Understory Alliance

What it reported doing in 2025

Understory Alliance grows and stewards Mala Laau, community forest gardens in public spaces on Kauai, runs 2 plant nurseries, and delivers hands-on education and workforce development. All sites are free and open to the public. SITES AND STEWARDSHIP: Stewarded 2 active Mala Laau sites in 2025. The Kauai Animal Education Farm site was converted from degraded guinea grass into a functioning multi-layered forest garden now supporting 50+ plant species available for community harvest. Advanced the Wailua Homesteads Park Mala Laau (approximately 0.6 acres) through a formal 5-year stewardship agreement with the County of Kauai Parks and Recreation, the first of its kind for the organization. Site work included invasive species clearing, fencing design to exclude feral pigs, and phased planting. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Conducted a multi-channel community survey with 127 participants to guide Wailua site design. Results: 83% supported the project (exceeding the pre-established 70% threshold required to proceed); 92% identified food security as a priority; 88% environmental restoration; 85% health and wellness; 81% recreation; 89% expressed interest in learning. Survey results directly shaped plant selection, site layout, and programming. Hosted 4 community outreach and tabling events. NURSERIES AND PLANT PRODUCTION: Operated 2 nurseries in Kalaheo and Haena growing native, canoe, food, and medicinal plants for Mala Laau sites and community distribution. Collected and stewarded 26,430+ seeds across 52+ species. Plants are available to the community at no cost. VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT: Coordinated 2,934 volunteer hours across stewardship, planting, maintenance, and program support. Hosted 14 community workdays combining hands-on site care with informal learning and community connection. EDUCATION AND WORKSHOPS: Hosted 3 public workshops: flower pounding, propagation from cuttings, and compost systems in partnership with Zero Waste Kauai. Education happens through the sites themselves. People learn by doing, alongside others who know the plants and the land. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Hosted 7 interns: 1 from Kauai Community College, 3 career-based learning placements through Hawaii Technology Academy, 2 post-baccalaureate interns, and 1 high school intern. Interns worked directly in nurseries and on active Mala Laau sites, getting real hours in plant propagation, stewardship, and land-based work. PARTNERSHIPS: Worked with 8+ organizations, including County of Kauai Parks and Recreation, Kauai Animal Education Farm, Hallux Ecosystem Restoration, Kauai Community College, Hawaii Technology Academy, UH Master Gardener Program, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and local nurseries and conservation groups. Partners contributed plants, seeds, land access, technical knowledge, and program capacity. COMMUNITY ACCESS: Both Mala Laau sites stayed open all year. People came to harvest food, gather medicine, and spend time in the gardens. No fees, no registration, no requirements. Outcomes reflect contributions of this program alongside broader community and partner efforts and are not claimed as sole or causal impacts.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 58.3%; rating input score 58
• Program expense ratio: 100%; rating input score 100

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 41.7%; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.69; rating input score 61; 61st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.03; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 74.2% per year; rating input score 100; 95th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 68% per year; rating input score 100; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 83.6% per year; rating input score 100; 97th percentile among comparable filings