Na Oiwi Naauao

The lack of documented Hawaiian stories and traditions is a concern for the Hawaiian community and cultural preservation globally. Factors contributing to this problem include the reliance on oral tradition, historical suppression, language barriers, and limited resources. Efforts have been made locally and globally to address the issue through initiatives promoting Hawaiian culture and language revitalization. While progress has been made, more work is needed to ensure the preservation and appreciation of Hawaiian traditions and heritage. It is challenging to provide an exact number of people affected by the lack of documented Hawaiian traditions, as the impact is not uniform across all aspects of Hawaiian culture. However, the entire Native Hawaiian population (approximately 527,000 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau) is likely to be affected to some degree, as the issue is linked to their cultural heritage and identity. The broader global community, including those interested in cultural preservation and diversity, is also impacted. The Hawaiian language was once on the verge of extinction, but efforts in recent decades have led to a resurgence. According to a 2016 report by the University of Hawai'i, there were over 18,000 speakers of the Hawaiian language in the state. While these statistics show progress in language revitalization and cultural preservation efforts, it's important to recognize that there is still a long way to go in fully addressing the problem of documenting and preserving Hawaiian traditions. Capturing the stories of our ancestors with the Hawaiian Immersion students as we meet with the elders on the island of Molokai.

To connect 9th-12th grade students in Hawaiian immersion schools with kupuna from the community to capture and preserve ʻohana stories and traditions. With the assistance of Hawaiian immersion students, they will use modern technology such as cameras and recorders to document talk story sessions with kupuna of the community. The students will capture the stories both in ʻolelo hawaii and english as the kupuna share their valuable insight. The students will have the opportunity to preserve the Hawaiian culture for generations to come. This solution aims to preserve and promote Hawaiian culture, targeting younger generations and anyone interested in Hawaiian heritage. It impacts lives by ensuring cultural preservation, enhancing education and awareness, fostering intergenerational connections, and empowering individuals. Overall, it contributes to the well-being and cultural continuity of the Hawaiian community, benefiting both those involved and those who learn from the shared knowledge. 

The target population we aim to directly and meaningfully improve comprises of families with Hawaiian ancestry, particularly the younger generations, as well as other individuals interested in preserving and learning about Hawaiian culture. This group is currently underserved due to a lack of accessible resources, knowledge transmission gaps between generations, and potential erosion of traditional customs and practices. Our solution addresses their needs in several ways: 

1)Cultural preservation: By documenting the knowledge and experiences of Hawaiian elders, we ensure that traditional practices and customs are maintained for future generations, preventing cultural loss.

2)Education and awareness: By engaging the community and educating people about Hawaiian culture, we foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of its unique traditions and values, which can enhance respect and pride in one's cultural identity.

3)Intergenerational connection: Involving Hawaiian immersion program students in this project helps bridge the generational gap, allowing for the exchange of wisdom, experiences, and cultural knowledge. This strengthens community bonds and encourages shared responsibility for heritage preservation.

4)Empowerment: Individuals who learn about their culture and history gain a stronger sense of identity, feel more connected to their roots, and are better equipped to advocate for the preservation and revitalization of their traditions.

By addressing these needs, our solution significantly improves the lives of the target population and ensures the continued vitality and well-being of the Hawaiian community.

The target population we aim to directly and meaningfully improve is the Native Hawaiian community in the islands of Hawaii. Native Hawaiians are an indigenous group that currently represent about 10% of the population in Hawaii. Native Hawaiians have a rich cultural heritage, but many experience systemic challenges and disparities. Despite their foundational role in the history and culture of the islands, Native Hawaiians face significant socioeconomic and health disparities, including higher rates of poverty, lower educational attainment, and shorter life expectancy compared to other groups in Hawaii. Any solution designed to assist Native Hawaiians should be grounded in a deep understanding of their unique needs, values, and cultural contexts. Dialogue and collaboration with other Native Hawaiian community leaders have begun and will continue with more discussion to include key stakeholders that are motivated to see the Native Hawaiian culture thrive again. We will develop a community advisory board composed of Native Hawaiian members to ensure that our approach is culturally sensitive, respectful, and appropriate. In this way, our program aims to be not just for Native Hawaiians, but also led by and grounded in the Native Hawaiian community. Our proposal strongly emphasizes indigenous-led solutions. We believe that the most effective and sustainable changes come from within the community. We are committed to ensuring that Native Hawaiians are not only beneficiaries but also leaders in the process. From planning to implementation and evaluation, Native Hawaiians will be at the forefront, guiding our efforts and ensuring that our work aligns with cultural values and needs. Through this approach, we aim to create a model of empowerment and self-determination that can serve as an example for other indigenous communities.

We are a product of the thriving Hawaiian Immersion Program and have grown passionate to continue this venture in capturing and documenting our Hawaiian traditions and knowledge that our elders hold. This kuleana has been taught to us as we grew older and understand the importance of our Hawaiian culture and language.  We are part of the Indigenous community, which provides us with an inherent understanding of its needs and aspirations. This intimate knowledge, combined with our professional expertise, places us in a unique position to execute this plan effectively. We're committed to using our skills and knowledge to uplift our community, economically and culturally, bridging the gap between tradition and modern business practices. We are Native Hawaiian, we speak the language, we uphold the cultures and the values, and we would like to see our culture thrive for many more years to come. We will continue to build a network of individuals and groups that will collaborate to ensure that the Native Hawaiian culture lives on.

My team and I face several challenges in our mission to uplift Indigenous Hawaiian communities through cultural preservation.

Financially, the lack of funding hampers the creation and expansion of Indigenous businesses. While we understand that Solve is not merely a fundraising platform, we believe that connecting with potential financial partners through Solve could provide crucial support to our efforts. Additionally, we'd appreciate guidance in navigating the complex world of grants and funding opportunities aimed at supporting initiatives like ours.

Technically, we grapple with limited resources and expertise in areas like technology integration and digital marketing. We believe that through Solve, we could connect with mentors and partners who can provide technical assistance, helping us to modernize our solution.

Culturally, the biggest challenge is to ensure that our business practices align with and respect our Indigenous traditions. We hope that through Solve, we can connect with other Indigenous communities that have successfully integrated their cultural heritage into grounded educational opportunities. 

Finally, regarding market barriers, we face difficulties in accessing wider markets due to our geographical location and limited networking opportunities. We hope that Solve can connect us with potential partners and market opportunities beyond our immediate geographical context.

Through SOLVE we will be connected to mentors, partners, and resources that can provide us with the necessary support to overcome these challenges. More than monetary aid, it's the network and knowledge-sharing that we value most about becoming a Solver. The opportunity to learn from and collaborate with diverse stakeholders dedicated to addressing global challenges aligns perfectly with our mission and aspirations.

Our Team Lead, Kuulei, has deep roots in the Hawaiian community. She was born and raised in Molokai and is of Indigenous Hawaiian descent. She has a profound connection to her cultural heritage and the land, carrying an innate respect and understanding for the traditions and values of the Hawaiian community.

Kuulei has worked extensively within the community, fostering relationships with community leaders, local businesses, and cultural practitioners. Her professional background in community development and her personal commitment to the preservation of Hawaiian culture make her a respected figure in the community.

Moreover, Kuulei's dedication to promoting positive outcomes for Indigenous learners of any age and context through culturally grounded educational opportunities within the Indigenous Hawaiian community isn't just professional; it's deeply personal. She understands the challenges faced by her community and is committed to using her skills and knowledge to address these issues. This intimate connection and commitment to her community is what drives our project and will be instrumental in its successful implementation.

Our solution bridges combines traditional indigenous knowledge preservation methods with modern technology. It is unique whereas it emphasizes the role of Hawaiian youth as cultural stewards, leveraging their tech-savviness and energy to capture, preserve, and share the wealth of knowledge that resides with the kupuna.

Traditionally, knowledge has been passed down through generations orally, and our solution will respects and incorporate this. However, we are innovating on this model by facilitating a more systematic and comprehensive collection of these oral histories. By pairing students with kupuna, we ensure an exchange of knowledge that is not only about history and traditions but also allow a dialogue about the lived experiences of the elders. This initiative provides an innovative approach to education, combining formal school learning with invaluable real-world, experiential learning from the wisdom of elders.

Using modern technology tools like digital cameras and voice recorders, we enable the preservation of these stories and traditions in a format that is easily accessible and shareable for future generations. With the inclusion of both 'ōlelo Hawai'i and English versions, the knowledge is accessible to both native speakers and those learning the language. This method of preservation allows the stories to be disseminated more broadly, increasing cultural understanding and appreciation both within and beyond the Hawaiian community.

The project actively engages and fosters collaboration between different segments of the community - schools, students, families, and kupuna. It recognizes and harnesses the unique strengths of each group, bringing them together in a way that enhances community solidarity and mutual respect. It also empowers students, giving them a crucial role in the preservation and continuation of their own culture, which is an innovative approach to youth development and cultural sustainability.

Our solution is innovative in the way it combines traditional knowledge transfer with modern technology, its approach to intergenerational learning and community engagement, and its method of knowledge preservation. We believe that this innovation will not only ensure the preservation of Hawaiian culture but also empower the youth, strengthen community ties, and foster a greater understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian culture both locally and globally.