Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai

Investing in Culture. Empowering Communities. Perpetuating Hawaiian Knowledge.

Founded in 1998, Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai is a nonprofit 501©(3) organization comprised of Kumu Hula and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners throughout Southern California dedicated to preserving, perpetuating, and advancing Hawaiian culture through education, mentorship, leadership development, cultural programming, and community engagement. For more than two decades, the organization has served as a collaborative network of cultural leaders committed to strengthening connections to ʻike Hawaiʻi, hula, language, music, history, and traditional practices for Native Hawaiian communities and the broader public.

Serving one of the largest Native Hawaiian populations outside of Hawaiʻi, Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai creates meaningful opportunities for cultural learning through conferences, workshops, scholarships, mentorship initiatives, and community partnerships. By bringing together respected cultural practitioners, educators, and community leaders, the organization works to ensure that Hawaiian knowledge, values, and traditions remain vibrant, accessible, and relevant for future generations throughout Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiian diaspora.

Our Mission

Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai exists to unite and support Kumu Hula and Hawaiian cultural leaders in their collective efforts to preserve, perpetuate, and advance Native Hawaiian culture through education, mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement.

Through culturally grounded programming, educational conferences, workshops, scholarship initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, the organization creates opportunities for meaningful engagement with ʻike Hawaiʻi while strengthening cultural continuity, fostering future leaders, and expanding access to Hawaiian cultural education for Native Hawaiian communities and the broader public.

The organization is guided by the belief that cultural knowledge is strengthened through shared learning, mentorship, and community stewardship, ensuring that the traditions, values, and ʻike of Hawaiʻi continue to thrive for generations to come.

Why Our Work Matters

Southern California is home to one of the largest Native Hawaiian populations outside of Hawaiʻi. For many families living away from their ancestral homeland, access to culturally grounded educational opportunities, language resources, cultural practitioners, and community networks can be limited.

As a result, many Native Hawaiian youth and families face challenges maintaining meaningful connections to their cultural heritage, traditional practices, and community support systems.

Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai was established to address this need by creating pathways for cultural engagement, education, mentorship, and leadership development that strengthen cultural identity while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian culture within the broader community.

Cultural Education & Workshops
Our educational programming provides opportunities for participants of all ages to engage in Hawaiian cultural learning through workshops, lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences led by respected cultural practitioners and educators.
Topics include:
- Hula
- Hawaiian Language
- Music and Chant
- Lei Making
- Cultural Arts and Crafts
- Hawaiian History
- Traditional Practices
- Leadership Development
- Community Engagement
Through the collective efforts of our volunteers, educators, cultural practitioners, donors, and community partners, Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai continues to create opportunities that strengthen cultural continuity and community engagement.
Our work supports:
- Native Hawaiian youth and families
- Cultural practitioners and educators
- Community organizations
- Schools and universities
- Emerging leaders
- Lifelong learners seeking deeper cultural understanding
Every workshop, conference session, scholarship award, mentorship opportunity, and cultural event contributes to the perpetuation of Hawaiian knowledge and traditions for future generations.
The success of Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai is made possible through the generosity of individuals, businesses, foundations, and community partners who believe in the importance of cultural education and community investment.
Your support helps sustain:
- Cultural education programs
- Scholarship initiatives
- Community workshops
- Cultural practitioner engagement
- Leadership development opportunities
- Conference programming
- Educational outreach efforts
Together, we can strengthen pathways for cultural learning, leadership development, and community engagement while ensuring that Hawaiian culture continues to thrive for generations to come.

Community Outreach & Cultural Engagement

Throughout the year, Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai collaborates with schools, universities, community organizations, cultural institutions, and public events to provide educational programming that promotes greater understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian culture.

These partnerships expand access to cultural learning opportunities while helping build stronger relationships between Native Hawaiian communities and the broader public.