Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Starts New Friends Group at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

“The Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is honored to participate in the National Park Foundation’s Strong Parks, Strong Communities program. Under our Wing is a project that will enable us to support Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park,” said Elizabeth Fien, president & CEO of The Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. “This park has significant historical importance to indigenous people of Hawai‘i. We are creating a new friends group with a focus on preserving the culture, sharing it with residents and visitors alike, and protecting the natural resources.”

The National Park Foundation (NPF) announced more than $1.7 million in new funding to support 41 park partner organizations across the country. The grants will enable partner organizations to invest in strategic planning, community engagement, improving visitor experience in parks, increasing organizational relevancy and resiliency, and launching new fundraising campaigns.

The funding initiative is part of the National Park Foundation’s Strong Parks, Strong Communities program to cultivate and expand national park philanthropy working in partnership with the National Park Service, and Friends Alliance.

“Philanthropy and partnership are essential to the success of America’s national parks,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “New funding will help park partners across the country to build capacity, improve strategic planning and fundraising initiatives, and to more deeply engage the communities and national parks they serve. Ultimately, investing in the growing community of park partners is a commitment to expanding and transforming the role philanthropy plays to ensure national parks reach their full potential.”