About Us

Kōkua Project is a nonprofit public charity recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3) EIN 85-2588202.

Kōkua Project supports underserved communities with a focus on at-risk youth and youth from unstable housing- primarily working with our HIDOE Partners. We offer free martial arts classes @ Masters Martial Arts and martial arts sponsorships for youths ages 6-17 who are experiencing unstable housing. We also partner with our local HIDOE Community Homeless Concerns Liaisons to support their outreach events and the hundreds of families they serve. All of our programs and events are free of cost to our participants and are funded by your monetary donations and the revenue generated from our Kōkua Thrift Shop.

The word "Kōkua" comes from the Hawaiian language and is technically translated to mean "help, assistance, or aid." 

"Kōkua Project" was birthed from the same principle of helping others.  Our core values extend to a genuine caring for community along with meaningful action, with a goal to bring people together, give from the heart without expectation, and lend a helping hand to those in need.

Kōkua Project believes that together we can all win, that "we’ is the way."  We advocate for more connection, support, and communication within our communities.. more inclusivity and opportunities for our youth in education, personal development, employment, and other bridges to empowerment.

Our Mission

Kōkua Project was formed in 2020 for the purpose of uplifting and empowering underserved communities with a focus on at-risk youth and youth from unstable housing.

Our Vision

To become a global organization, offering youths from underserved areas a bridge of support through martial arts and community outreach. We aim to create generational change by planting seeds of practical wisdom, values, connection to community.

Our Values

At the heart of our organization is the genuine practice of "Aloha Spirit" and "Kōkua" . 

“Let us serve as a droplet of water in a large pond that creates ripples of goodness. May we always remember the old ways of caring for each other, supporting one another, and giving from the heart, understanding we are all connected. May we never forget the importance of love, community, and the deep meaning of Aloha and Kōkua….. 'We' is the way.’”