The Castle Foundation is mainly concerned, by charter, with long-term investments in early learning, well-prepared teachers, assistance to infant-toddler providers, robust and high-quality private preschools, and universal access to early education, public or private, for children 0-5. However, sudden community emergencies occur, as do extraordinary individual and family emergencies, and we try to respond effectively.

      In the 2023 fire in Lahaina, Maui, we asked the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund to receive and manage our emergency funding. This Fund combines funding for many other effective organizations working with immediate relief for those impacted by the disaster and focuses on the well-being of families with young children. Using trauma-informed care, the Hawaii Community Foundation is concentrating our funds on maternal and pediatric mental and physical health and restoring Lahaina’s early care and preschool capacity. Our original investment of $100,000 was made two days after the start of the fast-moving fire, and we anticipate providing more funds as needed by the end of 2026.

     In 2026, the Castle Foundation will provide substantial additional investments in league with the Hawaii Community Foundation’s programs for Lahaina recovery. This combined effort will ensure we have access to a large and experienced staff and opportunities to realize management savings. In addition, the HCF allows the Castle Foundation to have our financial investments in West Maui matched by other donors.
     The emphasis in 2026 is to restore as much of the early education, learning and pediatric health opportunities for children and families in West Maui. This strategic move from immediate relief to longer-term recovery will likely continue for several years. In addition to education, the Castle Foundation will support mental health and trauma-informed care efforts to assist Keiki in regaining safe and healthy grounding. The trustees intend to provide additional investments in early education and care for West Maui in 2026 as needed.

     In 2026, as part of the Castle Foundation’s continuing commitment to provide continuity to our Lahaina recovery efforts, the trustees will provide modest tuition support for Maui preschools.
     Finally, the Castle Foundation, as exigent needs occur, provides emergency funds to maintain community and family stability which arise. We use several agencies that specialize in support for mitigating hunger, such as the Hawaii Foodbank, the Hawaii Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Institute for Human Services.