Luncheon RE-CAP April 2025 : Alex Harris from Harold K. Castle Foundation

Our featured speaker Alex Harris from Harold K. Castle Foundation provided a very engaging discussion on the update status of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation as they announce a new leadership change Effective July 1. His perspective provided KBG members with great insight on some of the new directions being taking on by the new leadership. While still holding on to the core values of the foundation’s principles. They commitment to: youth advancement, nonprofits, and education and how the process plans to plays out. We thank him for his contributions to keeping the community elevated and our membership informed. Such a very positive Q&A and casual discussion afterwards from so many members. Thanks to all who contributed and organized this luncheon at Ka Waiwai Collective, Kaneohe.

Founded in 1962, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation works to build resources for Hawaii’s future. We do so by investing in promising initiatives and organizations through grant making, using our convening power, and introducing and spreading new ideas and approaches to help solve some of Hawaii’s most pressing problems. Our 2017 Mission and Strategies:

(1) to close the achievement gap in public education so that all of Hawaii’s children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, have access to and benefit from high-quality education, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, that prepares them for a successful future;

(2) to restore Hawaii’s nearshore marine life populations so that future generations can benefit and learn from this rich natural resource;

(3) to build on the strengths of Windward Oahu communities through investments that support the region’s rich cultural legacy, its youth and families, and its natural resources; and

(4) to support a limited number of other unforeseen but compelling opportunities to make a big difference in Hawaii’s future.

We achieve this mission through grants, which we see as investments—investments in ambitious, creative initiatives that deliver results by clearly making Hawaii a better place for its children, communities, and environment. Money for those grants comes from the Foundation’s endowment, which is managed carefully to ensure that the Foundation can serve as a resource for Hawaii’s future generations. Harold K.L. Castle, owner of Kaneohe Ranch and grandson of one of the early missionary families to Hawaii, established his foundation in 1962, providing much of his wealth to fund the organization.

RESOURCES FOR REVIEW:

Here are a couple of items we discussed: