AG’s office questions Na Koa’s status

The state attorney general‘s office has asked the Na Koa Football Club, the University of Hawaii’s official football booster club, to examine whether it should register as a charitable organization that solicits contributions.

In a June 7 letter, the AG’s office said "NFC appears to engage in fundraising activities and solicits contributions from people in Hawaii for charitable purposes and, therefore, may be required to register…"

Na Koa was founded in 1987 and claims to be "quickly approaching the milestone of 1,000 active members" while bringing in $1 million.

On its website, Na Koa says its "mission is to support athletic excellence and academic achievement for Warrior Football. Funds raised by Na Koa go directly to supporting the Warrior Football Program and supplementing the budget provided by the UH athletic department."

The statewide broadcast of a Na Koa telethon in April raised "more than $65,000," according to UH.

But deputy attorney general Kathryn T. Kanemori said Na Koa has not registered with the state or shown why it should be exempt. She has asked Na Koa to respond and submit documents by June 28. She said she has yet to hear from the organization.

Kanemori’s letter said a statement on the Na Koa website, "…implies that the NFC is a tax-exempt charitable organization pursuant to section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. I was unable to find NFC in the Internal Revenue Service Publication 78."

In addition, the letter notes, "the solicitation of contributions without registration is prohibited and is an unfair trade practice and may subject your organization to civil penalties and possible criminal prosecution for knowing and intentional violations."

Na Koa executive director Kim Fujiuchi said, "I don’t know what the issue is, but we’re working on it." She said Na Koa operates under the UH Foundation, which is registered, and all funds raised go through the foundation.

Na Koa underwrites the approximately $230,000 cost of summer school and the off-season Warrior Bridge program that helps incoming players get a summer jump on enrollment. In addition it also helps supply video equipment, knee braces and nutritional supplements.