Giving Back to the ʻĀina
This November, our KaiAloha Supply ʻohana reached a meaningful milestone in our mission to mālama ʻāina and protect the ocean we love. As part of our Giving Back to the ʻĀina Campaign, we launched our 2025 Eco Warrior Grant — a community-powered initiative created to uplift nonprofits caring for Hawaii’s land, ocean, culture, and people.
From November 17–23, we invited our community to help us honor three organizations whose work makes a real impact across our islands. What followed was a week filled with aloha, engagement, and a shared commitment to giving back.
How Our Eco Warrior Grant Came to Life
The Eco Warrior Grant was created to deepen our impact and expand our Giving Back to the ʻĀina initiatives, which began with our Canvas Bag Program in 2022 — an effort that has reduced single-use waste while raising support for environmental nonprofits. This year, we wanted to build on that foundation by creating a more direct way for our community to participate.
Here’s how our grant worked: We selected three nonprofits whose missions align with our eco values and invited our community to vote through an Instagram poll for the organization they felt most connected to. The top-voted nonprofit received our debut Eco Warrior Grant, while the two runners-up were each honored with donations to support their ongoing work. As a mahalo, five voters were also selected to receive an Ocean Love Package filled with surprise KaiAloha Supply gear.
We were also honored to have our initiative featured in a Maui Now press release, helping share the mission behind our grant and spotlighting the nonprofits who inspire us — coverage that amplifies important work happening across Hawaii and reflects the power of community-driven conservation.
Honoring Our 2025 Eco Warrior Finalists
We are humbled to spotlight three organizations that embody what it means to mālama ʻāina and care for our community: Kahakukahi Foundation, AccesSurf, and Whale Trust.
Kahakukahi Foundation — 2025 Eco Warrior Grant Recipient ($5,000)
Kahakukahi Foundation cultivates cultural learning and environmental stewardship for keiki across Maui, Molokaʻi, and Hawaii Island. Through ocean education, native planting, and hands-on relationship-building with the land, they help youth grow as protectors of our islands. (Photo courtesy Nalani Wilsey)
With overwhelming community support, Kahakukahi Foundation received our inaugural $5,000 Eco Warrior Grant. (Photo courtesy of Kahakukahi Foundation)
AccesSurf — Donation Recipient ($3,500)
AccesSurf creates barrier-free ocean experiences for individuals with disabilities, bringing accessibility, inclusion, and joy to families across Oʻahu. Their adaptive surf programs give everyone the opportunity to feel at home in the water. (Photo courtesy Saray Sharvit)
We are proud to support their mission with a $3,500 donation. (Photo courtesy AccesSurf)
Whale Trust Maui — Donation Recipient ($2,500)
Whale Trust deepens understanding of Hawaii’s marine life through research, education, and conservation outreach. Their work connects communities to the ocean and inspires stewardship rooted in knowledge and respect. (Photo courtesy Whale Trust)
We are honored to contribute $2,500 toward their continued impact. (Photo courtesy Whale Trust)
Why We Give Back to the ʻĀina
Giving back is more than a campaign — it’s part of who we are. As a brand born on Maui and raised by the ocean, we believe it’s our kuleana to support the organizations working tirelessly to care for the places we love. The Eco Warrior Grant strengthens our commitment to ocean conservation, cultural preservation, inclusivity in outdoor spaces, and community-led sustainability. We are humbled to uplift these nonprofits and proud of the good we can accomplish together.
Mahalo Nui for Joining Us
To everyone who voted, shared, and took part in this first Eco Warrior Grant — mahalo! Your aloha helped amplify the voices of these nonprofits and brought more awareness to the work being done across our islands. This is just the beginning of our Giving Back to the ʻĀina journey. As we continue to grow, we hope to expand opportunities to support, celebrate, and stand beside those who protect Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources.
