TO SUPPORT CONSERVATION OF HAWAI`I'S NATIVE WILDLIFE THROUGH RESEARCH AND EDUCATION Hawai`i Wildlife Fund is a non-profit research and education organization dedicated to the conservation of Hawai`i's native wildlife. We collaborate with other scientists to obtain knowledge about threatened and endangered species in order to assist in their recovery. We forge alliances and partnerships with community organizations and businesses to educate visitors and residents of Hawai`i about the marine ecosystem and impending threats. We support various University of Hawai`i student projects through research and education programs. Hawai`i Wildlife Fund is specifically dedicated to: • Provide funding for Hawai`i wildlife conservation, research and education proposals from qualified scientists, university programs, and private organizations. • Provide a natural history education program that will supply educational materials and train individuals to be instructors to the general public on Hawai`i's wildlife. • Perform research on Hawai`i's wildlife and ecosystems to facilitate identification and resolution of problems threatening their existence. • Solicit funds to finance the above objectives from the Hawai`i community and other sources

Research, education and conservation programs provided by Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund contribute to the on-the ground protection and future survival of Hawaii’s native wildlife and coastal habitats. We envision thriving native species (with effective conservation measures in place) across the Hawaiian Islands archipelago.

Goal One: Develop and implement recovery actions for the endangered Hawaiian hawksbill sea turtle, including research to identify foraging habitat and prey species, and nest protection activities.

Goal Two: Lead marine debris recovery efforts for both the main Hawaiian Islands and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Since 1998, HWF has pulled over 375 tons of marine debris from beaches and reefs.

Goal Three: Continue to offer community outreach and educational programs on marine wildlife and habitat conservation through our naturalist training program, student projects, and internships.

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund leadership encourages staff and Board members to participate in relevant workshops and trainings, related to both conservation project development and non-profit management. Staff and future leaders are strongly encouraged to participate in leadership opportunities, including events hosted annually or semi-annually by the Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO) and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF). In addition, HWF holds at least one Board gathering each year that fosters team-building between Board members and staff, allowing for an important exchange of knowledge among current and future HWF leaders.

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund (HWF) has adapted to numerous expected and unexpected changes through the nearly 3 decades of its existence, from the economic meltdowns of 2008-09 through COVID, to the recent wildfire of Aug 8, 2023 which destroyed Lahaina, Maui. This latest disaster impacted both the projects and personal lives of our dedicated Maui team members, and nearly everyone on Maui. Despite this enormous challenge, our team members worked tirelessly to support the community in its early recovery, while continuing critical HWF projects, including the 24-hour protection of sea turtle nest sites and hatchlings. The fires also had an impact on our Hawaiʻi Wildlife Discovery Center (HWDC) in Kaanapali, Maui, which is only 1 mile from the burn zone. All of West Maui was closed to public access for nearly 2 weeks, and upon reopening, the HWDC offered daily free programs for children, particularly those displaced from their home or school. In recent years, HWF has been restructuring in accordance with the Performance Indicators Seven Pillars (presented to HWF by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation), a process that has been complex and caused significant staff turnover. However, great strides in enhancing the organization’s effectiveness have occurred, including the appointment of two new Board members, the conversion of three key, long-term contractors to employees, increased communications between projects as well as between island leaders, the establishment of a more efficient online financial reporting system, and increased internal and external evaluations. Our Board and staff have also worked hard to continue the impressive legacy of our Co-Founder, Bill Gilmartin, who devoted 25 years to this NGO, after a long career as a marine scientist with NOAA. We are excited to continue to add extremely dedicated leadership and staff from the next generations of conservationists, scientists and activists.