All donations are 100% tax deductible!
Welcome
Build a Brighter Future Together
Join the TAHIRIH ASSOCIATION in our mission to create lasting social change in our world.
HISTORY & PROGRAMS
The Tahirih Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization administered by a Board of Directors and Advisors. Our mission is to support girls and women around the world by providing on-site and online programs that uplift, empower, and motivate them for personal transformation and excellence. Founded in 2000 to promote the vision of Tahirih (1815-1852), one of the earliest women in the struggle for human rights and equality. As a transformational leader Tahirih promoted equality of all people; fostered social well-being, harmony, world unity, and universal brotherhood. Tahirih’s courage, commitment to justice, and sacrifice remain an inspiration to all.
OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
BEYOND BARS REENTRY Project
This innovative program offers A 25-module Personal Development Curriculum that addresses social and cultural determinants for women released from prison. This gender-responsive approach acknowledges the unique pathways into, and out of, the criminal justice system for women.
Hoʻokele Workforce Futures is a youth workforce development initiative located in Hawaiʻi that is a place-based + culturally grounded. It includes rotational exposure to key Hawaiʻi industries such as:
- Rotational exposure to key Hawaiʻi industries:
- Healthcare
- Renewable energy
- Construction & skilled trades
- Tourism (reimagined with sustainability)
- Agriculture & food systems
- Technology & cybersecurity
TEACHA A GIRL, CHANGE THE WORLD Scholarship Program
Aawarded to girls and women who are agents of change in their communities. Each has demonstrated excellence and achievements in artistic expression, technology, or science. We have awarded 22 scholarships to girls and women ages 12-74 who have proven themselves agents of change in their communities. Because women are the first educators of children it is incumbent that girls are given priority in education should families not be able to educate all children. It is the mother that will teach her children to read, write, and communicate, thereby elevating the society from a grass-roots level.
Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua Hula Program for Healing, Legacy, and Preserving Culture
This Hula Hālau embodies the principle of aloha 'āina—love and respect for the land and people of Hawai'i. Training and performances reflect the inseparable connection between Hawaiian language and dance to fulfill the foundation's mission to celebrate Hawaiian cultural traditions and share the cultural expertise that exists in Hawai’i.
LIGHT OF AFRICA Social and Economic Empowerment Project, Mamelodi Township, Tshwane, South Africa
This public-private partnership is a social and economic development project offers:
· Hygiene products
· Food distribution to elders, and safe houses to women and children experiencing domestic violence
· Food sustainability through garden program
· Domestic Violence safe house
BEYOND BARS Reentry Project
BEYOND BARS Reentry Project
The Tahirih Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization administered by a Board of Directors and Advisors.
Our mission is to support girls and women around the world by providing on-site and online programs that uplift, empower, and motivate them for personal transformation and excellence.
Founded in 2000 to promote the vision of Tahirih (1815-1852), one of the earliest women in the struggle for human rights and equality. As a transformational leader Tahirih promoted equality of all people; fostered social well-being, harmony, world unity, and universal brotherhood. Tahirih’s courage, commitment to justice, and sacrifice remain an inspiration to all.
OUR PROGRAMS:
BEYOND BARS REENTRY Project
This innovative program offers A 25-module Personal Development Curriculum that addresses social and cultural determinants for women released from prison. This gender-responsive approach acknowledges the unique pathways into, and out of, the criminal justice system for women.
HOʻOKELE WORKFORCE FUTURES Youth Workforce Development Initiative
Hawaiʻi place-based and culturally grounded iitiative rotational exposure for ages 16-24 to key Hawaiʻi industries such as:
- Rotational exposure to key Hawaiʻi industries:
- Healthcare
- Renewable energy
- Construction & skilled trades
- Tourism (reimagined with sustainability)
- Agriculture & food systems
- Technology & cybersecurity
TEACH A GIRL, CHANGE THE WORLD Scholarships
Since 2000, we have awarded 22 scholarships to girls and women ages 12-74 who have proven themselves agents of change in their communities. Because women are the first educators of children it is incumbent that girls are given priority in education should families not be able to educate all children. It is the mother that will teach her children to read, write, and communicate, thereby elevating the society from a grass-roots level.
Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua Hula Program for Healing, Legacy, and Preserving Culture
This Hula hālau embodies the principle of aloha 'āina—love and respect for the land and people of Hawai'i. Training and performances reflect the inseparable connection between Hawaiian language and dance to fulfill the foundation's mission to celebrate Hawaiian cultural traditions and share the cultural expertise that exists in Hawai’i.
Light of Africa - Mamelodi Township,
South Africa
This public-private partnership is a social and economic development project offers:
· Hygiene products
· Food distribution to elders, and safe houses to women and children experiencing domestic violence
· Food sustainability through garden program
· Domestic Violence safe house
Hoʻokele Workforce Futures
In Hawaiian Olelo means "wayfinding, leadership, and agency"
Hoʻokele Workforce Futures is a youth workforce development program in Hawaiʻi that is a place-based + culturally grounded.
The program starts with identity, not employment.
- Rooted in ʻāina (land), ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge), and kuleana (responsibility)
- Integrates Hawaiian values alongside modern skills
- Includes ʻike from Native Hawaiian leaders, not just institutional curriculum
- Builds confidence through belonging before career exposure
What this looks like in practice:
- Students work in loʻi (taro patches), fishpond restoration, or conservation projects
- Cultural practitioners co-teach alongside career mentors
- Hawaiian language and values embedded in daily structure, not treated as add-ons
This is what makes engagement real, especially for local youth.
Life Skills + Financial Capability
This is non-negotiable in Hawaiʻi.
- Financial literacy (cost of living, saving, credit)
- Housing awareness (realistic pathways to staying in Hawaiʻi)
- Communication, conflict resolution, professionalism
- Digital literacy + AI awareness
Without this, even employed youth struggle to remain stable locally.
Priority Populations (Equity by Design)
Programs must intentionally serve:
- Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth
- Rural and neighbor island communities
- Justice-involved youth
- Youth not on a college track
Our Design principle:
Not “extra support” as an add-on, but built into the core model.
What Success Actually Looks Like
Not just job placement. Our track include:
- Retention in Hawaiʻi workforce (reducing brain drain)
- Wage progression over time
- Cultural engagement and identity strength
- Employer satisfaction and repeat hiring
What Makes Hawaiʻi Unique (and Non-Negotiable)
A program here must solve for:
- High cost of living
- Geographic isolation
- Cultural preservation alongside economic mobility
- The tension between tourism economy and local sustainability
Core elements:
- Rotational exposure to key Hawaiʻi industries:
- Healthcare
- Renewable energy
- Construction & skilled trades
- Tourism (reimagined with sustainability)
- Agriculture & food systems
- Technology & cybersecurity
Hands-on, not lecture-based (build, visit, try)
Youth see real people in real jobs across the islands, not abstract career lists.
Pathways
Hawaiʻi needs clear, paid pathways.
- Skilled trades (electric, carpentry, plumbing)
- Healthcare (CNA → RN pathways)
- Clean energy (solar, grid tech)
- Hospitality leadership (not just entry-level service)
- Entrepreneurship (local business, digital, cultural enterprises)
Must include:
- Paid internships or stipends (cost of living is real in Hawaiʻi)
- Dual credit with schools + University of Hawaiʻi system
- Industry-recognized certifications before graduation
Mentorship isn’t optional. It is structural.
Programs succeed or fail based on relationships.
- Each student paired with:
- A career mentor
- A cultural/community mentor (kupuna or local leader)
Peer cohort model to build belonging
"TEACH A GIRL, CHANGE THE WORLD" Scholarship Program
Your donation helps support our organization's mission to advance equity to secure strong futures for women and girls around the world. Why? Because every girl deserves the chance to learn, grow, and realize her fullest potential. But in too many parts of the world, girls face unimaginable obstacles just to access education. At Tahirih Association, we believe that educating a girl can truly change the world one empowered young woman at a time. We invite you to join us in building a brighter future for girls everywhere.
Why This Matters
When a girl receives an education, she gains more than knowledge she gains the power t o shape her life, influence her community, and even uplift her nation. Educated girls are less likely t o marry young, more likely to advocate for their rights, and have healthier families. But for many girls, cultural barriers, economic challenges, a n d safety concerns stand in the way of accessing this fundamental right.
Your Impact
Every dollar you give is an investment in a girl's future - and in the future of our world. Together, we can break down barriers and open doors t o opportunities that will empower girls to become leaders, innovators, and changemakers. When you teach a girl you truly change the world.
How You Can Make a Difference
With your help, we can create lasting change for girls around the globe. Your contribution will directly support initiatives that provide safe learning environments, scholarships, and mentorship programs for young women eager to transform their future.
Our Programs
From providing education to supporting health care initiatives, Tahirih Association offers a range of programs to support communities in need. Learn more about our work.
Donate
Your contribution can make a big difference in the lives of those we serve. Donate today to help support our mission of empowering girls and women, and vulnerable communities.
Our Impact
Here's how your generosity helps:
• Provide a young girl with school supplies for a full year
• E n s u r e s afe transportation to and from school
• Fund a semester of tuition f o r a girl at risk of dropping out
• Support a mentorship program, connecting girls with inspiring role models
• Sponsor a year of education, empowering a girl to break free from poverty a n d achieve her
dreams
Our Educate A Girl, Change The World Scholarship Program has awarded 22 scholarships to girls and women ages 12-74 who have proven themselves agents of change in their communities. They are located in six countries: · Lakota/Oglala Nation (1) · Liberia (10) · Honduras (1) · Namibia (1) · South Africa (1) · United States (8)
Contact Us
Have a question or want to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible tahiriassocation@gmail.com or (808) 286-2313.
Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua
Honoring Legacy, Preserving Culture
Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua stands as a vibrant center of Hawaiian cultural preservation, where the sacred art of hula is taught, practiced, and shared with deep reverence for tradition. Under the guidance of Kumu Hula Charlani Kalama, this hālau carries forward a legacy that spans generations, rooted in the wisdom of her mother and the rich cultural heritage of Windward O'ahu.
Students, 'Ohana, and Alumni
The strength of Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua lies not only in its kumu but in its devoted students, supportive mākua (parents), and loyal alumni who return to support their hālau family. This sense of 'ohana—family—creates a nurturing environment where cultural knowledge is passed down with care and students learn that hula is more than performance; it is a responsibility to honor those who came before and protect what will be passed to future generations.
Aloha 'Āina: Dancing for the Future
Under Kumu Charlani's leadership, the hālau embodies the principle of aloha 'āina—love and respect for the land and people of Hawai'i. Kumu Charlani, who describes herself as "an alien in my own country," leads her students with the understanding that their work is an act of cultural resistance and preservation. "I will stand for my aina for the future of our children, openness yet to be born," she declares, "that this aina belongs and will always be within our people of Hawaii."
Through every performance, every protocol observed, and every student taught, Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua ensures that the heartbeat of Hawaiian culture continues to pulse strong and true.
A Living Tradition
Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua represents more than a school of dance—it is a sanctuary where Hawaiian language, music, history, and values are woven together through the sacred practice of hula. By honoring the protocols taught by previous generations and maintaining deep connections to community and 'āina, the hālau serves as a beacon of cultural integrity and hope for all who seek to keep Hawaiian traditions alive and thriving.
A Presence in the Community
Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua has become a cherished presence throughout O'ahu, sharing the beauty of hula at diverse community events.
The hālau has been featured in:
- Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Celebrations: The hālau's Hula Academy entertained a full house at Ola Ka ʻĪ, kicking off Hawaiian Language Month with performances that celebrated the inseparable connection between Hawaiian language and dance.
- "I Love Hula in Kailua" Series: This popular monthly program, sponsored by the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, brings free hula performances to the heart of Kailua Town. The hālau's participation in this series helps fulfill the foundation's mission to celebrate Hawaiian cultural traditions and share the cultural expertise that exists within the Windward community.
- Shine A Light for Caregivers: The hālau has performed at this annual celebration, which raises awareness for caregivers who often become isolated and withdrawn. Through their performances, the hālau helps "shine a light" to show caregivers they are seen, appreciated, and supported.
- "Journey to Emalani": The hālau has been part of PBS Hawai'i presentations, including programs that commemorate Queen Emma's historic 1871 visit to the upland forests of West Kaua'i, sharing these cultural narratives with broader audiences.
Students, 'Ohana, and Alumni
The strength of Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua lies not only in its kumu but in its devoted students, supportive mākua (parents), and loyal alumni who return to support their hālau family. This sense of 'ohana—family—creates a nurturing environment where cultural knowledge is passed down with care and students learn that hula is more than performance; it is a responsibility to honor those who came before and protect what will be passed to future generations.
Foundations of Respect and Protocol
Kumu Hula Charlani Kalama embodies Hawaiian culture and is the heart of the hālau's practice and the principles passed down from Kumu Charlani's mother: when a songwriter is alive, it is only proper to seek their mana'o (thoughts and intentions) as well as permission before performing their work. This practice ensures that each hula carries the authentic spirit and meaning intended by its creator. It is through this respectful approach that "your song comes to life in our halau," as Kumu Charlani explains—honoring not just the mechanics of movement, but the living essence of Hawaiian artistic expression.
A Name Rooted in Legacy
The hālau's name itself tells a story of lineage and place. "Kekau'ilani" honors Kumu Charlani's mother, Elizabeth Kekau'ilaniKaai'akawaha Ako Correa Kalama, known affectionately as Aunty Nana or Lani Kalama, who was herself a respected Kumu Hula. "Na Pua Hala O Kailua"—the pandanus flowers of Kailua—connects the hālau to the beloved Windward O'ahu community where it was born and continues to thrive. This name embodies both familial devotion and deep connection to 'āina (land).
Aloha 'Āina: Dancing for the Future
Under Kumu Charlani's leadership, the hālau embodies the principle of aloha 'āina—love and respect for the land and people of Hawai'i. Kumu Charlani, who describes herself as "an alien in my own country," leads her students with the understanding that their work is an act of cultural resistance and preservation. "I will stand for my aina for the future of our children, openness yet to be born," she declares, "that this aina belongs and will always be within our people of Hawaii."
Through every performance, every protocol observed, and every student taught, Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua ensures that the heartbeat of Hawaiian culture continues to pulse strong and true.
A Living Tradition
Hālau Ha'a Hula 'O Kekau'ilani Na Pua Hala O Kailua represents more than a school of dance—it is a sanctuary where Hawaiian language, music, history, and values are woven together through the sacred practice of hula. By honoring the protocols taught by previous generations and maintaining deep connections to community and 'āina, the hālau serves as a beacon of cultural integrity and hope for all who seek to keep Hawaiian traditions alive and thriving.
LIGHT OF AFRICA Social & Economic Development Program
The Light of Africa (established 1996) offers life skills program to youth in both Pretoria (Mamelodi Township) and Bela Bela (Warmbaths Township). They have consistently offered critically needed programs that serves these impoverished communities in South Africa. Superspar Bela Bela and Startspoort have partner with Light Of Africa to d
The Light of Africa (established 1996) offers life skills program to youth in both Pretoria (Mamelodi Township) and Bela Bela (Warmbaths Township). They have consistently offered critically needed programs that serves these impoverished communities in South Africa. Superspar Bela Bela and Startspoort have partner with Light Of Africa to distribute bread
and other foodto needy families. The Rutangwana Creche and the Kemoja program are day care centers for vulnerable children. Collaborating with government, business, and social groups, the Light of Africa fights poverty through with their programs for community development, job creation, food security, recycling, gender issues, and violence against women.
Educate A Girl, Change The World Scholarship PROGRAM
Support the Tahirih Association. 100% tax deductible in US.
$0.00
For 83 cents a day you can help educate a worthy education candidate. Contribute once a month $25 or more!
The Tahirih Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization administered by a Board of Directors and Advisors.
Contributions support a wide variety of educational programs with emphasis on art and science programs.
The Tahirih Association grants educational scholarships to women, youth, and individuals around the world who demonstrate excellence in artistic expression, technology and science. Scholarships are awarded annually with priority given to female applicants. Scholarships may also be granted in co-sponsorship with other educational institutions, social and economic development programs, or religious institutions.
The Tahirih Association produces educational materials related to the life of Tahirih, women’s history, and information about the ongoing struggle for universal human rights.
Support Tahirih Association
Help us make a difference by making a donation to Tahirih Association. Earmark where you money to go and we'll make it happen. Every contribution counts!
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