Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Cultural & Educational Ctr

Nonprofit profile at a glance

EIN
680530092
IRS 990 coverage
2017–2024
Forms available
Form 990 2024, Form 990-N 2016
Location
Hilo, HI, USA
Phone
8085574540
Rating
70
Verdict
SUPPORTED
Rating confidence
Moderate
Sector
Arts, Cultural Organizations - Multipurpose

Reported finances

Revenue
$57,080
Expenses
$19,532
Assets
$1,406,380
Liabilities
$0

Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: tax year 2024. Amounts in USD.

Leadership & pay

13 people listed

Executive titles in this filing

  • MARLENE HAPAI (PRESIDENT)

People named in this filing

  • MARLENE HAPAI (PRESIDENT)
  • CHERYL RAMOS (VICE PRESIDE)
  • STEVEN SYLVESTER (TREASURER)

Selected names, not a complete roster or a statement of current roles. Open leadership details for the complete filed list.

Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: tax year 2024. Names and roles reflect this filing, not necessarily current officeholders.

Overview

Mission

The mission of the Hawaii island portuguese chamber of commerce cultural and education center is to document, preserve, and share the valuable contributions of the portuguese to Hawaii's history before they are forever lost, including their rich history of explorations, ocean voyages of emigration, past and present contributions and assimilation into their communities, using today's technology, provide the opportunity for all Hawaii's immigrants to reunite with their family and friends throughout the world.

What it reported doing in 2024

Construction of a cultural and educational center remained a primary and ongoing program activity, encompassing extensive fundraising, grant acquisition, community engagement, and phased project development. Over several fiscal years, the organization pursued a combination of public and private funding sources, including multiple state grant in aid awards, county support, capital campaigns, special events, and a significant donated property, to advance the project despite escalating construction costs and evolving financial conditions. Early plans for completion were adjusted as costs increased, requiring redesign and phased construction to maintain feasibility. The covid-19 pandemic created substantial challenges, including limitations on in-person fundraising and the loss of previously awarded grant funds due to project readiness requirements. In response, the organization adapted by implementing alternative fundraising strategies such as drive-through cultural events and virtual programming, which sustained community involvement and generated necessary support. A dedicated capital campaign and continued donor engagement further contributed to rebuilding financial momentum following the pandemic period. Significant progress resumed with a groundbreaking ceremony in november 2022, followed by renewed success in securing funding, including additional state support and proceeds from the sale of donated property designated for site work. Coordination with state agencies facilitated alignment of grant requirements and timelines, enabling the organization to move forward with contracting. During the current fiscal period, contracts for both site work and building construction were executed, site preparation was completed, and vertical construction commenced, marking a major milestone toward project completion. In parallel with construction efforts, the organization continued to fulfill its cultural and educational mission by hosting events, exhibits, and programs that promote portuguese heritage, including music, food, genealogy, and historical education. These activities maintained strong community engagement, expanded partnerships, and reinforced the long-term purpose of the center as a hub for cultural preservation and learning.

Operating model

Revenue model
Mixed. Its operating money came from several sources; no one source provided a clear majority.
Distribution model
Direct operator. The filing allocates 100% of reported program-service expenses outside its grant, affiliate-payment, and member-benefit lines. This expense classification does not rule out separately announced grant awards.

The verdict

SUPPORTED - The filed numbers largely add up and most voting board members are independent. A relatively small share of available resources goes toward mission work and some filing-based governance responses are negative or unanswered.

Rating breakdown

  • Financial Efficiency: 46
  • Transparency & Controls: 92
  • Accountability: 76
  • Sustainability: 86
  • Growth: 100

Detailed rating inputs

Financial Efficiency

  • Mission deployment rate: 36.6%; rating input score 37
  • Program expense ratio: 75.2%; rating input score 75
  • Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

  • Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Pay-setting controls: Limited
  • Foreign activity oversight: Limited
  • Grant itemization coverage: Limited
  • Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
  • Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

  • Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
  • Governance controls: 3 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 43
    • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
    • Whistleblower policy: Fail
    • Document-retention policy: Fail
    • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
    • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
    • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
    • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
    • Audit committee oversight: Missing
    • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

  • Operating margin: 65.8%; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Total-asset coverage ratio: 72; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings
  • Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

  • Program expense growth: 28.4% per year; rating input score 100; 89th percentile among comparable filings
  • Revenue growth: 1.7% per year; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
  • Asset growth: 13.6% per year; rating input score 100; 85th percentile among comparable filings

Details

  • Where the money goes: 36.6% of revenue deployed · 75.2% of spending went to programs
  • Governance: 13 of 13 board members independent · 3 of 7 filing controls reported
  • Programs: 1 filed program accomplishment · $15K in reported program spending
  • Leadership: top reported pay $0 · 13 people listed
  • Consistency: 21 of 21 current checks pass
  • Schedules: 5 filed schedules · includes major donors
  • Filing history: 8 filing years from 2017 to 2024
  • Contacts: How to reach this organization
  • Grant readiness: Federal tax and exclusion status, award history, and grant-maker relationships.
  • People: Everyone the filings name, and which of them the filings identify by more than a name.

Key Signals

Signals prioritize questions for review. They are not findings of misconduct.

  • Moderate — Financial Efficiency: Mission deployment rate scored 37/100.
  • Moderate — Accountability: Governance controls: 3 of 6 not reported.