Hikaʻalani

Kailua Kau a Hoʻoilo

Who We Are

Hikaʻalani is a Native Hawaiian nonprofit organization advancing cultural education, stewardship, and community wellbeing through place-based knowledge, practitioner leadership, and meaningful pathways that honor ʻike kūpuna.

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Our Work

Na Moʻolelo o Oʻahu
A place-based storytelling initiative focused on researching, translating, and sharing moʻolelo of Oʻahu through digital access, educational resources, and public learning opportunities. This project helps expand access to ancestral knowledge while deepening connection to place.
Current Focus:
- Research and translation
- Website publishing series
- Educational curriculum development
- Community and industry learning webinars
Drawing on a network of respected cultural practitioners, educators, and scholars, Hikaʻalani offers guidance on cultural protocols, place-based knowledge, historical context, language use, and appropriate cultural representation. Our work may include cultural review of plans and materials, development of culturally grounded frameworks, and facilitation of engagement with Hawaiian cultural practitioners.
By centering ʻike kūpuna and contemporary community leadership, Hikaʻalani helps partners ensure that their work reflects a deeper understanding of Hawaiʻi’s cultural landscape and supports respectful and meaningful engagement with Hawaiian knowledge and practice.

A multi-year initiative supporting the economic resilience of Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners through practitioner-led training, curriculum development, mentorship, and paid opportunities rooted in ʻike kūpuna.
Current Focus:
- Cultural entrepreneur training
- Practitioner cohort development
- Public workshops
- School partnerships
- Sustainable income pathways through cultural practice
Services may include funding research, proposal development, narrative writing, budget preparation, and coordination of supporting materials. We work closely with partners to clearly articulate their vision, strengthen project design, and position proposals for competitive funding opportunities.

& Learning Center
Hikaʻalani is actively planning for a future cultural center and operational home base in Koʻolaupoko. This space is envisioned as a hub for learning, ceremony, stewardship, arts practice, and community gathering rooted in Hawaiian values.
Future Goals Include:
- Hula, chant, and language programming
- Applied arts and practitioner space
- Community learning events
- Native plant cultivation and māla spaces
- Cultural protocol and ceremony space
Services may include advising on appropriate cultural protocol, supporting consultation processes with lineal and cultural descendants, and helping ensure that decisions related to iwi kūpuna are approached with care, respect, and alignment with Hawaiian cultural practices. Our approach prioritizes honoring the dignity of our ancestors while fostering thoughtful collaboration with community and project partners.

& Place-Based Projects
Our work extends beyond programming into stewardship of places that hold deep meaning. Hikaʻalani is exploring partnerships and long-term models for mālama ʻāina, restoration, interpretation, and community-based stewardship.
Areas of Interest Include:
- Native planting and propagation
- Cultural landscape restoration
- Volunteer stewardship programs
- Educational signage and interpretation
- Trail and access stewardship models