The Maui News

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is holding grant orientation sessions, as it makes $14.9 million in grant solicitations available to support 12 categories intended to help Native Hawaiians.

The grants program provides support to Hawaii-based nonprofit organizations that have projects, programs and initiatives that align with OHA’s 15-year Mana i Mauli Ola strategic plan.

Solicitations cover community grants to strengthen ‘ohana (family), mo’omeheu (culture) and ‘aina (land) connections, and increase support to Native Hawaiians for housing, education, health, and economic stability. OHA’s ‘Ahahui Grant Program has doubled its budget to support sponsorship of community events.

Grant applications will now be reviewed quarterly, instead of every six months.

Grant orientation sessions will be offered:

From noon to 1 p.m. today, “Overview of Grants Budget, Solicitations and Process Changes.” The session will be recorded and posted to the website.

From noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, “Technical Session.” Participants are asked to refer to the narrated PowerPoint online at https://vimeo.com/69667 4206/1621e80c35, then submit questions to grantsinfo@ oha.org by 4 p.m. Monday for discussion during the Technical session. A written response to the questions will be posted on the website by Friday.

From noon to 1 p.m. April 25 and April 27, “Munch and Mana’o Work Session” providing online access to grants program staff to ask general questions or seek assistance on the applicant system.

Links for each orientation session and information on the new grant solicitations is available at www.oha.org/grants.