• Greater consideration will be given to public events that foster community engagement.
• Greater consideration will be given to applications that include other funding sources or other in-kind sources of support for the event (including in-kind support from the organization proposing the event).
• Greater consideration will be given to events that are free to attend.
• The higher the quality and intensity of the learning experiences of a proposed event, the better. 
• Applicants are dissuaded from proposing events that involve participants only passively listening to someone or watching something. 
• Neighbor island travel for participants is not supported by this opportunity.
• Events cannot be used for the purpose of supporting a political candidate, even indirectly.
• Event should not be a fundraiser.
• Applications for a "program" will not be considered.
• Organizations may submit up to two (2) requests.  If more than two requests are submitted, only the first two received will be considered.
• Events that receive or have received funding through another KS funding opportunity are not eligible for funding under the 2026 Kaiāulu Event Sponsorship.
• Applications and supporting documents (budget, W9, and 990 if applicable) must be complete upon submission.  Applications submitted with incomplete documents will not be considered.

 

 

Please upload an itemized budget for your event using the budget template provided at the link below.  Note: you will need to download the sheet before you are able to edit the document with your budget information.

 2026 Kaiāulu Event Sponsorship Budget Template

 Please note that your budget should include the following - your budget will be considered 'incomplete' if it does not include this information:

• A breakdown of what the KS funds will support (6 hours of sound system x $200 per hour, lunch for attendees = $1,000, etc)
• An overview of other funds and/or in-kind support of this event (if applicable)

Please note that if you "Save" this form, you will need to complete and submit your form before the deadline.

Before you submit your request form, please ensure the following:

• You have reviewed the following informational details in these sections and your request aligns with the following:
  • Application Considerations and Guidelines 
  • Restricted Use of Funds
  • Requirements
  • Items that can be supported by a sponsorship
• Your uploaded documents are complete
  • The uploaded budget document includes all information requested.
  • The W9 tax form is complete, including date and signature.
  • The 990 tax form is complete (if applicable).

**Please note that request forms that are submitted with incomplete attachments will not be considered.