In Honolulu, a vibrant tapestry of community initiatives is dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Hawaiian culture. These efforts, led by local organizations, aim to ensure that the rich traditions and practices of Hawaiʻi continue to thrive for future generations.
Huli Ka Lima: Nurturing the Land and Culture
Huli Ka Lima focuses on mālama ʻāina (caring for the land) in Koʻolauloa by providing community spaces that perpetuate Hawaiian culture through ʻāina-based education and practices. Their programs include traditional and modern farming practices, restoring native ecosystems, and promoting culturally-based Native Hawaiian practices. In 2025, they educated 375 individuals about Kaluanui through their ʻāina-based programs and engaged 220 Hawaiʻi K-12 youth in cultural education experiences.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs: Planning a Cultural Center
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has initiated a feasibility study for developing a Native Hawaiian Cultural Center in Kakaʻako Makai. This project aims to create a vibrant gathering place that strengthens the community’s connection to Hawaiian history and the shoreline. The proposed center is envisioned as a space for education, intergenerational learning, cultural practice, and community connection, generating lasting social, cultural, educational, and economic benefits for Native Hawaiians and the broader public.
Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts: Public Art Projects
The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) in Honolulu is dedicated to providing equal and abundant opportunities for exposure to culture and the arts. One of their notable projects is “Wahi Pana: Storied Places,” a temporary public art initiative featuring installations across Oʻahu that connect each site with indigenous, Native Hawaiian moʻolelo (stories). This project aims to bring the community together through culture and the arts, highlighting the significance of storied places in Hawaiʻi.
Kalihi-Pālama Culture & Arts Society: Preserving Hula Traditions
The Kalihi-Pālama Culture & Arts Society, Inc. (KPCAS) is a non-profit community-based organization located in the Kalihi-Pālama District. Established in 1972, KPCAS provides education, training, and services in culture and arts, with a primary focus on the underprivileged population in the area. The organization has become an essential part of the hula community through its annual Keiki Hula Competition and the preservation of hula archives that date back 100 years.
Mokauea Island Restoration Project: Reviving a Historic Fishing Village
In Keʻehi Lagoon, less than half a mile from downtown Honolulu, lies the 10-acre Mokauea Island, the site of Oʻahu’s last Hawaiian fishing village. Since 2005, the Mokauea Island Restoration Project has been leading efforts to environmentally and culturally restore the island. The goal is to recreate a living example of a traditional Hawaiian subsistence fishing village, preserving maritime skills and knowledge that have been lost over the past century.
These initiatives, among others, reflect Honolulu’s commitment to preserving and revitalizing Hawaiian culture. Through community engagement and dedicated efforts, these organizations ensure that the traditions and practices of Hawaiʻi continue to enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike.