PUAKO, HAWAI‘I — Puakō for Reefs has been awarded funding through the 2026 Water and Environment Grant Program of the American Water Charitable Foundation, supporting efforts to raise awareness and catalyze action among coastal communities across Hawai’I about the severe damage to nearshore fisheries and coral reefs caused by wastewater from cesspools and inadequate septic systems.

“We are deeply grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation for recognizing the urgent connection between wastewater infrastructure and reef health,” said Puakō for Reefs President Karen Anderson. “For coastal communities like Puakō, protecting coral reefs and nearshore fisheries is not just an environmental issue — it is about preserving culture, food systems, local economies, and a way of life. This support represents an investment in coral reef protection, and in community-based mālama ʻāina and the future health of Hawai‘i’s coastal ecosystems.”

The grant is part of the Foundation’s national “Keep Communities Flowing” initiative, which funds community-based projects focused on clean water, watershed protection, conservation, environmental education, and climate resilience. In 2026, the Foundation awarded more than $1.5 million to environmental organizations across the country, including projects in Hawai‘i.

“The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to invest in organizations and programs that focus on clean water, conservation, environmental education, climate variability, and water-based recreation,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. “We take pride in furthering American Water’s ongoing commitment to being a good neighbor and trusted partner in the community.”

Puakō for Reefs is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to the protection and restoration of the South Kohala coastline and the reef systems surrounding Puakō. The organization works to support reef health, strengthen community stewardship, and preserve the ecological and cultural resources that make Hawai‘i’s coastal environments unique.

The American Water Charitable Foundation, established by American Water — the nation’s largest regulated water and wastewater utility company — supports projects that strengthen communities and protect water resources across the United States. The Foundation’s Water and Environment Grant Program funds initiatives that improve, restore, or protect watersheds and water ecosystems while expanding environmental education and conservation efforts.

For more information about Puakō for Reefs, contact us here.