Native Hawaiian culture is at the heart of our islands' uniqueness. There has been a renaissance of the Hawaiian language and culture since the late 70's. Hawaiian practitioners are increasingly visible in the visitor industry. HTA supports programs that perpetuate and recognize the uniqueness and integrity of the Hawaiian culture and community and their significance in differentiating the Hawaiian Islands through unique and genuine visitor experiences.
Support for Native Hawaiian Signature events is a key element in supporting and perpetuating Hawaiian culture as well as providing unique and memorable experiences for Hawaii's visitors.
Hawaii is a special place, with a blend of cultures, activities, and experiences unique in the world. These islands have drawn the attention of travel marketers and journalists throughout the years, dating back to authors Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson. Along the way, some of those who have featured Hawaii have not always been intimately familiar with the Islands. As a result, our destination has often been misrepresented or inaccurately portrayed.
In response to these issues, we have developed the Maemae Toolkit. It will provide you with the essential information you need to accurately and sensitively promote the Hawaiian Islands. For further information or assistance, please contact us.
The HTA provides support to the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, a lead organization in implementing HTA's Hawaiian Culture initiatives. These programs and efforts are focused on continuing to bridge the gap between the Hawaiian community and the visitor industry. NaHHA's mission is to promote Hawaiian culture, values, and traditions in the workplace through consultation and education, and to provide opportunities for the Native Hawaiian Community to shape the future of tourism.
Founded on the value of ma ka hana ka ike (in working one learns), the Kukulu Ola program is partnering with awardees who enhance, strengthen and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.
Each year, the HTA selects via requests for proposals (RFP), a small group of organizations that will receive funding through its Kukulu Ola program. The program awards
The programs were chosen by the HTA and its Hawaiian Cultural Advisory Committee on criteria designed to address the goal and objectives identified in the 2016 HTA Strategic Plan. The objectives include: strengthening the relationship between the visitor industry and the Hawaiian community; nurturing the Hawaiian culture by supporting Hawaiian programs and cultural practitioners, craftsmen, musicians, and other artists that preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.
For 2019, HTA has awarded $1.22 million through its Kukulu Ola Program to 28 nonprofit programs that are perpetuating Hawaiian culture.
See a complete list of 2019 Kukulu Ola: Living Hawaiian Culture Program Awardees below.
For more information about this initiative, contact Kalani Kaanaana at (808) 973-2281 or via email [email protected]
Edith K. Kanakaole Foundation
Haa - Research and management of the health and wellness of Hula dancers
www.edithkanakaolefoundation.org
Hawaii Forest Institute
Hoola Ka Makanaa o Kaupulehu
www.hawaiiforestinstitute.org
Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation
Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hamakua
N/A
Hui Malama I ke Ala Ulili (huiMAU)
HoAMa Youth Mentorship Programs
www.alaulili.com
Pohaha I Ka Lani
Ka Lau o Ke Kahuli
https://www.pohahaikalani.com
University of Hawaii
Kukulu Ola: Na Lehua o Mokaulele
https://imiloahawaii.org/
Volcano Art Center
Hula Arts At Kilauea
www.volcanoartcenter.org
Hui Malama O Kaneiolouma
Uhau Humu Pohaku Reconstruction
www.Kaneiolouma.org/about
Hui o Laka dba Kokee Natural History Museum
Eo e Emalani 2020
www.kokee.org
Na Kahu o Hoai, Inc.
Educational and Restoration Internships at Kamaloula Cultural Preserve
N/A
Hana Arts
Hana Legends
www.hanaarts.org
Hawaiian Kamalii, Inc. dba Hawaiian Canoe Club
The Pailolo Challenge 2020
www.hawaiiancanoeclub.org
Holani Hana, Inc.
Kukulu Hale Hawaii
www.holanihana.org
Hui O Waa Kaulua
28th Annual Celebration of the Arts
www.ritzcarlton.com/kapalua
Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike
Na Mamo O Haloa - The Children of Haloa
www.hanabuild.org
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens Inc.
Increasing Capacity for Visitor and Community Activities with Hawaiian Ethnobotany
www.mnbg.org
Unda Kava 808, Inc.
2020 Maui Middle School Makahiki Championships!
www.undakava808.com
Lanai Culture & Heritage Center
Mala Noeau
https://lanaichc.org/
Hula Halau O Molokai
Molokai Ka Hula Piko
http://www.kahulapiko.com/
Bishop Museum
Living Hawaiian Culture: An Expanded Platform for Cultural Practitioners at Bishop Museum
www.bishopmuseum.org
City & County of Honolulu, Department of Parks and Recreation
93rd Annual Lei Day Celebration
http://www.honolulu.gov/parks
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
Noeau Series
www.hawaiiancouncil.org
Friends of Ka Leo Hawaii Media
Ka Leo: The Voice of Hawaii (KKNE 940AM)
N/A
Hawaiian Islands Land Trust
Maunawila Heiau Preservation & Education Program
www.hilt.org
Hikaalani
Pilimai 2019
www.hikaalani.website
Hookuaaina
Kukuluhou Internship Program
www.hookuaaina.org
Hui Aloha Aina Momona
Kapu ka Haloa
N/A
Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society
45th Annual Queen Liliuokalani Keiki Hula Competition
www.keikihula.org
Kauluakalana
Pili Mai 2020
N/A
Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services
Ka Lahui o Ka Po (Birthing a Nation)
www.kkv.net
Mailikukahi Aina Momona Academy
Koolau Aina Momona
N/A
Muolaulani
I Lea Ka Hula 2020: Celebrating Culture, Preserving Traditions
www.artofhula.com
PAI Foundation
PAI Presents
www.paifoundation.org
Ulu Ae Learning Center
Kapuuola Hula Festival
http://uluae.org/
Ulu Ae Learning Center
Ulu Ae Kaiaulu Project
http://uluae.org/
YOUNG OF HEART WORKSHOP dba Puuhonua Society
Kipuka: A Makers' Space
www.puuhonua-society.org
Aha Kane Foundation for the Advancement of Native Hawaiian Males
Hoa Hou
www.ahakane.org
Awaiaulu, Inc.
Mahuahua Translation Training Project: Phase IV
www.awaiaulu.org
Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences, Inc.
Steel Guitar Festivals (Kauai, Maui, Hawaii Island)
www.himele.org
Hawaii Museums Association
Makau Moomeheu: Cultural Competence in Hawaii's Museums
www.hawaiimuseums.org
Hula Preservation Society
Bringing Hula Kii To Life
www.hulapreservation.org
Polynesian Voyaging Society
Preparing for Moananuiakea: Exploring the Pacific
www.hokulea.com
To help market Hawaii authentically, browse through a resource of Hawaiian language tools, style and information guides, cultural activities and festivals, and other pertinent information.
Register to access the Knowledge Bank, a public resource of images related to Hawaii and tourism-related activities.
Initiatives that help Hawaii provide an experience that is unique and enriching, while valuing and perpetuating Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources and honoring its people and heritage.
Read the latest announcements that provide up-to-date information about current HTA's programs, events