MEDIA RELEASE

Paa Pono Milolii Inc. a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to improving the lives of the residents of the native Hawaiian fishing village of Milolii has been selected to receive a $92,000 grant from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Associationʻs Bay Watershed Education and Training program.

The grant’s purpose is to significantly enhance the marine and coastal knowledge base and stewardship action of Milolii’s population of K-12 students.Through preserving and perpetuating the iconic opelu traditional fishing practices that the waters off Milolii are famous for, students will be able to participate in a variety of activities that will blend traditional Hawaiian fishing education with contemporary science and marine management and stewardship practices.

The grant is is for fiscal years 2013 and 2014 and begins Oct. 1.

The grant will be executed by Paa Pono Milolii Inc. whoʻs partners include the Kua O Ka La Public Charter School, Hauoli Ka Manaʻo Congregational Church, Kalanihale Educational non-profit and Hooulu La Hui.

Additional support from outside agencies include Conservation International, Alu Like Hoala Hou, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Honua Consulting and the Queen Liliuokalani Childrenʻs Center.

The grant will be administered by Kaimi Kaupiko and Lei Kaupu native residents of Milolii and graduates of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

To learn more about the Milolii Opelu Project grant award for Paa Pono Milolii, call Kaimi Kaupiko at 808-937-1310 or Lei Kaupu at 808-217-0585.