Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

Solution Pitch 

The Problem

Hana is among Hawai'i's most remote and underserved regions with urban facilities a four-hour drive away. The community comprises 394 households, where over 71% of residents are Native Hawaiian (US Census 2020). The overall poverty rate is 22%, and the median household income is $44,059 (vs. $84,363 for Maui County).

The Solution

Hana provides meaningful work-based learning opportunities to Native Hawaiian youth in East Maui through a service-oriented education continuum to strengthen environmental stewardship, cultural identity, intergenerational relationships, and technical skills.

Stats

635 participants and immediate beneficiaries of the solution, including the primary service population of youth K-12 and recent graduates of Hana School. Through their applied learning in agriculture, building, and culinary, these youth serve the community, especially the kupuna (65+ grandparent generation).

Market Opportunity

The same isolation that has led to Hana's economic condition makes it a focal point for the retention of Hawaiian heritage. Thus, the solution provides place-based, culturally relevant solutions to the youth and community's need for economic self-sufficiency and food sovereignty.

Organization Highlights

Hana partners with over 20 other non-profit organizations and agencies each year to serve its rural and island communities. These partnerships range from promoting local events and services to providing produce to weekly and monthly meal services (primarily for elders in need); from collaborating, to hosting events and activities, to working together to develop and implement curriculum to teach and engage participants of all ages.

Hana’s closest partners are:

• Hana High and Elementary School
• Kula Kaiapuni O Hana
• Kahanu Garden
• Preserve (of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens)
• Hawaii Farmers Union United - Hana Chapter, and Ala Kukui

Partnership Goals

Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi seeks:

• Assistance in access to professional data management consultant services for successful program activities and partnership building along with building organizational capacity and the youth’s cultural and technical skills.
• Expertise in smoother transition towards data optimization.
• Advise on building relationships outside of the community to meet growing needs.
• Human resource support.