KōCreate: Makahiki 2026 Civic Grants

KōCreate: Makahiki Civic Grants
Vibrant Hawaiʻi is distributing $250 gathering grants to hosts who bring people together to talk story about how their community is doing and how Vibrant Hawaiʻi can support action in 2027. You receive $150 up front to help with what you need to host, and the remaining $100 after you submit your follow-up form. Design the gathering however it fits your group: a potluck, an afternoon of lei or wreath making, a cookie trade, a holiday get-together. As the host, you lead the group through a short survey and a set of conversation prompts we send you.

Funds may be used for food, supplies, or other direct costs of bringing people together.

Who can apply:
- Hawaiʻi Island Residents
- Individuals over the age of 18
- One KōCreate grant per person per year
How it works:
- Apply here. Tell us who you plan to invite and what your gathering will look like.
- If you are approved, we email you everything you need: the survey link, the conversation prompts, a printable worksheet, and a $150 digital gift card.
- Pick your date and invite your community. Plan to gather at least 6 people age 15 or older.
- Gather. Take the survey together and talk through the prompts. There are no wrong answers. Share about your conversations in a worksheet or record a voice note.
- Hold your gathering by Sunday, December 20, 2026, then fill out a short reflection form and upload your photos. We send the remaining $100 once your form is in.
About You- The Host
Applicant Name

First NameLast Name
Email
Digital gift cards will be sent to this address, so please double check email.
Phone Number
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Physical Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Social Media Handle
About Your Gathering
What will your gathering be?
Give it a name like Hālau Holiday Cookie Exchange or Pau Hana Potluck
Date of Gathering

MonthDayYear
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearTo be completed between November 15th to December 20th.
What will you do at the gathering?
What else is happening during your gathering along with the Vibrant Hawaiʻi conversations?
Who is coming? Guests need to be 15 or older. Keiki are welcome, but not counted in your 6.

Other
How many people do you expect?
Minimum of 6 others, excluding yourself as Host
Where will you gather?
City and location
How is Hawaiʻi Island Doing?- Vibrant Hawaiʻi Indicators

This next section is our annual survey. You are taking it now as part of your application, so you will know exactly what your guests answer at your gathering.

How would you rate the current state of each of the following on a scale of Terrible to Vibrant.

Rows	Terrible	Bad	Good	Vibrant	Donʻt Know
Living Aloha: Being in harmony with our ʻāina, community and ourselves.
Belonging: Building relationships to place and people so we can care for and be cared for by them.
Get Chance: Access to equitable systems that promote choice and prosperity.
Get Choice: The ability to take ownership of your future and contribute to collective abundance.
Resilience: The ability to adapt to change and adversity without being being uprooted from what matters.
Strong ʻOhana: ʻOhana as a pillar of support through aloha, belonging, and resilience.
Thriving: CommunityOpportunities for individuals and ʻohana to contribute toward community-driven solutions.

Three Questions to Ask the Room
After the survey, you lead your group through these three questions. Write down what people say or record it as a voice note, then send it back with your follow-up form. What your group says is what shapes our plans for 2027.
- What is great about your community, and who or what makes it that way?
- What is ONE thing that would make life better here next year and why?
- What is something small this group could do next year to make Hawaiʻi Island more vibrant without waiting for anyoneʻs permission?
By submitting this application, I agree to the following:
I am 18 years of age or older.
I reside on Hawaiʻi Island.
I will ensure everyone at the gathering over the age of 15 takes the Vibrant Hawaiʻi Annual Survey on a digital device
I will lead the group through the conversation prompts provided.
I will follow @VibrantHawaii on social media platforms.
At the end of the gathering, I will complete the follow up and evaluation forms sent to me by the deadline.
I understand the grants comes in 2 parts: $150 up front and $100 after I submit the follow up form.
I give Vibrant Hawaiʻi permission to use quotes from the gathering in our reports and communications, and I will let me guests know.
I will share photos or video of my gathering on social media, tagging @VibrantHawaii and via email to contact@vibranthawaii.org.
If awarded, I understand that I am responsible for determining and satisfying any applicable tax obligations related to the award and should consult a tax advisor regarding my individual circumstances.
By participating in this activity/event, I agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Vibrant Hawaiʻi, its staff, volunteers, and partners from any and all liability, claims, or demands arising out of or related to my participation. I acknowledge that I are participating voluntarily and assume all risks associated with the activity.
By participating in this activity/event and submitting photos, videos, or other content, I grant Vibrant Hawaiʻi permission to use, reproduce, and share these materials for communication, storytelling, and public outreach purposes. This may include use across digital platforms, print materials, and other media channels as deemed appropriate by Vibrant Hawaiʻi. I understand that I/the participant may be identifiable in this content and consent to its use in sharing with the broader community.
Signature
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KōCreate: Makahiki Civic Grants

About You- The Host

About Your Gathering

How is Hawaiʻi Island Doing?- Vibrant Hawaiʻi Indicators

Three Questions to Ask the Room

By submitting this application, I agree to the following: