You are invited to a Red Carpet Event in Kona!

Please join us at the Kona Elks Lodge on October 17th for a special screening of “Keeper of the Bay”.

Board member Aunty Cindi Punihaole’s story has touched audiences worldwide, earning “Keeper of the Bay” an Emmy Award nomination by the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences for its powerful portrayal of her life’s work protecting Kahaluʻu Bay. This celebrated film is coming home to Kona for a special red-carpet screening on October 17, 2025—an evening designed not only to honor Cindi’s legacy but also to acknowledge the many that have contributed to this film and to ignite the next wave of keiki ocean stewards. 

Additional event details, as well as ticket and sponsorship information are available on our website.

Interested in attending?

The third annual Race for the Reef raised $2,300 to purchase mineral sunscreen and support the amazing work of the ReefTeach Program. We are excited to continue fundraising in the future to help protect Kahalu‘u Bay!

2025 Race: On February 15th, we hosted our annual 5K race with over 75 participants! This fundraiser supported the purchase of reef-safe mineral sunscreen for the dispensers at Kahalu‘u Bay Beach Park. Over 400,000 visitors come to Kahalu‘u Bay each year. Chemical sunscreens pollute the bay and are a significant stressor for corals and marine life.

ReefTeach: The Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center, led by board member Cindi Punihaole, supports the ReefTeach Program at Kahalu‘u Bay. Trained ReefTeach volunteers educate visitors and residents about the fish, corals, and other invertebrates found in the bay. Outreach also focuses on the devastating impacts to coral reef ecosystems from chemical sunscreens and encourages swimmers and snorkelers to use mineral sunscreens instead. Providing free and accessible mineral sunscreen for visitors has been a hugely successful way to reduce environmental stress on the reef.

Check Presented: On July 12th, the 365 Hawai‘i Island Community Funded presented a $2,300 check to the ReefTeach program from the proceeds raised in this year’s race. Mahalo to all who participated in this event! Stay tuned for our 2026 spring fundraising race.

Interested in joining ReefTeach?

Painting Project at Old Airport: On Earth Day we organized a group of amazing 365 Hawai‘i Island Community Fund volunteers to help paint all the tables in all 4 of the pavilions at Old Airport Beach Park. We had such energetic volunteers that we finished all the work in less than 2 hours!

Ongoing Support: We had a chance to talk story with Ron who is the Parks Supervisor of Old Airport regarding future projects, and we plan on doing quarterly work parties to help improve the park. Let us know if you’d like to help!

Expensive parking in downtown Kona is a significant issue currently affecting our community. The 365 Hawai‘i Island Community Fund is supporting an initiative to connect stakeholders, community members, and government officials to seek solutions. If you are interested in contributing to conversations about the parking situation and offer your ideas, we encourage you to join the Facebook Group “Fix Paid Parking in Kona”.

Since November of last year, we been heavily involved in advocating for fair parking solutions in downtown Kona. We have hosted several community meetings to seek public input and have been sharing ideas with county government officials. Our board chair, Bruce Prunk, drafted an ordinance for consideration by the county. It is now a bill being reviewed by the County legal team. We remain committed to helping solve this problem!

Want to help?

Join the 365 Hawai‘i Island Community Fund ‘ohana as a Sustaining Member with an annual donation of $250 or make a one-time donation of any amount.