Nonprofit Spotlight: Nā Kama Kai

Oʻahu Business Journal | Nonprofit Business Profile

At a Glance

• Founded: 2008, by professional surfer Duane DeSoto
• Name meaning: "Children of the Sea"
• Headquarters: Hālau Nā Kama Kai, Pōkaʻī Bay, Waiʻanae, Oʻahu — a 1.25-acre beachfront property at the Pilila'au Army Recreation Center
• Legal status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit
• FY2023 total revenue: $1,209,131, against $879,093 in total expenses and $679,373 in net assets
• CEO: Duane DeSoto, Founder & Chief Executive Officer
• Motto: "Keiki Aloha, Kai Aloha" — "Beloved Child, Beloved Sea"

Organizational Overview

Nā Kama Kai was founded in 2008 by professional surfer Duane DeSoto, who grew up at Mākaha Beach and wanted to give children throughout Hawaiʻi — and eventually the world — the same safe, ocean-centered upbringing he experienced. What began as a small effort to teach kids ocean safety, conservation, and stewardship has grown into a statewide organization built around a simple belief: connecting keiki to the ocean not only helps prevent drownings, but also creates a lasting bond between the next generation and the sea that will ensure it's cared for in the future.

The organization's mission is "to empower children by connecting our keiki to the kai and ʻāina to nurture a deeper sense of aloha and kuleana for the natural environment and themselves". That mission is carried out through a mix of hands-on ocean programming, Hawaiian cultural education, and community mentorship, all offered free of charge to keep programs accessible to families across every part of Oʻahu.

Business Model and Finances

As a 501(c)(3), Nā Kama Kai relies on a combination of individual contributions, fundraising events, corporate sponsorships, and program-service revenue rather than admissions or fees, since all of its clinics and camps are free for participating families. According to the organization's most recently filed Form 990, for the fiscal year ending in 2023:

• Total revenue: $1,209,131, up sharply from prior years as the organization scaled its programming and donor base
• Total expenses: $879,093
• Net assets/fund balances: $679,373
• Executive compensation: Founder and CEO Duane DeSoto received $110,000 in reportable compensation

That growth trajectory reflects an organization that has significantly expanded its footprint in recent years — adding an after-school program at Hālau Nā Kama Kai, a summer program on the Waiʻanae Coast, and school-based partnerships — while still operating on a comparatively lean budget relative to its community reach. The organization also raises funds through its annual Paʻakai Awards gala, which brings together title sponsors and community partners to support its programs.

Leadership

Nā Kama Kai is led by founder and CEO Duane DeSoto, a father of eight and longtime professional surfer who has represented Hawaiʻi in international longboard competitions while building the organization from a single beach clinic into a statewide program. He is supported by a Board of Directors chaired by Daniel Ikaika Ito, with Billy Pratt as Vice Chair, Ben Komer as Treasurer, and Lāiana Kanoa-Wong as Secretary, alongside board members Chris Hochuli, Bud Antonelis, Anita Lopez, Adam Wong, Cameron Nekota, Shelee Kimura, and Cord Anderson. A Board of Advisors — including architect Rob Iopa, Dr. Mālia Kaʻaihue, waterman Brian Keaulana, and ocean safety specialist Pōhaku Stone — provides additional guidance. Day-to-day operations are run by Chief Operations Officer Matt Kauwe, alongside a team of ocean clinic coordinators, lifeguards, and cultural advisors.

Programs and Community Role

Nā Kama Kai's programming centers on getting keiki into the water safely while grounding that experience in Hawaiian culture:

• Ocean Safety & Conservation Awareness Clinics: Free monthly clinics held around Oʻahu and on neighbor islands for keiki ages 2–17, combining swimming, canoe paddling, stand-up paddling, and surfing with ocean safety and stewardship education.
• Hālau Nā Kama Kai after-school and summer programs: Based at the organization's Pōkaʻī Bay headquarters, these programs serve keiki ages 7–17 in the Waiʻanae area with a safe, consistent gathering place, tutoring support, free daily meals, and ocean mentorship in swimming, surfing, and paddling.
• E Ola Waiʻanae Summer Program: A newer free summer program run in partnership with Mālama Learning Center, building on the organization's Kauwela Kai program to combine ocean safety and lifeguarding skills with weekly service-learning excursions to mauka (mountain) areas.
• Alakaʻi Teen Mentorship Program: A leadership development track serving roughly 20 youth per year, teaching traditional Hawaiian ocean practices and including cultural exchanges with communities in places like Tahiti and Brazil.
• Non-profit governance and compliance: The organization publishes its Form 990 filings and follows a formal financial review process, with its Executive Director's tax filing reviewed by the Finance Committee and accepted by the Board of Trustees before submission to the IRS.

Why It Matters for Oʻahu's Economy and Community

Based on the Waiʻanae Coast — an area with a high concentration of Native Hawaiian households and comparatively limited access to public pools — Nā Kama Kai fills a critical water-safety gap for local families while creating year-round jobs and volunteer opportunities for lifeguards, watermen, cultural practitioners, and program coordinators. Its growing roster of corporate sponsors and community partners, showcased annually at its Paʻakai Awards, also reflects its expanding role as a connector between Oʻahu's business community and grassroots ocean education.

Contact Information

• Address: Hālau Nā Kama Kai, Pōkaʻī Bay, Waiʻanae, HI
• Website: nakamakai.org
• Email: info@nakamakai.org

This profile is part of Oʻahu Business Journal's ongoing nonprofit spotlight series highlighting the organizations shaping Oʻahu's civic and cultural landscape.