HILO, Hawaiʻi – The County of Hawaiʻi, Department of Finance, is actively seeking applications for stewardship grants. These grants-in-aid are specifically designated for public safety, maintenance, and preservation of lands acquired with monies from the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund (FUND), as stipulated in the Hawaiʻi County Charter, Article 10, Section 10-16 (h).
Eligibility and Application Requirements:
Only 501(c)3 non-profit organizations or organizations operating under the umbrella of a 501(c)3 non-profit are eligible to apply for these stewardship grants. In addition to the grant application, applicants must submit a detailed business plan for their proposed project. A signed agreement to file written reports within one year of receiving funds, detailing accomplishments and expenditure, is also required.
Covered Properties:
The County is currently accepting requests for stewardship grants for the following properties across various districts:
Puna:
Pohoiki (TMK 1-3-08:97)
Waiʻele (TMK 1-4-03:03, 37)Hamakua:
Waipiʻo Lookout (TMK 4-8-04:06)Kohala:
Kapanaiʻa Bay (TMK 5-2-07:04)
Kapalama Heiau (N.) (TMK 5-2-07:27)
Halelua (TMK 5-3-07:10)
Hale O Kaʻili (TMK 5-3-07:22)
Hapuʻu (TMK 5-3-07:23)
Kapalama Heiau (S.) (TMK 5-3-07:26)
Banyan Tree (Hawi) (TMK 5-5-15:42)
Paoʻo (TMK 5-7-01:05)
Mahukona (TMK 5-7-02:11, 27, 36, 37; 5-7-03:01, 02, 03, 07, 08, 10, 18)
Kaiholena North (TMK 5-8-01:11, 19, 20, 24)
Kaiholena South (TMK 5-8-01:21, 22, 25)North Kona:
ʻOʻoma (TMK 7-3-09:04)
Puapuaʻa (TMK 7-5-20:22, 24, 28, 34)
Kipapa Park (TMK 7-7-08:20, 31)
White Sands Mauka (TMK 7-7-08:21, 23)
Keauhou Bay (TMK 7-8-12:35, 106)South Kona:
Friends of Amy B.H. Ethnobotanical Gardens CE (TMK 8-2-13:02, 03, 14; 8-2-14:43; 8-2-15:59)Kaʻu:
Kahuku Coastal (TMK 9-2-01:75)
Kiolakaʻa CE (TMK 9-4-01:08, 09, 16, 17, 23)
Kaunamano CE (TMK 9-5-11:01, 04, 05, 06; 9-5-12:01)
Waikapuna CE (TMK 9-5-07:16)
Kahua Olohu (TMK 9-5-12:05)
Kawa/Kawaʻa Bay (TMK 9-5-16:06, 25; 9-5-17:05, 07)Application Submission:
Applications and detailed property information are available online at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov or at the Property Management Division’s office, located in the County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1101, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720.
Applicants must adhere to all provisions of Hawaiʻi County Charter Article 10, Section 10-16, as well as all applicable County, State, and Federal laws. Grant awards are for a one-year period.
The deadline to submit completed applications is 4:30 p.m. (County of Hawaiʻi time clock, Hawaiʻi Standard Time) on Friday, August 15, 2025, or postmarked by that date if sent by mail.
For any questions, please contact the Property Management Division at PONC@hawaiicounty.gov.