As we reflect on our work in 2024 at the Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO), one word stands out: transformation.
Transformation is not about leaving the past behind it’s about building upon the foundation that brought us here. In 2024, we celebrated the legacy and many contributions of our outgoing CEO, Lisa Maruyama, for her nearly 16 years of commitment to HANO's mission. In March, I had the honor of stepping into the role of President & CEO The team embraced this significant change to the organization as a catalyst for a new era
We reconnected in person at our first “HANOCON” conference since 2019 a longawaited gathering that reminded us of the power of community and collective vision at the foot of the Koʻolau Mountains We grew our HANO team, adding two new members who bring fresh energy and expertise to our work on communications and policy
These milestones, though exciting, came against the backdrop of a shifting and uncertain landscape for nonprofits. Many organizations are still feeling the weight of the pandemic and the tragic Maui fires, now compounded with existential questions about how a new federal administration’s actions will impact our work and the communities we serve both in the near- and long-term.
Looking ahead to 2025, we know that uncertainty will continue to shape the sector. Federal policies and funding shifts are forcing organizations to make difficult decisions and find new ways to sustain their missions Values we hold dear of diversity, equity, and inclusion are under threat. And the health, wellbeing, safety, and freedoms of so many are at stake. The weight of these challenges is real, and we don’t take them lightly.
Yet, if there is one thing we ’ ve learned from this past year, it’s that transformation is not just about change it is about possibility Nonprofits have always been at the forefront of meeting challenges with innovation, courage, and an unwavering commitment to community.
In the coming year, we will meet this moment with the same resolve that has carried us through before We will continue to advocate, support, and uplift the sector, ensuring that nonprofits have the tools, connections, and knowledge to weather the storms ahead.
Thank you for taking a moment to explore HANO’s journey over the past year, and mahalo for all the work you do for our communities in Hawaiʻi. Together, let’s stay steady, connected, and committed in this pivotal moment.
With appreciation and hope,
Melissa Miyashiro, President & CEO
Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO)
Meet the HANO Team
President & CEO Melissa Miyashiro
Jennifer CornishCreed
Director of
Policy Director Jodi Robinson
Anthony Arce
Learning Events Manager
Membership and Engagement Manager Ashley Ancheta Galacgac
Senior Director of Strategy and Implementation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Executive Director, Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi OUTGOING
Bryan Talisayan
RENEWING
RENEWING
Michelle Bartell
President & CEO, Aloha United Way
Elizabeth Fujii
Chief Operating Officer, Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation
Eric Shearer
Donor Relations Writer, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
Ashley Raymond Executive Director, Donkey Mill Art Center
Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni
President & CEO, Partners in Development Foundation
Executive Director, Family Promise INCOMING
Ryan Catalani
Sr. Dir. of Public Affairs, Elemental Impact INCOMING
Tiffany Hyunh
Kashmira Reid
Sr Public Relations Manager, AlohaCare
Ryan Kusumoto
President & CEO, Parents and Children
Together
Marcie Saquing
Chief Operating Officer, Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center
Who is HANO?
The Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations, or HANO as we know it today, builds upon a legacy that spans more than 120 years of supporting providers of community services in the islands. We became “HANO” in 2006, an evolution from our predecessor organization, the Hawaiʻi Community Services Council (HCSC). HCSC itself was an evolution of many earlier community support organizations that date back to the early 1900s when the bubonic plague reached the shores of Hawaiʻi
Today, HANO works to address key challenges facing nonprofits, helping them to build financial sustainability and maintain a thriving workforce while also growing their impact and meeting a rising demand for services across Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities. HANO supports nonprofits with capacity-building resources, technical assistance, training, and leadership development. We also lead public policy discussions on behalf of the sector, advocating for improvements in government and philanthropic systems and policies that can bolster the sector’s resilience, and ultimately improve lives in the communities they serve.
HANOCON 2024
I ka wā ma mua, i ka wā ma hope The future is found in the past
WE ARE ALL HANO
HANO supports all Hawaiʻi-based nonprofits and commits to be a valued resource to nonprofits, peer organizations, funders, policy makers, and the media. When nonprofits are successful, the ripple effect is felt throughout the islands. By also creating connections with member benefit partners, HANO leverages the collective buying power of the membership to save our organizations time and money HANO looks forward to growing our membership and deepening these connections within the sector and beyond
HANO Benefactor Member:
Central Pacific Bank - Stacy Suzui
“I am so glad the Central Pacific Bank was able to be a Benefactor Member of HANO. HANO provides great resources such as quality workshops that cover topics pertinent to the Nonprofit such as Board Governance As a member, we also receive discounted rates at conferences and seminars. Their staff is responsive and truly cares about the needs of the nonprofits they serve. ”
HANO Member Benefit Partner: SimplicityHR by ALTRES
ALTRES provides expert HR and payroll services, building capacity for our nonprofit members. Our partnership exemplifies our value of strengthening the sector, likely why ALTRES is one of our most engaged member benefits.
Common Ground Collective - Jennifer Karaca, Founding Executive Director
HANO MEMBERS 437
HANO NONPROFIT MEMBERS HAVE UP TO $1 MILLION BUDGET 75%
MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER PRODUCTS & SERVICES 19 GROWTH INCREASE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR 13%
"SimplicityHR by ALTRES has been an invaluable partner to Common Ground Collective, helping us strengthen our organization from the inside out. With their expertise, we ’ ve developed a more comprehensive employee handbook, ensuring clarity and consistency in our workplace policies. They’ve also streamlined our payroll process and tax filings, making operations smoother and more efficient. Through ALTRES, we ’ ve gained access to vital resources for both our organization and employees that were previously out of reach Beyond that, their support in spotlighting our work has helped the community gain a deeper understanding of our mission, further amplifying our impact. We are grateful for their continued partnership in helping us grow and thrive!"
" they [HANO] keep everyone on track, it's a day and a half period, and they're able to come up with very succinct bullet points that ultimately become our strategic goals They're very good at when someone articulates something, finding a way to rephrase it so that it's very clear what their intention was, and then finding connections ”
Katy
Chen, President & CEO, Goodwill Hawaiʻi
HANO provides nonprofit leaders learning opportunities to gain skills to fulfill the responsibilities of their role in their organization Integral is relationship building and advocating for the nonprofit sector as a whole. 2024 HANO Fellow and Emerging Nonprofit Leader, Sergio Alcubilla, shares HANO’s commitment to center the people of the nonprofit sector
“And a lot of that begins from the collective conversations that we've been having at HANO… [I’m] really excited to push the envelope… in the nonprofit sector It may be different from the way we're used to doing things, but if it improves our outcomes, if it improves the way we serve the community, and if it improves the way that we treat our staff, I'm all for it So big props to HANO”
HANO provides affordable board training and grants technical support HANO began working with the Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in 2021 by providing advice and counsel to the all-volunteer management of our nonprofit In 2025, the Friends transitioned to a full-time executive director with a staff of six employees,
“...it's a different organization now and the role of the Board has changed Recognizing and performing what are board functions versus staff functions are vital to the seamless management of the Garden HANO training really helped us to stop and think about that Hopefully it will give us good structure and background as we move forward in these challenging times"
Board Vice President Patricia Todd, Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens, Kona, Hawaiʻi Island
"Starting out as a first time CEO, I struggled adjusting to the dynamics of working with a Board of Directors
Then the Maui wildfires occurred, which completely changed our landscape and added new demands to my job as a leader The support I received from the other fellows who shared similar experiences became a lifeline for me. "
"HANO's focus on personal wellness was key for me- from the mindful moments, journal prompts, and one-on-one opportunities to get to know the other cohort members The relationships we developed during our eight months together will endure into the future"
“It's important to recognize HANO as the foundational influence it is in the sector Support at this level does in fact move up, it's an organization that stabilizes, strengthens and spreads support HANO exponentially increases capacity for Community Based Organizations such as ours HANO is a pump station for the nonprofit sector, you go there and there’s a boost."
Kimberly Pierce, Executive Director, Kalamapiʻi PLAY School, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island
In 2024, HANO provided a wide range of support through our technical assistance and consulting services This included nonprofit start-up counseling, customized board governance training, and multi-month strategic planning which incorporates stakeholder data gathering, analysis, and reporting Learning opportunities were offered both virtually, via webinars, and in-person at HANOCON. Convenings featured sessions like "It’s Lonely at the Top" for Executive Directors, as well as periodic check-ins with Hawaiʻi’s Congressional Delegation, all aimed at fostering connection and collaboration.
FOUNDATION GRANTS SUPPORT SERVICES
NONPROFITS SERVED 21
In 2023 and 2024, HANO offered a pilot program to provide foundation grant support services to nonprofits free of charge. Through this initiative, HANO helped nonprofits secure $1,719,000 in funding to advance their missions. Mahalo to Kamehameha Schools and the Freeman Foundation for supporting this program!
HANO Fellows is a multi-month cohort program for nonprofit executives, focused on leadership development, nonprofit management principles, and fostering peer relationships within Hawaiʻi’s nonprofit community
The program brings together 15 emerging nonprofit directors, representing diverse missions and perspectives but united by a a shared commitment to serving the people and communities of Hawaiʻi Participants learn together while building intentional connections with seasoned nonprofit leaders who have been through the Weinberg Fellows program and peer leaders who have also completed the HANO Fellows program.
For more information, go to wwwhanofellowsorg
2024 Highlights
Cohort 3 was connected, involved, and courageous!
Our midpoint session included a more intentional networking and relationship building focus among HANO Fellows (past and present), Weinberg Fellows and our funding partners It was great to see nonprofit leaders connecting across missions, islands, and length of time in the sector! In 2024, we were also able to bring back our in-person Huakaʻi to the last gathering and “walk the land” of two of our amazing Fellows.
To see last year’s cohort, visit wwwhanofellowsorg/2024hano-fellows
Partners & Funders
Mahalo to our funders, donors, sponsors, and HANOCON exhibitors. Our achievements are made possible through your partnership and financial support reflecting your belief in our mission. *
Funders
Bank of Hawaiʻi
Freeman Foundation
Harold K.L. Castle Foundation
Hau'oli Mau Loa Foundation
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
Kamehameha Schools
National Council of Nonprofits
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
Ulupono Initiative
Zilber Family Foundation
Donors
Michelle Bartell
Bevanne Bowers
Donna R. Ching & Skip Bittenbender
Lily Bloom Domingo (HANOCON Scholarship)
Elizabeth Fujii
Frank Garcia
Melissa Geiger
Saril K
Ryan Kusumoto
Patti Look
Nikki Love Kingman (HANOCON Scholarship)
Lisa Maruyama
Melissa Miyashiro
Christopher Molina
Dona Elizabeth (Beth) Murph
Laurie & Ryan Nakamoto
Mary Ramsay
Kashmira Reid
Eric Shearer
Crystal Smyth
Marti Townsend
HANOCON Sponsors & Exhibitors
AlohaCare
Aloha United Way
Altres Simplicity HR
American Savings Bank
Clay Partnering Solutions
CommUnity Works
Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation
Ezuka Law Offices
Freeman Foundation
Glen S. Aoki, CPA, LLC
GrantStation
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
Hawaiʻi Energy
Hawaiʻi Pacific University
Hawaiʻi Stage Event Production Company
Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union
Hawaiʻi Tech Support
HouseMart dba Ben Franklin Crafts
Kaiser Permanente
Klapperich International Training Associates (KITA) LLC/Owner
Lanakila Pacific
Lotus Honolulu
Mercer Investments
MonkeyPod
National Purchasing Partners
Papa Ola Lokahi
Parents And Children Together
Peg Jackson & Associates
Skog Rasmussen LLC
Supporting Strategies Hawai'i
The Orchid Lei Company
Toshiba
UJOIN
Wikoff Combs & Co., LLC
*Donors reflect the period from January 1 to December 31, 2024 If your name has not been listed accurately or you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out
2024 was a transformational year for HANO, pushing the organization to confront structural needs and growth necessary to serve the expanding nonprofit sector. Building on the lessons learned over the past year, we developed intentional and impactful strategies to advance our mission of uniting the sector. Here are our key priorities as we move into 2025;
Deepening our policy and advocacy activities:
In 2025, HANO is excited to expand its policy and advocacy efforts through active engagement in state and federal policy This includes tracking key bills, submitting testimony, attending events, and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders. To expand advocacy participations, we will deepen membership outreach, host listening sessions, and integrate policy into HANO’s training programs
Supporting professional development in the sector:
With the launch of the fourth cohort of HANO Fellows, we are expanding our networkbuilding activities across cohorts, including connections with the Weinberg Fellows. We will be planning various “HANO Fellows Connect” events to foster collaboration among nonprofit leaders statewide. Support for Executive Directors will continue through our “It’s Lonely at the Top” gatherings and listserv We are also introducing a new pay-what-you-can model for open-forum trainings, enabling funding dollars to stretch farther while promoting equitable access to high-quality professional development opportunities.
Updating key sector data:
HANO will update and report on data to assess the “state of the sector” for nonprofits in Hawaiʻi. We envision the “Sector Report” as a data- and story-rich resource on the status and wellbeing of the nonprofit sector The report will provide nonprofits, government agencies, philanthropic partners, and the public with up-to-date insights into the sector’s contributions and ongoing needs.
Mahalo nui loa:
We are humbled by the aloha shown by our network of organizations and individuals who have shared their mana ʻ o and partnership with HANO and one another. We firmly believe in the strength of Hawaiʻi’s nonprofit sector and remain committed to be accessible, inclusive, supportive, and authentic in fulfilling our mission.
