Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Reinvests $2.7 Million to Support Natural Resource Preservation, Perpetuation of Hawaiian Culture
Furthering its longstanding commitment to protecting Hawaiʻi’s natural resources and perpetuating Hawaiian culture, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) today announced it is awarding $2.7 million in total funding statewide to support 53 community-based programs as part of its Aloha ‘Āina ($1.35 million) and Kūkulu Ola ($1.35 million) programs for fiscal year 2023-2024.
“HTA’s Aloha ‘Āina and Kūkulu Ola programs provide direct avenues for protecting our islands’ fragile ecosystems and strengthening our culture,” said Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, HTA’s chief brand officer. “We are proud to continue our work in supporting community-based organizations and the many dedicated stewards and Native Hawaiian practitioners who are committed to natural resource and cultural sustainability throughout Hawai‘i.”
Since 2010, HTA has provided nearly $13.3 million to support 370 programs that preserve Hawai‘i’s natural resources and more than $12.5 million to support nearly 360 community organizations and programs that focus on perpetuating Hawaiian culture.
HTA’s Aloha ‘Āina program uplifts community organizations and projects that preserve and regenerate Hawai‘i’s natural resources and cultural sites. HTA’s Kūkulu Ola program provides support to community groups and cultural practitioners that enhance, strengthen and perpetuate Hawaiian culture. These programs support the Natural Resources, Hawaiian Culture and Community pillars of HTA’s Strategic Plan and address the community’s priorities in each island’s Destination Management Action Plans.
HTA has partnered with the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) to administer its Aloha ‘Āina and Kūkulu Ola programs in fiscal year 2023-2024 (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024). To learn more, visit HCF’s page on the two programs.
“HCF is pleased to continue our partnership with HTA on its Aloha ‘Āina and Kūkulu Ola award programs as this important work aligns with our vision of ensuring thriving people and thriving place,” said Larissa Kick, HCF’s vice president of community grants and initiatives.
Each of the six letters of the HCF CHANGE Framework represents a sector, or area, that affects the community and its ability to thrive—from economy to education. Under each sector, HCF is working with partners across the state, from government to nonprofits, to find solutions to Hawai‘i’s greatest challenges together.
In addition to the Aloha ‘Āina and Kūkulu Ola programs, HTA recently awarded $3.78 million to support 76 community projects, festivals and events throughout the state as part of its Signature Events and Community Enrichment programs occurring in calendar year 2023.
HTA FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 ALOHA ʻĀINA PROGRAM AWARDEES
Multiple Islands
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Islands Served |
Award Amount |
|
Kupu |
Kupu Ho‘okupu Center Mālama ‘Āina Program |
Statewide |
$65,000 |
|
Hawaiʻi Forest Institute |
Mahalo ʻĀina Discovery Forest Projects |
Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu |
$40,000 |
Hawaiʻi Island
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
|
Big Island Invasive Species Committee |
Plant Pono Native Plant Education Program |
$50,000 |
|
Hawaiian Islands Land Trust |
Kūkūau Community Forest Cultural & Ecological Preservation & Education Program |
$65,000 |
|
Hui Aloha Kīholo |
Kīholo Hoa ʻĀina Program |
$40,000 |
|
Hui Hoʻoleimaluō |
Mālama Loko Iʻa |
$22,000 |
|
ʻO Makuʻu Ke Kahua Community Center |
Māla Hoʻoulu ʻIke |
$50,000 |
|
The Kohala Center Inc. |
Kilo Kahalu‘u: Learning from the Reef |
$75,000 |
Maui
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
|
ʻAoʻao O Nā Loko Iʻa O Maui |
Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond Visitor Engagement Program |
$65,000 |
|
Auwahi Forest Restoration Project |
Support for Community-based Restoration of Auwahi, One of Hawai‘i’s Last and Best Biocultural Forests |
$100,000 |
|
Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center |
Maui County Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) Resistance Project |
$39,000 |
|
Kīpahulu ʻOhana Inc. |
Kīpahulu Ahupuaʻa Project |
$21,380 |
|
Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke Building Program |
Nā Pulapula O Hāna |
$50,000 |
Molokaʻi
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
|
Molokaʻi Land Trust |
Integrating Voluntourism to Support Critical Habitat Improvements at Anapuka |
$75,000 |
Oʻahu
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
|
Hawaiʻi Marine Mammal Alliance |
Stewardship and Conservation of Hawaiʻi’s Protected Marine Animals |
$60,000 |
|
Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi |
Hoʻoulu Muliwai |
$40,000 |
|
Kauluakalana |
Komo i ka ‘Āina |
$65,000 |
|
Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services |
Ola Koa: Growing Generational and Generative Abundance |
$50,000 |
|
Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea |
Preserving Place: Community Implementation of a New Management Plan |
$41,500 |
|
Nā Kama Kai |
Hālau Nā Kama Kai - Coral Restoration Project at Pōkaʻī Bay |
$41,120 |
|
Nurture Cultivate Inc. |
Mōhala i ka Wai |
$75,000 |
|
Protect & Preserve Hawaiʻi |
Mālama Pia Valley |
$75,000 |
Kauaʻi
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
|
Kōkeʻe Resource Conservation Program |
Volunteers Protecting Native Forest on Kauaʻi |
$45,000 |
|
Makauwahi Cave Reserve |
Makauwahi Cave Reserve: Sustainable Management of Unique Natural and Cultural Resources |
$60,000 |
|
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit |
Traveling Educational and Outreach Programs to Reach a Wider Audience on Kauaʻi |
$40,000 |
HTA FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 KŪKULU OLA PROGRAM AWARDEES
Multiple Islands
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Islands Served |
Award Amount |
|
Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation |
Uluwehi o ke Kai |
Statewide |
$75,000 |
|
Hale Kua |
Hale Kua Incubator Program |
Statewide |
$36,000 |
|
Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission |
Sharing the Stories of Kahoʻolawe’s Past, Present and Future |
Kaho‘olawe, Maui |
$35,000 |
|
Kalihi-Pālama Culture & Arts Society Inc. |
Lohe i ka Leo (Hear the Voice) Archive Project |
Statewide |
$60,000 |
|
Kealakai Center For Pacific String Traditions |
The Kealakai Center Digital Humanities Information Ecosystem |
Statewide |
$95,000 |
|
Maui Public Art Corps, FS: Lōkahi Pacific |
Hui Mo‘olelo |
Kaho‘olawe, Maui |
$55,000 |
Hawaiʻi Island
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
|
Hawaiʻi Forest Institute |
Ho‘ola ka Makana‘ā o Ka‘ūpūlehu |
$40,000 |
|
Hawai‘i Science and Technology Museum |
Nā Kama o Kalai Waʻa |
$55,000 |
|
Hui Aloha Kīholo |
A‘o Aku A‘o Mai |
$40,000 |
|
The Kohala Center Inc. |
ʻOhiʻohikūpua & Lauhiki: Developing Weavers as Aloha ʻĀina Practitioners |
$50,000 |
Maui
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
|
Hāna Arts |
Hāna Arts – Hana Noʻeau |
$50,000 |
|
Hōlani Hāna |
Hālau Hale Kuhikuhi: Perpetuating Traditional Hawaiian Architecture for Present and Future Generations. |
$55,000 |
|
Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike Building Program |
Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi |
$60,000 |
Lānaʻi
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
|
Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center |
Hana Ka Lima |
$27,000 |
Oʻahu
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
|
Bishop Museum |
Living Culture Public Programs |
$60,000 |
|
Hawaiʻi Theatre Center |
Hawai‘i Theatre Center Partners in the Arts – Aloha Mele |
$25,000 |
|
I Nui Ke Aho |
Polynesian Voyaging with Wānana Paoa |
$26,350 |
|
Kauluakalana |
Pili Mai 2023 |
$40,000 |
|
Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services |
Hoʻoulu Maikoha |
$60,000 |
|
Mānoa Heritage Center |
Cultural-Based Experiences for Residents and Visitors |
$28,600 |
|
Paepae O He‘eia |
Hana a Maʻa |
$75,000 |
|
PAʻI Foundation |
PAʻI Presents |
$45,000 |
|
Pu‘uhonua Society |
Keanahala: a Place for Hala |
$60,000 |
|
Ulu A‘e Learning Center |
Ulu Aʻe Kaiāulu |
$25,000 |
|
Wai‘anae Economic Development Council |
E Mau Ke Aʻo Program for Indigenous Cultural Practitioners |
$50,000 |
|
Waikīkī Community Center |
Hawaiian Culture in the Community |
$60,000 |
Kauaʻi
|
Organization |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
|
Friends of King Kaumualiʻi |
Kuʻu Home o Pāʻulaʻula: Re-Connecting Lāhui |
$40,000 |
|
Kaua‘i Museum Association Ltd. |
Kauaʻi Museum Cultural Programs: Nā Kumu Hula o Kauaʻi a me Niʻihau & Ulana, the Art of Hawaiian Weaving |
$21,550 |