Alakaʻina Foundation, Bering Straits Sign Agreement

The Honolulu signing formalized a partnership between the Hawaiʻi nonprofit and an Alaska Native corporation.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy

Alakaʻina Foundation, Bering Straits Sign Agreement

The Alakaʻina Foundation and Bering Straits Native Corporation signed an agreement at a ceremony in Honolulu. Bering Straits also donated $50,000 to three Hawaiʻi organizations.

Why it matters

The partnership links a Hawaiʻi charitable trust with an Alaska Native corporation owned by more than 8,200 shareholders. The release did not explain the agreement's financial terms or structure.

Bering Straits Native Corporation donated $50,000 to the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, the Maui Economic Development Board, and Lunalilo Home. The release did not state how the $50,000 was divided among the three organizations or what financial terms governed the agreement.

The players

Alakaʻina Foundation

A Hawaiʻi nonprofit charitable trust that signed the agreement with Bering Straits Native Corporation.

Bering Straits Native Corporation

An Alaska Native corporation established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 and owned by more than 8,200 shareholders.

The details

The signing ceremony took place at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and was hosted by the Pauahi Foundation. The parties created Bering-Alakaʻina Holdings LLC, a new entity representing their shared mission, and the Alakaʻina Foundation presented Bering Straits with a feather lei named Kaʻalehoʻopili.

Alakaʻina Foundation was established as a Hawaiʻi charitable trust in 2026.
Bering Straits Native Corporation was established in 1971 under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
The signing ceremony took place in Honolulu on November 6, 2026.

Roadmap

Bering Straits Native Corporation was established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, which created regional Native corporations to hold land and capital. This Hawaiʻi agreement shows one such corporation extending its charitable work beyond Alaska.

The donation funds three Hawaiʻi organizations, including the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation and Lunalilo Home. The release did not say how the funds will be used or how the partnership will operate day to day.

The takeaway

Partnerships between Native corporations and local charitable trusts can extend regional philanthropy across state lines. Readers following similar agreements should watch for disclosed financial terms, which this release did not provide.