Cultivate Kānewai, a Cultural Resource

Ka Papa Lo‘i o Kānewai

Ka Papa Lo‘i o Kānewai (Kānewai) is a Hawaiian cultural research and outreach program organizationally housed in Hawai'inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at UH Mānoa. In the ahupua'a (traditional land division) of Waikīkī, Kānewai is the only centrally located venue in Honolulu that provides a culturally place-based experiential learning center and a pu‘uhonua (sanctuary). Kānewai provides a venue for Hawaiian and Pacific cultural activities with hands-on experiences via experiential learning curricula and lessons.

A Refuge

Kānewai is a refuge for plants, ecosystems and people. With more than 30,000 visitors per year, the lo‘i is an important resource for the university and the surrounding community, providing experiential learning opportunities, a seed bank of healthy, clean kalo varieties, and a peaceful retreat in the middle of dense urban surroundings. It is a vibrant and integral part of the life of Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge’s programs in Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies.

Kānewai needs your kākoʻo (support)

We have embarked on building a cultural resource center at the loʻi. With support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which allocated $670,000 in grant funding plus another $350,000 in donations, we have been able to break ground and begin construction.

However, we need to raise an additional $200,000 to complete the project. These improvements will allow Kānewai to maximize its ability to reach as many students and visitors as possible and increase the value and depth of its curriculum.

Your gift will help Kānewai further enhance the educational experiences of the growing numbers of students, researchers, community members, and global visitors who come to the lo‘i.

Mahalo! E mālama pono!