About Us
The Kūpaʻa Network
The Kūpaʻa Network (Kūpaʻa) is a nonprofit organization focused on developing and implementing digital tools to accelerate improvement across Hawaiʻi. In ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, kūpaʻa means “steadfast, firm, constant, unwavering and determined,” which embodies our commitment to addressing Hawaiʻi’s most pressing issues.
Our mission is to increase civic engagement through new, innovative tools, programs and platforms.
Our vision is a Hawaiʻi where every community member is informed and has the autonomy to create a positive and hopeful future.
Our Values
We center Hawai‘i.
- Our programs and services have the people of Hawaiʻi at the center.
- We are steadfast in our commitment to the understanding that the health of culture, community and individuals is inseparable from the health of the Earth’s life cycle. It is our responsibility to contribute with a sense of care for Hawaiʻi and for each other so that people and place thrive together as one.
We exist for community benefit.
- We equip community members with information and tools so that they can bring about meaningful social and environmental change.
- Our collaborative approach honors Hawaiʻi’s Native Hawaiian history and culture and incubates progressive innovations that authentically serve our communities, not specialized interests.
We are innovative.
- Our work is informed by the knowledge of those who came before us.
- We have the courage to try new things and test their efficacy responsibly.
We have integrity.
- We communicate openly and honestly about our work and impact, building trust through transparency.
- We show kindness, respect and humility to those we interact with. Our actions are honest, authentic and transparent.
We are inclusive.
- Our organization is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in our work and internal operations. We strive to create opportunities for meaningful participation across all communities.
- We believe in the capabilities of all people to create change.
Our Programs
Journalism
We are building an editorially independent, digital journalism program that is committed to serving Hawai‘i’s people and places by exploring the systems and solutions behind our most pressing issues.
We want to report for Hawai‘i’s diverse and complex communities, not only about them. We believe this work begins with deep listening and relationship building, so we are spending these early months talking with community members statewide to better understand the different issues and dynamics impacting them and what they want from a new local journalism organization. Our goal is to connect with a variety of community members one-to-one, in small groups and through our digital survey. We’ll use what we learn to shape our coverage and how we should operate as a journalism organization.
To connect with our team, email Editor Noelle Fujii-Oride at noelle@kupaahawaii.org.
Read our Editorial Independence and Donor and Financial Transparency Policy
Editorial Independence and Donor and Financial Transparency Policy
We serve our community by reporting news accurately and honestly. We believe that editorial independence and transparency are integral to earning and maintaining the public’s trust.
Editorial Independence
- The Editor retains full authority over editorial content. Non-journalism staff, board members, supporters and community members may suggest story ideas, but the Editor and her journalists decide whether and how to cover them.
- We maintain a strict firewall between coverage decisions and revenue sources. We do not allow pre-publication review or influence of editorial content by funders, supporters or non-journalism staff.
- Our journalists prioritize the public’s interest when deciding what stories to cover and how to tell them. We do not promise specific outcomes of our reporting or accept directed conclusions from funders.
- We prefer funding for the general support of our activities and we have a review process to determine whether to accept and how to handle funds for limited purposes, such as coverage of specific topics.
- Our journalists do not actively cultivate financial relationships with major donors or corporate sponsors.
- The Journalism Program is an editorially independent program of The Kūpa‘a Network, and organizations who participate in The Kūpa‘a Network’s other programs do not receive preferential treatment.
Transparency
- We disclose donors who give $5,000 or more per year and note them in articles where they are subjects.
- We may accept anonymous donations only for general support and will carefully evaluate these donations against our ethical standards.
- We clearly label sponsored, underwritten and advertising content, and this type of content is not produced by our journalists.
- We will publish our ethics policies, mission statements, conflict of interest policies and federal tax returns on our website as applicable.
Communications with Funders
- We inform funders of our mission and values, emphasizing that support for independent media differs from public relations and advocacy.
- When civic or community engagement is part of a grant, we agree on what it consists of in advance with funders.
- We initiate conversations about journalism we wish to produce when possible, focusing on areas already in our portfolio or planned beats/projects.
Financial Policies
- As a 501(c)(3) organization, we abide by all IRS regulations.
- We do not accept funding that compromises our independence, integrity, ethics or mission.
- We avoid accepting donations from political parties, elected officials or candidates seeking public office.
- We do not accept advertising that encourages or discourages voting for specific candidates or ballot proposals.
This policy was inspired by those of the Institute for Nonprofit News and American Press Institute’s guiding principles for nonprofit newsrooms and funders of nonprofit media.
Consulting
To inquire, email Executive Director Mea Aloha Spady at mea@kupaahawaii.org.
Our Leadership
Mea Aloha Spady
Executive Director, The Kūpaʻa Network
Mea was born and raised in the moku of Koʻolauloa on Oʻahu. A descendant of Kānaka Maoli from Hawaiʻi Island, Atlantic Ocean sailors, and Japanese immigrants, her life has been informed by a sense of inclusive community and a commitment to service. She started volunteering in the community when she was nine years old and has served nonprofits locally, nationally, and internationally with a focus on human rights and disaster response. With a background in psychology and peace and conflict resolution, as well as in marketing and communications, Mea is devoted to building connections in the community for positive impact.
