Kids In Need Foundation’s Initiative to Benefit Over 23,000 Students, 1,500 Teachers, and 40 Schools Across Hawai’i’s Most Remote Region

Roseville, MN – What does it take to ship more than 53,000 pounds of school supplies across an ocean to one of Hawai’i’s most remote regions? The Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) is about to find out.

As part of the organization’s new initiative, RISE: Rural and Indigenous School Equity program, school supplies valued at $500,000 donated by its generous partner Yoobi will be sent to 41 schools across three distinct Complex Areas on the Big Island. This donation will provide supplies and resources to nearly 23,000 students and 1,500 teachers for the start of the new school year.

Among the communities receiving supplies is Ka‘ū, the largest geographic district in the state, and home to Ka’ū High and Pāhala Elementary School. This small, rural school serves a resilient community that navigates challenges common to many rural communities across the United States and distinctive to a community situated on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The median household income in Ka‘ū is less than half the state average, and over 22% of residents live below the poverty line, according to a news release from the Island Insurance Foundation.

While the supplies are ready, the true challenge lies in transportation and logistics. The rising cost of shipping, coupled with the need for additional resources to overcome logistical hurdles, presents some significant obstacles.

“The climate, infrastructure, and environment of the Big Island present formidable transportation challenges. Road maintenance amidst unpredictable earthquakes, volcanic activity, and heavy rainfall often complicate commuting and commerce.” said Mike Grimm, Senior Logistics Manager for KINF. “Delivering large shipments directly to rural schools efficiently and in appropriate sizes for recipients is also a crucial consideration.”

Few transportation corridors along with a shortage of bus drivers result in long, often exhausting commutes of nearly an hour each way for the students in Ka’ū. This issue is widespread but especially pronounced in the huge, rural areas of the Big Island, contributing to higher absenteeism and accessing essential resources, such as school supplies.

In response, KINF, with the support of generous donors and partners, is working to raise $30,000 to facilitate the delivery of these school supplies to the Big Island schools. Through its partnership with Royal Hawaiian Shipping Company, KINF has developed a plan to ensure these supplies are delivered directly to schools and straight into the hands of teachers.

This is exactly the type of impact the organization hopes to achieve through its RISE program. RISE collaborates directly with communities to identify educational barriers, tailoring its efforts to address unique local needs and maximize impact. Using these insights, KINF provides essential supplies and creates equitable learning environments to support all students’ engagement and success.

Dana Larson, VP of Mission Impact and Experience at KINF, emphasizes the importance of this initiative, stating, “Supporting educators and students on Hawai’i Island through the Kids in Need Foundation ensures that every child has the tools to dream, learn, and grow. By providing essential school supplies and resources, we promote educational equity so that all students, regardless of their background, have the same opportunities to thrive.”

According to KINF’s Teacher Insight Survey, which gathered input from 8,441 teachers nationwide, providing the right supplies does more than just improve classroom performance. It also sparks creativity, boosts confidence, and fosters a genuine interest in learning among students. While educational statistics often dominate the conversation, the dignity of a child’s learning experience is crucial yet sometimes overlooked. The social-emotional aspects of education—key in shaping students’ futures and influencing teachers’ professional growth—are central to these insights.

Jason Schafer, District Education Specialist for Family & Community Engagement in the Ka’ū-Kea’au-Pāhoa Complex Area, emphasizes the transformative impact of having necessary supplies. He explains, “Knowing that a student can walk into their classroom and have the supplies they need can be a huge relief. With relief, student’s can regulate their brains, building confidence and success.”

Schafer continues, “It’s that social/emotional lens of school that sometimes gets lost in the logistics, numbers, and data. Some of the stress that they bring with them each day—part of it, not all of it, but part of it—can be alleviated simply by having those materials in hand.”

Complex Area Superintendent, Stacey Bello states, “We are appreciative of the support and partnership KINF and Yoobi provide. Not only were they able to support our Ka’ū-Kea’au-Pāhoa schools, they were also able to support our students and families island wide.”

KINF invites individuals, businesses, and organizations to join in their efforts to support educational equity through the RISE Program. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of students and educators in some of the nation’s most underserved communities. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.kinf.org