Nā Lei Aloha means “many lei of embracement.” The Foundation was created with the express intention of being a solid foundation that supports all life in the beautiful islands of Hawaii. Hawaii is famous for its beauty. For many people, it is a spiritual home, if not a physical home. In this way, the Nā Lei Aloha Foundation seeks to preserve the “aloha spirit” of the islands. Aloha means the love and embracement of warmth that lives inside each person. Through its grantmaking programs, the Foundation seeks to preserve this gift of aloha for all the people of the islands. Through preserving the ohana, or family values, of the people of Hawaii and the culture and diversity of Hawaii, we can better work towards a society of compassion and truth.

Shinnyo-en, the lay international Buddhist Order established this foundation with a keen sense of understanding and appreciation of the diversity and unique gifts that exist in Hawaii. The Order itself promotes the tenets of compassion, harmony and altruism. The Foundation is a grantmaking, supporting organization of Shinnyo-en Hawaii.

Nā Lei Aloha Foundation’s mission is to support the goals of Shinnyo-en Hawaii, to create a lei of aloha by embracing and connecting all people through fostering ohana values and nurturing harmonious relationships.

The goal of the Foundation is to build caring and healthy communities through promoting intergenerational relationships, encouraging leadership development in underprivileged communities, and acting as a convener and catalyst to create harmony among diverse people.