Nā Leo Pūlama o Maui will be hosting their 37th Annual Hoʻomau Benefit Concert on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens from 9 am-sunset. This event will feature performances by the keiki of Pūnana Leo o Maui, keynote speakers, hula hālau, as well as a line-up of local entertainers. There will be a showcase of Hawaiian crafters, demonstrators, and local business vendors from around the island as well as offering ‘ono food and a keiki zone. Pūnana Leo o Maui will also be hosting a silent and live auction. 

Nā Leo Pūlama o Maui, the non-profit 501(c)(3) and parent-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Hawaiian immersion preschool program, Pūnana Leo o Maui, is located in Kahului. The event hosts over 4,000 attendees who travel near and far to celebrate the perpetuation of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Ho’omau 2024 is going to be an exceptional year since Pūnana Leo o Maui is honored to kako’o many ‘ohana from Pūnana Leo o Lahaina! 

This upcoming Hoʻomau we celebrate 40 years with the ʻAha Pūnana Leo for the many years committed to perpetuating the Hawaiian language and to celebrate the hundreds of students whose foundation is from within this unique Hawaiian Immersion language preschool.

The theme for Ho’omau 2024 is “I ala. I ulu. I ola.” (to rise. to grow. to live.) It is an affirmation and how we re-empower ourselves to OLA (live). The ‘ulu will forever be in our kāhua in remembering the literal gift of life that gives our lāhui hope to rise, to grow, and to live. The ‘ulu tree/fruit is symbolic and represents our beloved wahi pana of Lahaina, otherwise known as ka malu ‘ulu o Lele. The ‘ōlelo no’eau “Ka Malu ‘Ulu o Lele” gives us insight to what once was an ‘āina filled with groves of ‘ulu. It is important to remember these ‘ōlelo no’eau, inoa, and ‘ike passed on to us by our kūpuna so that we can rise, grow, and flourish (live) in this wā. May we continue to rely on our ‘ike kūpuna to empower a rising, growing, living lāhui each day just as the ‘ulu has empowered to OLA.

Tickets are $15 presale and $20 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Kahu Kili Nāmau‘u, at (808) 283-7733 or at kili@ahapunanaleo.org. 

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