Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Reinvests $2.7 Million to Support Natural Resource Preservation, Perpetuation of Hawaiian Culture HTA’s Aloha ‘Āina and Kūkulu Ola Programs Support 53 Projects Statewide

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Reinvests $2.7 Million to Support Natural Resource
Preservation, Perpetuation of Hawaiian Culture
HTA’s Aloha ‘Āina and Kūkulu Ola Programs Support 53 Projects Statewide
HONOLULU – Furthering its longstanding commitment to protecting Hawai‘i’s natural resources
and perpetuating Hawaiian culture, the Hawai‘i 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 ‘ĀINA 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
Hawai‘i 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
Moloka‘i
Organization Project Title Award Amount
Molokaʻi Land Trust Integrating Voluntourism to Support Critical
Habitat Improvements at Anapuka
$75,000
O‘ahu
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
Kaua‘i
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
Hawai‘i 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
Lāna‘i
Organization Project Title Award Amount
Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage
Center
Hana Ka Lima $27,000
O‘ahu
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
Kaua‘i
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