Pū‘ā Foundation celebrates 30th anniversary

The Pū‘ā Foundation celebrated its 30^th anniversary with a benefit dinner on Tuesday, January 6, at the Aulani Disney Resort. In addition to the anniversary celebration, Rev. Kealahou Alika and Conference Council Chair Roberta Jahrling were honored for their 30 years of faithful service and dedication to the Pū‘ā Foundation. Kealahou and Roberta are founding members of the Pū‘ā Foundation, along with Aunty Aletha Kaohi (Hanapepe Hawaiian), Mark Patterson (Kaumakapili Church), Puanani Burgess, and Kunani Nihipali.

The Pū‘ā Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit created in 1996, driving ‘Trauma to Transformation’ programs for justice-involved women, girls & their families, especially, Hawaiians. It was created out of the apology, redress and reconciliation initiative of the United Church of Christ for its complicity in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Government. Their mission is to actively engage, facilitate and serve communities and their efforts to build a resilient society and improve upon their quality of life through healing and reconciliation efforts that address consequences of the 1893 overthrow.