HTA Supports 40 Programs on Maui and Molokaʻi

Sponsors Robin Rayner of Hāna Arts and Andrew Rayner of Hāna Business Council with speakers Zachary McNish and Lori Fisher, as well as Becky Lind of Hāna Arts. File Photo Courtesy.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has announced funding to support some 128 programs statewide this year that are helping to perpetuate Hawaiian culture, preserve Hawaiʻi’s natural resources, and present community festivals and events.

Altogether, HTA is providing more than $3.3 million in funding to organizations committed to supporting Hawaiʻi’s legacy through the three components of its Product Enrichment Program: 31 Hawaiian culture-based programs are receiving funding support through the Kukulu Ola Program; 30 environment-based programs are receiving funding support from the Aloha ʻĀina Program; and 67 community-based programs are receiving funding support through the the HTA’s Community Enrichment Program.

George D. Szigeti, HTA president and CEO, said, “HTA’s funding is supporting organizations devoted to enriching and strengthening our communities through exceptional and memorable experiences for residents and visitors. We are proud to support the groups and volunteers who make these programs possible, and admire their efforts to share the Hawaiian culture, protect our precious environment, and host community festivals that showcase Hawaiʻi’s distinctive appeal.”

HTA’s Kukulu Ola Program provides support to community groups, practitioners, craftsmen, musicians, and artists whose efforts are perpetuating the Hawaiian culture. Kukulu Ola focuses on nurturing a greater understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian culture through place-based activity engagement. Founded on the value of ma ka hana ka ike (in working one learns), Kukulu Ola assists organizations steeped in ike Hawaiʻi to expand their ability to share within communities the Hawaiian values inherent in each respective practice.

Photo courtesy Hawaiʻi Energy and Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike.

Kukulu Ola Program Recipients on Maui and Molokaʻi: Hāna Arts – Hāna Legends; Hōlani Hāna Inc. – Hoʻomau I Ka Hale Kahiko; Hui Noeau – Art with Aloha 2017; Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center – E Ike Hou ia Lānaʻi – Cultural Literacy Initiative; Ma Ka Hāna Ka Ike Building Program – Hoi la Hāloa; Maui Arts & Cultural Center – Celebrate Hawaiʻi; Nā Leo Pūlama O Maui, Inc. – A Living Hawaiian Language – It’s Our Kuleana; Ka Honua Momona – Ke Alaula ʻOhana Workshops; Molokaʻi Arts Center, Inc. – Hawaiian Arts “HA” Program.

HTA’s Aloha ʻĀina Program supports efforts that manage, protect and revitalize Hawaii’s natural resources through a community-based approach. Aloha ʻĀina aims to instill a greater sense of respect, awareness and responsibility to maintain Hawaiʻi’s unique natural resources and environment. Aloha ʻĀina also focuses on restoring the value of stewardship by assisting community entities that emulate and prioritize ʻāina-kanaka relationships and knowledge.

A series of Kalo workshops is planned at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Aloha ʻĀina Program Recipients on Maui and Molokaʻi: Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund – Hoʻokipa Honu Hoʻokuleana: A Community-Based Educational Outreach; Ma Ka Hāna Ka Ike Building Program – Mālama Ka Waihona ʻĀina O Hāna; Maui Nui Botanical Gardens Inc. – Seed Storage of and Increased Community Access to Traditional; Pacific Whale Foundation – Informing, Education and Involving the Public in Restoration; Save Honolua Coalition – Mālama Honolua; Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. – Leeward Haleakalā Watershed Restoration Partnership; University of Hawaiʻi, Office of Research Services – Early Detection & Rapid Response to Invasive Species along Trails; Ka Honua Momona – Mālama I Nā Loko lʻa O Molokaʻi; Molokaʻi Land Trust – Habitat Improvements for Laysan Albatross at the Mokio Preserve.

HTA’s Community Enrichment Program supports projects, festivals and events in the niche areas of cultural tourism, eco-tourism, agri-tourism, edu-tourism, health and wellness tourism, sports and techno-tourism throughout the State. The program was created to support groups providing quality resident and visitor experiences, and to strengthen and diversify Hawaiʻi tourism.

Pailolo Challenge. File photo courtesy: Hawaiian Canoe Club.

Community Enrichment Program Recipients on Maui and Molokaʻi: Arts Education for Children Group – 9th Annual Maui Hawaii Steel Guitar Festival; Arts Education for Children Group – Jazz Maui East Meets West 2017; Hawaiian Kamaliʻi, Inc. – The Pailolo Challenge 2017; Hui Noʻeau – Hui Noʻeau Art Exhibitions 2017; Japanese Cultural Society of Maui – Maui Matsuri, A Japanese Festival (17th Anniversary); Kī Hōʻalu Foundation, Inc. – 26th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Maui Style; Kristie Wrigglesworth – World Whale Day; Maui Arts & Cultural Center – Maui ʻUkulele Festival; Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Schaefer International Gallery – 2017 Visual Arts Exhibition; Maui Bicycling League, Chapter of Hawaiʻi Bicycling League – Love the West Maui Greenway Day; Maui Classical Music Festival – Maui Classical Music Festival 2017; Maui Historical Society / Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House – E Pūlama Mau la Maui; Maui Jim Inc. – Maui Jim Ocean Racing Series; Maui Pops Orchestra, Inc. – Maui Pops Orchestra 2017; Nāpili Kai Foundation – Kuʻu Pua Maeole – Celebrating 50 Years, Nāpili Kai Foundation; Pailolo SUP Sports, LLC – Maui SUP Cup; The Lahaina Restoration Foundation – Four Chinese Festivals; Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. – Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival; Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. – Wailuku First Friday; USTA Hawaii Pacific Section – 2017 Tennis Championship of Maui; Aha Kukui o Molokaʻi – Molokaʻi Canoe Festivals Kulaia; Hawaiian Kamaliʻi, Inc. – The Pailolo Challenge 2017; Pailolo SUP Sports, LLC – Maui SUP Cup.