Here are the Ama OluKai beneficiaries that continue to impress us each and every day.
Ama OluKai: HLA
The HLA is a 501 (c)(3) association incorporated in the state of Hawai‘i that seeks to establish and maintain the highest standards of professional surf and open-water lifesaving. Their vision is to maximize the safety of the public in ocean and coastal waters throughout the state of Hawai‘i and provide public, professional, and governmental education in the field of ocean safety. Every summer, the HLA conducts rigorous training competitions for over 200 Junior Lifeguards between the ages of 12-17 years of age. The focus is on ocean awareness, education, open surf rescues, water rescues, first aid, CPR, and critical problem-solving.
Ama OluKai: Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation
The Edith Kanakaole Foundation (EKF) is a Hawaiian cultural-based non-profit established in 1990 to maintain and perpetuate the teachings, beliefs, practices, philosophies, and traditions of the late Luka and Edith Kanakaʻole. Their programs benefit the native Hawaiian community through cultural immersion activities, research, and the development of curriculum materials. They provide scholarships for native Hawaiian students, cultural workshops, restoration of culturally significant places and practices.
Ama OluKai: Maui Nui Makai Network
Founded in 2013 by seven community group members and three partner organizations in Maui County, MNMN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit made up of local stewards who care for the ocean and people in a way that honors Hawaii’s natural and cultural heritage while restoring its’ healthy ecosystems. Their Network recognizes communities as inherent leaders in improving Hawaii’s marine resource management thru collaborative partnerships and solutions.
Ama OluKai: ʻImiloa
ʻImiloa is a community outreach, multi-service organization of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo dedicated to serving local and visitor communities through quality education programs. ʻImiloa brings together members of the Hawaiian and astronomy communities to share a common vision for the future, bringing information about the cultural and natural history of Maunakea to students, teachers, our local residents, and visitors from around the world. ‘Imiloa links to early Polynesian navigation history and knowledge of the night skies, and today’s renaissance of Hawaiian culture and wayfinding with parallel growth of astronomy and scientific developments on Hawai’i Island.
Ama OluKai: Kuleana Coral Restoration
Kuleana Coral Restoration (Kuleana Coral) is an O‘ahu-based foundation that was founded by a team of Native Hawaiians, scientists, and ocean advocates. Its mission is to restore Hawai‘i's coral reefs to cultivate resilient marine ecosystems for the enrichment of the culture, environment, and economy of the people of Hawai‘i and for the world. The Kuleana team is working hard to put degraded reef ecosystems on a path to resilience so they can persist naturally and without human intervention.
Ama OluKai: Huli
A non-profit collective of ocean-based individuals who promote cultural awareness and environmental stewardship to the next generation of students through innovative outdoor education programs and hands-on conservation work.
Ama OluKai: Polynesian Voyaging Society
Founded as a non-profit organization in 1973, the Polynesian Voyaging Society seeks to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging. The organization supports the spirit of exploration through educational experiences that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves, one another, and their natural and cultural environments. A key sponsorship of the organization is the Hōkūle‘a, a lashed canoe that travels around the world sharing the message of caring for Island Earth.
Ama OluKai: Ho‘ōla Music & Cultural Arts
Ho’ōla Music & Cultural Arts is a 501c3 non-profit that provides mentorship to Hawai'i's youth through community belonging and experientially connecting keiki (children) to kupuna (ancestors) through Hawaiian values. Hoʻōla Music provides various services modeling these values to enrich the lives of our haumāna (students).
Ama OluKai: Manaiakalani
Founded in 2016, Manaiakalani is a non-profit cultural land preservation organization, located in Lahaina, Maui, whose mission is to share the mo’olelo (history) of place thru storytelling and learning, while recognizing the importance and significance of the region’s legacy to preserve it’s future.
Ama OluKai: Marine Institute
As the non-profit division of Maui Ocean Center, the Marine Institute is dedicated to environmental stewardship including the survival of coral reefs and sea turtles in Hawai’i.
Ama OluKai: Nā Kama Kai
Nā Kama Kai (Children of the Sea) empowers children by connecting them to the kai (ocean) and ʻāina (land) to nurture a deeper sense of aloha and kuleana for the natural environment and themselves. Founded in 2008 by pro-surfer Duane Desoto, Nā Kama Kai understands the immense value of the ocean environment, its vast resources, and its relationship to the land. They believe that connecting keiki (children) to the ocean will not only save lives but create a bond between the next generation, ensuring that the ocean will be taken care of.
Ama OluKai: Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation
The mission of the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation (HAF) is to support and sustain Hawaiʻi’s agricultural industry by addressing the critical needs and services of farmers and the industry in Hawai‘i. They also aim to better connect farmers with the larger community. Their work involves educational and outreach programs as well as technical, educational, and in-the-field support for farmers.
