PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The Ko`olauloa Educational Alliance Corporation is the sponsor of the e-commerce venture, KAHUKU.ORG.  During its first 14 months, the business earned gross revenue of over $125,000, including about $44,000 from the sale of more than 3100 tickets for the Sept. 21 football double header at Aloha Stadium. 

Besides passing on nearly $24,000 of the profits to Kahuku High, KAHUKU.ORG provided part-time employment to 15 students, either during the last school year or through the summer.  Alison Juliano, Kahuku resident, was employed during summer 2002 as the store manager and continues managing the store in the after-school hours.  In addition, nearly $40,000 was paid to local vendors to produce the goods sold – about 6700 items were sold, including more than 3600 T-shirts to benefit the football team.  Internet sales continue to grow, currently providing about 5% of the merchandise revenue and about 20% of the ticket sale revenue.

Marketing community products is the next stage of development for KAHUKU.ORG.  This expansion, known as the Campbell e-Entrepreneurship Program, will offer community entrepreneurs an opportunity to utilize KAHUKU.ORG’s worldwide exposure to market their products.  Under the mentoring of Lowell Hussey, retired senior vice president of Time-Warner, Kahuku students will develop the community component.  Efforts will be made to involve many Kahuku students in all phases of the business, in addition to those who take the e-entrepreneurship class.

KEAC was assisted in the development of KAHUKU.ORG through grant funding from the Ho`opono Ko`olau Loa Community Foundation (through the City’s Community Development Block Grant funds); James and Abigail Campbell Foundation; Atherton Family Foundation; and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism’s Community-Based Economic Development program.

Several community members donated incalculable numbers of hours in the development of the program.  Mahalo to Janine Brand, who originally set up and managed the store; Lowell Hussey, who continues to offer his marketing expertise; Jack Morgan and Scott Poarch, GlobalHost co-founders, who developed the internet side of the enterprise; and MaryAnne Long, who continues to coordinate KAHUKU.ORG activities.  Kahuku High principal Lisa DeLong has remained a steadfast supporter of the program and shares KEAC’s vision of long-term growth for KAHUKU.ORG.

FUNDING & SPONSORS:
Funding: Kahuku.org was initially funded by the Koolauloa Educational Alliance Corporation  (KEAC). The goal of KEAC is to provide K-12 schools with work-based learning experiences through the collaboration of local businesses, community members, and parents. KEAC wants to help K-12 students achieve the necessary skills and tools to achieve career goals upon High School Graduation.

Sponsor: Globalhost.com is co-owned by Jack Morgan. He was the first volunteer teacher at Kahuku.org. He primarily taught web design using Dreamweaver. His company continues to sponsor the web hosting for the kahuku.org web site. He no longer teaches the course.