Honolulu, HI

POPOLO PROJECT INC

EIN 82-3614919

Arts, Culture & Heritage Cultural Heritage & Traditions Black communities

Mission

We redefine what it means to be Black in Hawai‘i by creating spaces, cultural learning opportunities, community gatherings, and original media that make the lives of Black people in Hawai‘i visible and connected to broader histories and cultures.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity Contributions are tax-deductible

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About POPOLO PROJECT INC

The Pōpolo Project (POPOLO PROJECT INC) is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the experiences of people of African descent in Hawaiʻi through cultural education, community convenings, and media production. The organization runs youth programs (Calabash Circle; Our Space), public events and gatherings, and produces original media — including a feature documentary — to document and amplify Black presence and histories in the islands. Since formal recognition as a tax-exempt organization in 2024 the Pōpolo Project has continued active programming, partnered with local cultural institutions, and served as an advisor on museum and civic projects to increase visibility and connection across communities.

Notable achievements

Feature documentary production

Produced (in development/production) 'Kamakakēhau: The Heart’s Desire,' a feature documentary following Hawaiian falsetto musician Kamakakēhau Fernandez that explores ties between Hawaiʻi and the African diaspora and is being used as a tool for community storytelling and engagement.

Signature public programming

Organized recurring public events including the Black Futures Ball (2024) and Juneteenth observances (2023) that convened artists, elders, and descendants to honor ancestors, foster cultural exchange, and raise the profile of Hawaiʻi’s Black community.

Museum advisory and cultural partnerships

Served as an advisor and contributor to museum programming (including advisory work for the Honolulu Museum of Art’s recent exhibition programming) and partnered with local funders and cultural institutions to integrate Black histories and perspectives into statewide cultural initiatives.

At a glance

Total assets: $2K
Annual revenue: $106K
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN: 82-3614919
Location: Honolulu, HI
Website: www.thepopoloproject.org
On Mahalo since: May 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization (IRS recognition in 2024) and listed in national nonprofit databases and profiles.

Featured in local media coverage (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Spectrum/Spectrum News Hawaii and other local outlets) for its community education work and public events in 2023–2024.

Acknowledged and engaged by cultural institutions and civic initiatives in Hawaiʻi for its role in documenting Black experience and advising on public cultural programming.

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