What Pacific American Foundation does

Pacific American Foundation (PAF) is a 501(c)(3) publicly supported nonprofit founded in 1995 and headquartered in Kailua, Hawai'i, that delivers culturally grounded educational programs, professional development, and youth services for Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian communities. The organization's strategic center is Waikalua Loko I'a, an 11-acre, approximately 400-year-old ancient Hawaiian fishpond in Kāne'ohe that PAF acquired in 2013 using HUD funds — the first ancient Hawaiian fishpond to return to Hawaiian hands since the Great Māhele of 1848. The fishpond operates as an outdoor classroom, marine-science laboratory, and cultural-preservation site anchoring school field trips (Huaka'i), community work days (Lā ʻOhana), the annual Moonlight Concert Series, and Kilo Kai and NALU Studies youth programs.

PAF's programmatic surface spans multiple layers: a K-12 curriculum library (Kāhea Loko and Aloha ʻĀina, award-winning place-based curricula; Hoʻokele ʻĀina multi-year teacher development), after-school and youth leadership offerings (PAF After School Malama, Imi Wai Ola Student Science Conference, the Windward Youth Leadership Fund offering up to $5,000 grants), a fiscal-sponsorship platform serving mission-aligned initiatives, and an oral history archive documenting cultural practitioners and fishpond restoration. Selected counter-customers named in the record include Hawaii Baptist Academy, Castle High School, the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa STEMS2 program, the Hawaii Department of Education, and the Castle Foundation.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: tax-deductible charitable donations (individuals, corporations, foundations), fee-based professional development services to Hawaii schools (Hoʻokele ʻĀina, literacy and math solutions, English Learner and SEL frameworks, quoted per engagement), fiscal-sponsorship administrative fees from sponsored projects, and unit-priced ticketing for field trips ($10-$12/person) and the Moonlight Concert Series ($45 advance / $50 door). Distribution is regional (Windward O'ahu and statewide Hawaii) and runs through direct community engagement, school partnerships, federal grant channels, and storytelling content (The Next 200). Federal funding partners have included the U.S. Department of Education, HUD, NOAA, EPA, HIMB, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. PAF's leadership transitioned in 2025 with Kapono Ciotti succeeding founder Herb Lee Jr. (now CEO Emeritus) as CEO.

Name

Pacific American Foundation

Legal name

Pacific American Foundation

Website

https://thepaf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pacific American Foundation (PAF) is a Hawaii-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers culturally grounded education, youth leadership, and professional development to Pacific Islander communities, anchored by stewardship of Waikalua Loko I'a, an 11-acre ancient Hawaiian fishpond in Kāne'ohe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural and Place-Based Education Services

NAICS

Aquaculture (11251), Animal Production and Aquaculture (112)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aquaculture Farm Services & Operations Support (net cleaning, diving, grading, harvesting) (AFAEAAAM), Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Aquaculture & Fisheries Operations (EDAOAOAK)

Keywords

• Culture-based education
• Youth development services
• Place-based learning
• Professional development
• Environmental stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Kaneohe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: PAF is a 501(c)(3) publicly supported nonprofit that receives donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization states that 100% of public donations go directly to fund programs and services. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
2. Professional Development Services: PAF provides fee-based professional development services to schools, including Ho'okele 'Aina (aina-based education programs), literacy training, math solutions, school improvement support, English Learner programs, and SEL frameworks. Services are customized and quote-based.
3. Fiscal Sponsorship Program: PAF provides fiscal sponsorship infrastructure to mission-aligned initiatives, handling financial administration, grant processing, compliance, and reporting. Approved projects pay for administrative services while gaining access to PAF's tax-exempt status and operational support.
4. Event Revenue (Moonlight Concert): PAF hosts the annual Moonlight Concert Series at Waikalua Loko I'a, with ticket sales ($45 online, $50 at door) supporting stewardship and educational programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pacific American Foundation (PAF) operates a portfolio of culture-based educational programs, youth development services, and community stewardship programs anchored by the Waikalua Loko I'a, an 11-acre, 400-year-old Hawaiian fishpond in Kaneohe, Oahu. It delivers professional development for Hawaii schools, school field trips, after-school and marine science programs, youth leadership grants, fiscal sponsorship for mission-aligned initiatives, and community events such as the Moonlight Concert Series and La Ohana workdays. The organization sells and delivers curricula (Kāhea Loko, Aloha ʻĀina, Ho'okele ʻĀina) and an oral history digital archive documenting fishpond restoration.

Product overview

Pacific American Foundation (PAF) operates as a platform of interconnected educational and cultural programs rather than a unified software product. The core offering is the Waikalua Loko I'a ancient Hawaiian fishpond, which serves as an outdoor classroom and laboratory. Around this centerpiece, PAF offers youth development programs (After School Malama, NALU Studies, Kilo Kai, Imi Wai Ola), community engagement (Lā ʻOhana Work Days, School Field Trips, Moonlight Concert Series), education services (professional development in literacy, math, school transformation, SEL), fiscal sponsorship for aligned initiatives, and digital resources including the Oral History Archive. The Kāhea Loko and Aloha ʻĀina curricula serve as foundational educational frameworks. The Windward Youth Leadership Fund provides youth-led grant funding. No commercial SaaS platform, API, or technology product is offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Waikalua Loko I'a: The ancient Hawaiian fishpond that serves as PAF's primary site for education, stewardship, and community programs.
• Windward Youth Leadership Fund (WYLF)
• Kāhea Loko
• Aloha 'Āina
• Ho'okele 'Āina
• The Next 200

Products and services

• PAF After School Malama After-school program for K-12 students focused on malama (caring for) ʻāina, culture, and community through hands-on learning experiences.
• NALU Studies Cultural education program for youth exploring Hawaiian traditions and practices.
• Kilo Kai Marine science program engaging students in ocean observation and environmental stewardship.
• Imi Wai Ola Student Science Conference Student science conference program focused on water quality monitoring and environmental research.
• Community Schools School-based educational initiatives integrating culture-based learning into curriculum.
• Windward Youth Leadership Fund (WYLF) Youth-led service project funding program offering grants up to $5,000 for groups of at least three youth (aged 18 and under) taking action on community issues. Partnership between PAF and Castle Foundation.
• Lā ʻOhana Work Days Community volunteer workdays at the Waikalua Loko I'a fishpond involving mangrove removal, trimming, debris cleanup, and restoration activities; scheduled multiple times per year.
• School Field Trips (Huaka'i) at Waikalua Loko I'a Guided educational field trips to Waikalua Loko I'a for K-12 student groups, including docent-led programs priced at $10-$12 per person based on the Aloha ʻĀina curriculum (chemi-toilet rental of $300 additional for groups of 50+).
• Moonlight Concert Series Annual benefit concert at Waikalua Loko I'a featuring Hawaiian music and hula, supporting PAF stewardship and educational programs; tickets $45 online in advance and $50 at the door.
• Fiscal Sponsorship Program Program allowing mission-aligned initiatives to operate under PAF's 501(c)(3) legal and tax-exempt status, providing financial administration, grant processing, compliance, and reporting for an administrative fee.
• Education Services / Professional Development Quote-based professional development services for Hawaii DOE schools and complexes, including Ho'okele ʻĀina (ʻāina education development), Structured Literacy PD, Systemic Math Solutions, School Transformation, English Learner Success, and Uhau Humu Pilina SEL framework.
• Kāhea Loko Curriculum Culture-based curriculum using the Waikalua Loko I'a fishpond to teach math, science, social studies, and language arts, with demonstrated statewide teacher training and student reach via HIDOE partnership.
• Aloha ʻĀina Curriculum Ahupua'a-based curriculum focusing on the Kāne'ohe mountain-to-sea ecosystem, training teachers in culturally sustaining educational practices.
• Waikalua Loko Fishpond Oral History Archive Digital archive containing video, audio recordings, and transcripts of oral history interviews with cultural practitioners, scientists, teachers, and docents documenting the fishpond's history and restoration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150,000 students impacted and 7,000 teachers trained in first 30 years of operation.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NOAAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014PAF became a Hub partner with NOAA as part of network including EPA, HIMB, UH Windward, and Smithsonian Institution for environmental and marine science collaboration.
• EPAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Hub partner alongside NOAA, HIMB, UH Windward, and Smithsonian for environmental collaboration and marine science initiatives.
• Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Hub partner in network with NOAA, EPA, UH Windward, and Smithsonian for environmental and marine science collaboration and student research programs.
• Smithsonian InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Hub partner in network with NOAA, EPA, HIMB, and UH Windward for environmental collaboration and cultural preservation initiatives.
• Castle FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between PAF and Castle Foundation to support the Windward Youth Leadership Fund (WYLF), which provides grants up to $5,000 to youth-led service projects in Windward Oahu communities. The Foundation co-funds grants and provides program support for youth empowerment initiatives.
• Windward Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership in curriculum development, oral history archive creation, student internships, and educational programs. WCC faculty participated in fishpond restoration efforts and contributed to the Kahea Loko and Aloha Aina curricula development.
• Olelo Community MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership producing oral history video content including 6 'Talk Story' episodes for the Waikalua Fishpond Oral History Archive. Also produced award-winning 'Silver Linings' documentary about PAF's COVID-19 experiences.
• Cultural Surveys HawaiicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in oral history archive project, providing cultural researchers and interviewers for documenting stories of kuppuna, cultural practitioners, scientists, and docents connected to Waikalua Loko I'a.
• University of Hawaii Sea Grant ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership in curriculum development and fishpond research. UH Sea Grant was part of the initial Khea Loko grant partnership alongside PAF, HIDOE, and other partners.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: National nonprofit focused on preserving historic and culturally significant places, including Indigenous and culturally significant sites. Comparable to PAF in the cultural preservation and historic site stewardship dimensions of Waikalua Loko I'a, but operates nationally with a much broader scope.
• Polynesian Cultural Center: A cultural education attraction on Oʻahu's North Shore delivering interactive place-based Hawaiian and broader Polynesian cultural programs to students and visitors. Comparable to PAF in cultural education programming for youth and visitors, though operates at much larger, commercial scale.
• Kamehameha Schools: The largest Native Hawaiian-focused private education organization, operating K-12 schools and extensive cultural/community programs statewide. Comparable to PAF as a Hawaiian education and cultural preservation nonprofit serving similar K-12 populations, though far larger in scale and scope.
• The Nature Conservancy Hawaii: A major conservation nonprofit with active Hawaii programs in marine and coastal ecosystem protection, including ahupuaʻa-scale work. Comparable to PAF in stewarding Hawaiian natural and cultural resources, but operates across the state and Pacific at much larger scale.
• Office of Hawaiian Affairs: A state-level Hawaiian public-benefit corporation funding Native Hawaiian education, culture, and land stewardship initiatives statewide. Comparable to PAF in mission focus on Hawaiian cultural preservation and education, but operates as a quasi-governmental entity with vastly larger resources.

Direct peers

• Bishop Museum: Hawaii's largest museum of Hawaiian and Polynesian cultural and natural history, operating exhibits, educational programs, and collections in Honolulu. Comparable to PAF in mission-driven Hawaiian cultural preservation and place-based education, though structured as a museum rather than a fishpond-stewardship nonprofit.

Emerging players

• Maui Ocean Center: A Hawaii-based marine science education facility and aquarium that delivers place-based ocean learning and school programs. Comparable to PAF's Kilo Kai and marine stewardship work in targeting Hawaii students with hands-on marine education, though commercial-aquarium in nature.
• EdVenture Inc. A Hawaii-based nonprofit providing experiential, place-based learning programs for youth, including environmental and cultural education. Comparable to PAF in delivering hands-on, culture- and environment-grounded youth programs in Hawaii schools.
• Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili: A Hawaiian nonprofit operating culture-based, place-based education and stewardship programs across Koʻolau ahupuaʻa on Oʻahu. Comparable to PAF in combining Native Hawaiian cultural practice, ahupuaʻa-based education, and youth/community engagement on Oʻahu.

Others

• Conservation International Hawaii: Global conservation nonprofit with active Hawaii and Pacific programs in marine and climate resilience, often partnering with Indigenous-led organizations. Comparable to PAF's NOAA/EPA-style environmental stewardship work and Indigenous-led conservation positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacific-american-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pacific American Foundation