Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Awards $3.56 Million to Support 130 Programs

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

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is awarding of more than $3.56 million in funding to support 130 programs in the Hawaiian Islands that perpetuate Hawaiian culture, protect natural resources and showcase community events and programs in 2019.

Funding recipients are qualified nonprofit groups, community organizations and individuals statewide who have demonstrated through proposals submitted to HTA their commitment to preserving the unmatched qualities that distinguish the Hawaiian Islands as a place to live, visit and experience.

Funding is provided to recipients on all islands through HTA’s Kukulu Ola, Aloha ʻĀina and Community Enrichment programs. HTA issued a request for proposals on June 13 with submittals from applicants received by August 3.

• Kukulu Ola: A total of $1,223,000 is being awarded to 28 recipients who are perpetuating Hawaiian culture. Awardees include community groups, practitioners, craftsmen, musicians and artists committed to strengthening a broader 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), the Kukulu Ola program assists recipients steeped in ike Hawaii to share within communities the Hawaiian values inherent in each respective practice.
• Aloha ʻĀina: A total of $1,124,000 is being awarded to 28 recipients who are protecting Hawaii’s natural resources. Focused on the lasting value of stewardship by responsible community-based entities that emphasize ʻāina-kanaka relationships and knowledge, the Aloha ʻĀina program supports efforts to manage, conserve and revitalize Hawaii’s natural environment.
• Community Enrichment: A total of $1,212,900 is being awarded to 74 recipients who are supporting quality experiences created by communities to be shared with residents and visitors. The Community Enrichment program invests in a diverse array of festivals, events and year-round programs in support of culture, education, health and wellness, nature, agriculture, sports, technology and voluntourism.

A total of seven programs in Maui County were included in the funding.  They are:

• Moloka‘i Land Trust Anapuka Critical Habitat Restoration for ground nesting seabirds and
  endangered species
• Ma Ka Hāna Ka Ike Building Program Wailua Nui Restoration Project
• Coral Reef Alliance Engaging community volunteers to support restoration actions that reduce land-based pollution threats to West Maui coral reefs
• The Nature Conservancy Local action for effective management of priority Coral Reefs in Maui Nui
• Maui Nui Botanical Gardens Inc. Seed storage of and community access to Maui Nui Native Plants
• Friends of Auwahi Forest Restoration Project Hookumu ‘ulu iIa au ‘ōiwi Auwahi; continued restoration of a wahi pana forest
• Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, Inc. dba Maui Nui Marine Resource Council: for monitoring and protecting ocean water quality along Maui’s south and west shores to benefit coral reef health.

Click here for the listing of awardees receiving funding from HTA.