Honolulu’s community is deeply engaged in preserving and revitalizing Native Hawaiian culture through various initiatives that honor traditions and support cultural practitioners.
Community-Based Cultural Programs
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) has been instrumental in supporting community-driven programs that celebrate and sustain Hawaiian culture. Through its Kūkulu Ola program, HTA has provided funding to numerous organizations dedicated to perpetuating Hawaiian cultural practices, offering educational programming, and preserving cultural sites. These efforts enrich the lives of Hawai‘i’s residents and provide visitors with opportunities to connect more deeply with the island’s heritage.
Development of a Native Hawaiian Cultural Center
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is leading a feasibility study for the development of a Native Hawaiian Cultural Center in Kakaʻako Makai. This project aims to create a space rooted in community and culture, revitalizing Native Hawaiian presence in urban Honolulu. The study involves extensive community engagement to ensure the center reflects shared aspirations and knowledge.
Grassroots Cultural Preservation Efforts
Local organizations are also playing a vital role in cultural preservation. The Puʻuhonua Society, a Native Hawaiian women-led nonprofit, creates opportunities for Native Hawaiian and Hawaiʻi-based artists and cultural practitioners to express themselves and engage with the community. Their initiatives support artists who serve as translators and amplifiers of social justice issues within the community.
Similarly, the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and restoring remaining Hawaiian fishponds, springs, and cultural sites in Maunalua Bay. Their work focuses on reviving Native Hawaiian fishponds and reconnecting the community to ancestral practices.
Educational and Professional Development Initiatives
Educational institutions are also contributing to cultural preservation. Honolulu Community College, through its Kūkalahale project, offers Hawaiian culture-based professional development to faculty, staff, and administrators. This initiative aims to infuse Hawaiian culture, traditions, and values into their work, supporting student success and fostering a sense of place on campus.
These collective efforts demonstrate Honolulu’s commitment to preserving and perpetuating Native Hawaiian culture, ensuring that traditions and practices continue to thrive for future generations.