Palama Settlement

“For their review, the form 990 is provided to the board prior to its submission to the irs.”

“Palama's conflict of interest policy is discussed during new trustee orientation. A signed copy of the policy is kept on file for key staff and volunteers, and trustees. Should potential conflicts of interests arise, the trustee is given the opportunity to disclose all material facts. Depending on the conflict, the trustee may recuse him/herself from a meeting or vote.”

“The executive director's compensation was reviewed and approved by the board of directors. Comparable data such as form 990 of other organizations that are similar in size was used. The process was documented in the minutes and personnel file, and was last undertaken in 2019.”

“Palama annually renews its registration with state of hawaii's department of commerce and consumer affairs and the attorney general's office and the 990 is therefore public record. Upon request, palama will make all information available to requesting parties.”

“Covid-19 response intitiatives were created at the march 2020 shutdown, which include the daily distribution of food boxes from the hawaii foodbank, usda, and aloha harvest; the conversion of in-person classes to online google classroom sessions; the creation of a distance learning site for palama athletes who needed access to technology, wifi, a supportive adult, and a quiet place to study; and the hiring of technology teachers to provide robotics and coding classes.”

“The coronavirus forced palama settlement to make significant changes to programs. 1. Food distribution which occurred twice a week became a daily service. Deliveries to shelters were decreased to follow safety guidelines, limited to shut-ins/disabled. 2. The in-person classes were converted to google classroom including the ictp as staff persons and teachers worked from home in compliance with hawaii governor's order. The coding and robotics classes, ableton music/element 5 classes, hoopaa kakou tutoring were offered online. 3. Fifteen palama athletes that were struggling with distance learning were welcomed at the blackfield learning center to do school work. 4. Aquatics stopped offering swimming lessons but allowed lane swimming.”

“Community organization - palama's community services program (csp) provides emergency services to the residents of the surrounding low-income neighborhood. These include an emergency food pantry and in partnership with other agencies, emergency financial assistance for rent or past due utility bills. Over 10,000 food boxes were distributed in 2020. Frozen meals of 1000/week for 8 weeks were distributed in addition. Foodland vouchers were made available through the salvation army, valued at $51,000, for qualified families. Additional foodland vouchers were given away by community services staff; were distributed through the drive through food pick up. In 2020, the csp coordinated palama's keiki (children) thanksgiving supper and the annual holiday event. Approximately 100 children participated in the turkey supper- approximately 200 meals were distributed at a drive by pick up service; and over 1200 children received a wrapped gift from santa at the holiday event. Both events included free food, entertainment and games or information tables. Annually, the kahala nui senior center donates 300 gift bags filled with toiletry and non-perishable food items which the csp and volunteers delivers to homebound as well as active seniors who reside in the low-income neighborhood. For many seniors, this is the only holiday gift they will receive. During the summer, palama settlement provides daily hot lunches to its summer programs through participation in the department of education, child nutrition branch, summer food service program. Meals were distributed to the 11 summer enrichment program participants. In addition, free school lunches were given to neighborhood children who need food. Classes were closed down but doe recognized that children depended on the cafeteria for their meals. Palama pitched in by being one of the distribution sites.”

“Recreation programs are provided for low to moderate income families and individuals, at-risk youth, and the elderly. Programs for youth include learn-to-swim classes/free swim, after-school drop in activities, and a competitive sports program that requires attendance to a weekly acadmic center. Palama's goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for youth during non-schoool hours when the delinquency risk is high. Late night basketball during the summer provides an option for teens to engage in a physical, team sport rather than delinquent activities. The pakolea program of the recreation department is a program that motivates for personal growth, educational development, athletic achievement. Fifteen (15) or so athletes who needed help with school work and do not have access to a computer or wifi came to palama everyday to meet with teachers and classmates online to do schoolwork. Pakolea coaches became their tutors and support system during the challenging time. The senior program draws about 200 participants who are registered in line dancing, tai chi, zumba, chair yoga, mah jong, hula, sewing classes and watercolor. The program is volunteer driven with seniors serving as coordinators and instructors. To adapt, the senior program converted to zoom classes. Half of the regular attendees participated in 10 various classes. The summer enrichment program had 11 participants; the activities were limited because of covid-19; the day long classes ran for 5 weeks instead of 6. The drop-in activities for youth and families and the gameroom opened at the beginning of 2020 but were closed when the statewide shutdown happened. Training table halted, as athletic events and games were put to a stop.”

“Education - the pre-k ace classes were suspended when the coronavirus pandemic hit hawaii. The music, technology, tutoring and enrichment classes were conducted online. Teachers were encouraged to continue to connect with students. The ho`opa`a kakou afterschool tutoring program assisted an average of 5 students a day, via online tutoring and enrichments activities. Coding classes were offered afterschool and on saturdays during the summer to children ages 6 to 14. In the makery lab, afterschool children utilized the massachusetts institute of technology's scratch application to build robots with lego wedo kits. These technology classes are offered online, classwork assignments are posted in google classroom.”

“This process has not changed from the prior year.”