#Purple Maia Foundation

When 19-year-old Talia Agliam walks across the stage to receive her bachelor’s degree in sociology and a certificate in law and society from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on May 17, she will carry with her not only the pride of achievement, but the strength and support of her Lānaʻʻi island community.

With a $200,000 OHA grant award, the Purple Maiʻa Foundation will focus on introducing students and teachers in Hawaiʻi to artificial intelligence (AI) through workshops, training sessions, and mentorship programs. By equipping Native Hawaiian students with AI knowledge and skills, they aim to increase their college, career, and community readiness, and ensure they are prepared to participate in the rapidly evolving field of AI. 

a $300,000 economic stability grant was awarded to Ma Ka Hana ‘Ike Building Program in Hāna, Maui, to provide job readiness training for students in vocational trades. A $10,000 ʻAhahui event grant was awarded to Hāna Arts to help support the Hāna Farmers Market.  

A $398,000 grant was awarded to Hawaiʻi Community Lending for its Native Hawaiian Owner-Builder Project as part of a $1.36 million grants package approved today by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. 

The Purple Maiʻa Foundation, a non-profit technology education organization, is now accepting applications for Hawaiʻi FoundHer, an entrepreneur accelerator program focusing on wāhine-led businesses statewide.