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About Us

The Board of Directors and Executive Director Maylette Garces in front of the Reef Guardians mobile van.

Overview

Founded as the Kauai North Shore Community Foundation, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating under the dba North Shore Give, and are one of the most active nonprofits on the North Shore of Kauai.

We define the North Shore according to the tradition of the Hawaiian moku (district) of Koʻolau and Haleleʻa:

Halele‘a: Ke‘e, Wainiha, Lumaha‘i, Kalihiwai, Kalihikai (Princeville), Hanalei,  Wai‘oli, Waipā,  Waikoko.

Ko‘olau: Nāmāhana, Kīlauea,  Kāhili, Waiakalua, Pīla‘a, Waipakē,  Lepe‘uli, Ka‘aka‘aniu, Moloa‘a, Aliomanu, Papa‘a, Anahola.

North Shore Give holds a Certificate of Good Standing with the State of Hawaii, earned the Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid, and received a commendation from the the Mayor’s Office and Council of the County of Kauai for our work in enhancing the community and supporting non-profits.

Board of Directors

Core Principles

Guided by our core principles, we strive to foster a giving mindset, cultivate community partnerships, inform, and invest in our North Shore community.

Get Involved

We Give

We foster a GIVE mindset. Everyone can contribute and make a difference in our community.

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We Partner

We PARTNER with, and forge connections between individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and local agencies to cultivate a collaborative community.

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We Inform

We INFORM relevant and valuable information so our community is connected, resilient, and aware.

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We Invest

We INVEST in other nonprofits by supporting their efforts. The North Shore community thrives when nonprofits succeed.

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Diversity Affirmation

North Shore Give is committed to equity and fairness and the belief that all people must be given the opportunity to participate in a healthy and mutually respectful environment. The Foundation does not allow discrimination, nor support intolerance, in any of its policies, hiring, programs, partnerships, or giving activities.

Milestones

Community Inspired for 12 Years and Counting

2026

The North Shore Give 2026 Auction & Gala raise over $100,000 to support programs and initiatives that strengthen the North Shore of Kauai.

2026

2025

  • North Shore Give continues to support Namahana School and donates almost $150,000.
  • Through the Foundation’s Gift of Health initiative, the community raises over $75,000 to purchase an ultrasound machine for Makana North Shore Urgent Care.
  • With the support of the Mayor’s Office, Kauai Fire Dept., and Kauai Emergency Management Agency (KEMA), North Shore Give launches North Shore Ready, a community preparedness and resilience program with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training as a key component.
  • From proceeds of the Ohana FitFest 5K obstacle fun run/walk, North Shore Give donates $20,000 to five North Shore elementary schools and Namahana School for health and fitness programs.
2025

2024

  • The Foundation launches the Gift of Health multi-year fundraising initiative to expand medical services at Makana North Shore Urgent Care. The North Shore has no hospital and Makana is the only urgent care facility.
  • The Foundation hosts North Shore Give Week in partnership with 30 other North Shore non-profits to inspire the community to learn about their missions and contribute to those they wish to support.
  • A grant is given to Reef Guardians to expand its water testing program using EPA-approved methods to ensure the data’s utility for state and federal mitigation efforts. This program investigates pollution indicators such as nutrients and fecal bacteria in the streams flowing into ‘Anini lagoon.
  • The Foundation launches North Shore Give Week to support participating nonprofits and encourage everyone in the community to learn about and donate to the nonprofits. Collectively, nonprofits are doing the work to improve the broader community.
  • North Shore Give donates $20,000 to North Shore elementary schools from proceeds of the annual Ohana FitFest.
  • The Foundation appoints its first full-time executive director.
2024

2023

  • The Ohana FitFest Obstacle Fun Run/Walk celebrates its 10th anniversary. In the last decade, event proceeds were donated to non-profit organizations and programs including: ʻAina Hoʻokupu O Kīlauea, Anaina Hou Community Park, Kanuikapono Public Charter School, Hanalei Elementary School, Hanalei Hawaiian Civic Club, Kauai Junior Lifeguards, Keala Foundation, Kīlauea Elementary School, Kauaʻi Kupuna Place, Kauaʻi Outrigger Association, Nāmolokama Canoe Club, North Shore Lions Club, Princeville Fitness Trail, Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay.
  • A grant is given to the Kauai North Shore Lions Club for the Anini public trail cleanup.
  • A grant is given to to Mālama Kauaʻi for the KauKau4Keiki summer meal program.
  • The KNSCF board approves significant expansion of the Foundation’s vision, mission and goals and rebrands as North Shore Give.
2023

2022

  • Eight years after the Foundation birthed the dream of having a public charter middle and high school on the North Shore, the Foundation obtains approval from the Hawaii State Charter School Commission to proceed with the Namahana Charter School.
  • The Foundation officially “hands the baton” to the Namahana Education Foundation (NEF), an independent nonprofit organization established in 2020 to advance Namahana School’s mission.
  • The Foundation grants $400,000 to support the task of the construction of the school.
2022

2021

  • A grant is given to Aloha Angels for Adopt-a-Band program.
  • A grant is given to Mālama Kauaʻi for North Shore relief efforts following the Hanalei Hill landslide and to support their vision of increasing local food production on Kaua‘i. 
2021

2020

  • The Namahana Education Foundation (NEF) is created to advance Namahana Schoolʻs mission, and is tasked with the fundraising and construction for the school campus. It receives its 501(c)(3) status.
  • The Foundation spearheads a fundraising campaign to support the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust in its conservation efforts at Kahili Beach Preserve.
  • The Foundation partners with the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay and Zonta Club of Hanalei to purchase Chromebooks for Kilauea School.
  • A grant is given to the Kanuikapono Public Charter School to purchase the Aloha book series for elementary students. The Foundation partners with the Rotary Club of Hanalei to purchase a new school sign.
2020

2019

  • The Foundation leases an 8-acre parcel in Wai Koa Plantation, the original parcel of land identified for the public middle and high school. The Foundation facilitates community engagement including in-depth listening sessions, small group meetings, feedback from elementary school students, and an online survey.
  • The Foundation works with Big Picture Learning, an internationally recognized nonprofit that specializes in school development to assist in creating an ‘āina-based student-centered curriculum.
  • Dr. Kapua L. Chandler is selected as the new School Leader. The Foundation retains a team of professional consultants to assist with fundraising, architectural design, and writing an application to the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission.
  • A grant is given to purchase equipment for the Kauai Junior Lifeguards.
2019

2018

  • Makana North Shore Urgent Care opens.
  • An annual grant program is started with the University of Hawaii Foundation for Kauai Community College scholarships.
2018

2017

  • Makana North Shore Urgent Care receives a $1.1 million loan to complete construction of the facilities.
  • A grant is given to the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay to install AEDs (automated external defibrillator) at multiple locations.
2017

2016

  • Land is secured for the new Makana North Shore Urgent Care facilities.
  • The Foundation initiates the “Let’s Build a School” campaign to raise funds for the future Namahana School.
2016

2015

  • The Foundation becomes the fiscal sponsor for the Makana North Shore Urgent Care so it can fundraise to build the first urgent care center on the North Shore with diagnostic technologies (x-ray and laboratory).
  • The Foundation starts a petition (ultimately collecting 600+ signatures) that support building a public charter middle and high school on the North Shore.
  • Uniforms are purchased via a Foundation grant for the Anahola youth baseball team.
2015

2014

  • The Foundation opens the North Shore Dog Park which continues to be a free public-access place for dogs to run and play off-leash.
  • Guidestar awards the Foundation gold seal for transparency.
2014

2013

  • The Foundation hosts the first family-friendly obstacle fun run on the North Shore in Hanalei Bay. The annual event is now known as the Ohana FitFest.
  • The Foundation secures a 25-year use license on a 1.2-acre parcel from the owners of the Wai Koa Plantation in Kilauea to build the only dog park on the North Shore.
  • The Foundation becomes the fiscal sponsor for Anaina Hou Community Park and assists to fundraise for a skateboard park.
2013

2012

  • Kauai North Shore Community Foundation is created, incorporated in Hawaii, and receives its 501(c)(3) status.
2012

Community News

Stay updated with the latest happenings and stories from the North Shore of Kauai. Our Community News blog brings you the latest updates on events, projects, and initiatives that make a positive impact on our community. Explore inspiring stories, important announcements, and ways to get involved.

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