Honolulu is home to a vibrant array of community initiatives dedicated to preserving and celebrating Hawaiian culture. These programs, led by local organizations and supported by various institutions, play a crucial role in maintaining the rich heritage of the islands.
Huli Ka Lima: Cultivating Cultural Education
In the Koʻolauloa region of Oʻahu, Huli Ka Lima focuses on ʻāina-based education and stewardship programs. Their mission is to perpetuate Aloha ʻĀina through traditional and modern farming practices, restoring native ecosystems, and promoting culturally-based Native Hawaiian practices. These programs are designed to cultivate Native Hawaiian culture-based practices, promote environmental conservation, and provide hands-on opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages to learn about and participate in fostering a sustainable Hawaii. Learn more about Huli Ka Lima.
Puʻuhonua Society: Supporting Native Hawaiian Artists
Puʻuhonua Society, a Native Hawaiian women-led nonprofit organization based in Honolulu, creates opportunities for Native Hawaiian and Hawaiʻi-based artists and cultural practitioners to express themselves and engage with diverse audiences. Their initiatives include Aupuni Space, an artist-run gallery and studios; Hoʻākea Source, a regional regranting program; and KEANAHALA, a collaborative weaving program that perpetuates the Native Hawaiian practice of ulana lauhala (pandanus weaving). Discover more about Puʻuhonua Society.
Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts: Public Art and Cultural Programs
The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) in Honolulu provides equal and abundant opportunities for exposure to culture and the arts in all its forms. One of their notable projects is “Wahi Pana: Storied Places,” a temporary public art project featuring installations across Oʻahu that connect each site with indigenous, Native Hawaiian moʻolelo (stories). Explore MOCA’s initiatives.
Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center: Restoring Ancestral Fishponds
The Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and restoring remaining Hawaiian loko iʻa (fishponds), springs, and cultural sites in Maunalua Bay. They manage sites like Kānewai Spring in Kuliʻouʻou and Kalauhaʻihaʻi fishpond in Niu Valley, caring for native species and fostering community engagement in these restoration efforts. Learn about their restoration projects.
These initiatives, among others, exemplify the community’s commitment to preserving and celebrating Hawaiian culture. Through education, restoration, and the arts, they ensure that the rich heritage of the islands continues to thrive for future generations.