ʻO Kaʻū Kākou in Hawaiian means, we are Kaʻū; the southernmost district on Hawai‘i Island. Kaʻū encompasses a 922-square-mile area that stretches from Volcano to the old fishing village of Miloliʻi. This includes Ka Lae, aka South Point, the most southern point in the United States and where it's believed that the first Polynesians landed.

 

In the early days, sugar cane plantations were the primary source of employment in rural Kaʻū. In the late 90's the industry and its jobs exited the U.S. for cheaper labor in other countries. Macadamia nut and coffee farms are the primary crops as Kaʻū retains it's rural charm today.

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ʻO Kaʻū Kākou (OKK) is a 100 percent volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our charitable goals are to promote a healthy community through education, culture, and economic opportunity. Formed in 2006, OKK raises money through individual donations, grants and on-going fundraisers such as the Annual Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run.

 

All donations go directly back into the community. We believe in financial transparency. Funding goes directly to local scholarships, land for a proposed senior housing project and health initiatives, purchase of life-saving equipment for Kaʻū Hospital, restoration and maintenance of seven historical  cemeteries, sponsorship of free Veterans Day, 4th of July Parade & ‘ohana events. We often partner with other community groups to support the community's needs.