Leadership

Energy

Learn more about our Live Smart Microgrid System

Sustainability Programs

Learn more about our Wa’a Leadership Model & Mommy Makeovers

Families

Learn more about our Nuakea Breastfeeding Program

Education

Learn more about how we plan to teach our next generation

Sustainability PROGRAMS: Leadership

Wa'a Leadership Model (2010-2015)

From 2010 to 2015, KHM piloted its Waʻa Leadership Model. This women’s shared leadership
model is a modern application of indigenous wisdom. The art of Polynesian ocean travel in
double-hulled canoes is the basis of KHM’s pioneering, cyclical approach to organization and
community development. The Waʻa Leadership Model is summarized in the following diagram
and detailed in the 2015 Case Study that includes national research on the critical need for
work-life balance and flexibility. During this time, KHM was able to accomplish an incredible
amount, including increasingly healthy fishponds, completing a new office building that
embodied the values of the organization, and new breastfeeding education programs
recognized nationally as a model for community health. This all occurred while sustaining core
youth development and environmental education programs.

Why the wa'a model?

Many nonprofits are on the forefront of ecological and cultural change. 75% of the nonprofit workforce is female and the majority of these nonprofit organizations–with budgets less than $1 million per year–are led by female CEOs. However, in 2010 studies reported “alarming numbers'' of executive directors leaving the nonprofit sector and a reluctance of new leadership to step in. KHM noted the irony of running a sustainability-focused organization in an unsustainable way. Thus, we developed the wa’a model.

Ka Honua Momona—The Abundant Land: An Indigenous Leadership Model for Environmental, Social, Organizational, and Individual health. (2015)

Wa’a Leadership Model: Staff and board communications brief (2016)

The Wa‘a: A Hawaiian Leadership Model for Organizational Sustainability and Individual, Community, and Environmental Health (2010)

Mommy Makeovers 2018

Mommy Makeovers 2018 gave female caregivers an opportunity to take care of their own health and wellbeing. We believe that in order to take care of others we must also make time to look after ourselves. Mommy Makeovers offered mothers and female caregivers on the island of Molokai full body massages from a local masseuse and full salon treatment from professional hair stylists that includes shampoo, conditioning, neck and scalp massage, haircut and/or hairstyling. As these women at the event talked with each other and shared their personal experiences as caregivers, we will also provided snacks and refreshments from local vendors. Additionally, during the event mothers will be able to rest in provided hammocks and reconnect with nature at our 500 year old fishpond, One Ali’i.