Hawaii to Receive Over $4 Million in AmeriCorps Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that Hawaii will receive over $4 million in AmeriCorps funding for the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service programs, including Kupu’s Environmental Stewardship programs and Legal Aid Society of Hawaii’s Project Kaulike.
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that manages AmeriCorps and other national service programs, has awarded a total of $4,215,326 to Hawaii: Kupu will receive approximately $2.29 million, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii will receive $174,648, and the Hawaii Commission on National and Community Service will receive $716,156 for its state competitive-funded programs and formula-funded programs. These funds will support more than 270 AmeriCorps members.
The Kupu Environmental Stewardship project will engage more than 250 AmeriCorps members to remove invasive species, plant native vegetation, and support streams and trails across the state on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii Island.
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii’s Project Kaulike’s 20 AmeriCorps members will assist Hawaii’s low-income residents in navigating the justice system and any civil legal issues they may face.
“AmeriCorps members in Hawaii support some of our state’s critical programs. From keeping our treasured environment clean to assisting low- and moderate-income individuals with the justice system, I am grateful for the work that hundreds of AmeriCorps members do every year in our state,” Senator Hirono said.
Earlier this year, Senator Hirono cosponsored a resolution recognizing the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni to the United States. Additionally, she also signed a letter requesting continued support for CNCS programs like AmeriCorps in Fiscal Year 2021. Last year, she signed a similar letter requesting supporting for these programs in Fiscal Year 2020.
More information from CNCS about the Hawaii programs follows:
Kupu: Environmental Stewardship
Kupu proposes to have 258 AmeriCorps members who will remove invasive species, establish native vegetation, and remediate streams and trails at 90 service sites managed by federal, state, and community-based nonprofit partner conservation agencies on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii Island. At the end of the first program year, the AmeriCorps members will be responsible for improving 5,250 acres of parks and public lands by treating 6,200 acres and 800 miles of trails and streams. In addition, the AmeriCorps members will leverage 15,000 volunteers who will be engaged in invasive species removal, native plant establishment, and stream/trail remediation alongside AmeriCorps members.
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii: Project Kaulike
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii's AmeriCorps Project Kaulike (meaning "justice" or "equality") proposes to place 20 members in positions that help low-income residents of Hawaii navigate the justice system and connect with the legal information and resources they need to overcome their civil legal problems. Members will serve in Legal Aid offices throughout the state, as well as in courthouse-based self-help centers. By the end of the first program year, AmeriCorps members will have assisted more than 2,700 disadvantaged Hawaii residents, including 200 veterans or veterans' family members, in becoming familiar with the legal system and their own rights and responsibilities. Members will also conduct 175 education and outreach events. Members will leverage volunteer help when appropriate to assist in the five self-help centers located throughout the state in order to provide individuals with specific legal information, counsel and advice.
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