Written by David Pate, Cornerstone Fund Loan Portfolio Assistant.
Reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel and is a value close to the United Church of Christ’s heart. It was from this that the UCC started the Redress and Reconciliation Initiative—an apology for the UCC’s ancestral denomination’s complicity in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Government. In the early 19th century, Congregational Churches who would later go on to help form the UCC, sent missionaries to Hawaii to plant churches and spread literacy.
While the overthrow was not formally planned or executed by these missionaries, they helped set the stage for it by introducing western legal systems, private land ownership, and aligning their cultural and political alignment with US interests.
Nearly a century and a half after the overthrow, the dwindling native populations continue to see their culture and land washed away. Today, private landownership deeply restricts native access to the resources that once sustained their ancestors.
In a direct response to this and the other consequences of the ancestral compliance with the overthrow, the UCC made a formal statement of apology for its complicity in 1993—but did not stop at words. In 1996, The Pūʻā Foundation was created out of the UCC’s Apology, Redress, &and Reconciliation Initiative.
The Pūʻā Foundation addresses the root causes of social issues and helps promote cultural preservation and resilience. Their work includes reconnecting families with traditional Hawaiian produce, medicinal plants and agricultural practices, as well as programs aimed at increasing economic self-sufficiency for Native Hawaiian women and families, preserving Native Hawaiian culture through educational programs, community workshops, and cultural events. The Pūʻā Foundation is a strong advocate addressing systemic inequalities and promoting policies that benefit Native Hawaiians and other marginalized groups.
When, in 2024, The Pūʻā Foundation reached out to the Cornerstone Fund for help to acquire and improve property for agricultural activities related to its stewardship of Punahoa Heritage Forest, it was not only a privilege but a duty to step in and answer the call. Lending $500,000.00, the Cornerstone Fund has helped The Pūʻā Foundation expand its impact and reach allowing it to continue to allow Hawaiians to learn about their heritage and experience culturally rejuvenating gatherings.
The UCC and Cornerstone Fund understand that reconciliation is not a one-time obligation, but an ongoing commitment to support a community’s advancement. We are proud of our partnership with The Pūʻā Foundation and their commitment to justice. The Cornerstone Fund looks forward to the completed project and seeing the amazing impact to come from it.
