Kanu Hawaiʻi issues urgent call for volunteers as funding cuts put strain on nonprofits
With April being Volunteer Month in Hawai‘i and nationally, Kanu Hawaiʻi is sounding the alarm on what it is calling “a worsening crisis” within the State of Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector. Recent data indicates that additional federal funding cutbacks are placing an unprecedented strain on nonprofits and community organizations that provide the backbone of support for Hawaiʻi’s social, environmental, and educational safety nets, according to Kanu.
“Unfortunately, we continue to see a challenging trend where federal funding that Hawai‘i nonprofits have long relied on is becoming increasingly uncertain,” said Keone Kealoha, executive director of Kanu Hawaiʻi. “Roughly one in three nonprofits in Hawaiʻi depend on federal support for more than 20% of their operational revenue. As those funds continue to disappear, the work doesn’t stop and that puts a strain on those who rely on that support. Volunteering is a way for the community to step in when the funding has stepped out.”
Kealoha noted that the detrimental impact of the federal funding cuts is spreading throughout the community. “More than 60% of Hawaiʻi nonprofits are reporting they cannot keep up with the community’s growing demand for services. The sweat equity needed from local volunteers has transitioned from a helpful addition to an absolute necessity for survival.”
Kealoha added that the need for volunteer support is diverse and deep within the community, noting, for example, that organizations supporting housing for survivors of domestic violence have faced the loss of federal programs, while environmental groups are bracing for gaps in climate science and restoration funding.
Exacerbating the situation for Hawaiʻi’s nonprofits is the widespread devastation in communities caused recently by the severe rainfall and flooding from the kona low storm, and the resulting increase in demands from families and residents in need of support for their recovery.
In response to the kona low storm, Kanu Hawaiʻi launched a dedicated kona low storm response page at www.kanuhawaii.org/kona-low-response, developed in part by support from the City and County of Honolulu. Updated daily, the page serves as a centralized hub connecting residents with a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities, along with donation links and recovery resources from dozens of organizations statewide.
“When disaster hits, people want to help but don’t always know where to start,” said Kealoha. “This page brings it all together in one place so that energy goes where it’s needed most.”
A 2025 analysis by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation revealed that $126 million in federal grants – supporting 59 local nonprofits – are “politically vulnerable.” These cuts directly impact essential services ranging from healthcare and affordable housing to environmental restoration and youth mentorship programs.
How to Get Involved for Volunteer Month in April
Kanu Hawaiʻi is urging businesses, community groups, and individuals statewide to take proactive steps now to prepare for Volunteer Month in April:
- Post Your Event: Nonprofits and community organizers are encouraged to list their April volunteer opportunities on Kanu Hawaiʻi’s statewide dashboard at www.kanuhawaii.org.
- Find an Opportunity: Individuals and corporate teams can browse hundreds of local service projects – from beach cleanups food bank support – and sign up directly online.
- Become an Impact Partner: Businesses looking to engage their employees can join Kanu Hawaiʻi’s Impact Partner Program to track their collective hours and receive recognition for their community contributions.
Kealoha said, “Volunteering is often seen as a one-way gift, but in Hawai‘i, it’s more than that – it’s an exchange. An act of aloha. When you show up to serve a meal for kupuna, clean up your local park where ‘ohana relax, or help repair housing for those in need, you aren’t just filling a gap left by a budget cut, you are strengthening the connections that keep our islands strong.”
For more information, to register a volunteer event, or to sign up for service, visit www.kanuhawaii.org.
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