OHA Revives ʻAha ʻŌpio Civic Engagement Program After 20 Years

RIMPAC Protested Across the Pae ʻĀina

On June 24, kiaʻi from the Hoʻopae Pono Peace Project, a coalition of organizations, gathered just after sunrise outside the U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters near Pearl Harbor to bless and honor the lands, creatures and people harmed by RIMPAC. Meanwhile, in Kailua and Kāneʻohe, members of Hui Aloha ʻĀina o Koʻolaupoko hung banners protesting RIMPAC from overpasses. On June 28, kiaʻi from Malu ʻĀina and Protect Pōhakuloa organized an afternoon RIMPAC protest along Bayfront Highway in Hilo.

RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific), is the biennial international military exercise conducted in Hawaiʻi. This year, it began on June 24 and will conclude July 31. Military personnel from 31 countries are currently in Hawaiʻi, at the invitation of the U.S., for five weeks of war games that will include over 30 surface ships, 206 aircraft, at least five submarines and about 30,000 personnel.

The protests are part of a larger, decentralized movement of organizations and individuals working to stop RIMPAC. The Stop RIMPAC website says, in part, “the bombing of a peaceful, neutral country under an illegal occupation has already gone on too long … killing dolphins and whales, destroying sacred places, and polluting the ocean with tons of toxic chemicals to better prepare for war is unacceptable.”

In addition to raising awareness of the harm that RIMPAC causes, the movement is circulating an “END RIMPAC” sign-on letter online. Key areas of concern outlined in the letter are RIMPAC’s negative environmental, social and political impacts.

Addressed to Gov. Josh Green, Hawaiʻi’s Congressional Delegation, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, and the heads of states of all countries participating in RIMPAC, the letter calls for the immediate and permanent termination of RIMPAC, restoration of the lands and waters affected by RIMPAC, and for the return of all Hawaiian lands in safe and healthy condition once leases expire.

RIMPAC includes amphibious operations, gunnery and missile exercises, anti-submarine warfare and a sinking exercise (SINKEX) of a decommissioned naval ship. The devastation to the marine ecosystem cannot be overstated.

According to the letter, during RIMPAC, a “take” (i.e., kill) permit is granted to the military by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) allowing for the deaths of over a million marine animals per cycle as acceptable collateral damage from the missiles, explosives and gunfire deployed during live-fire exercises.

SINKEX bombing exercises release large quantities of toxins into the water including PFAS, PCBs, asbestos and heavy metals that poison fish and contaminate the marine food chain. Turtle nesting areas and coral reefs are severely harmed by amphibious landing exercises. And sonar used during naval war games terrify and disorient cetaceans like whales and dolphins, often resulting in death.

The letter states that besides the devastating environmental consequences, sex trafficking increases dramatically during RIMPAC. Bars and strip clubs even hang “Welcome RIMPAC” banners outside their establishments during the exercises. For more information or to sign the letter go to endrimpac.org.

Oʻahu Rainwater Capture Program

Nonprofit Mālama Maunalua recently launched its Get Rain Ready Rainwater Capture and Incentive Program in collaboration with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Facility Maintenance. The program’s goal is to help Oʻahu’s communities reduce flooding and pollution in our waters.

They are currently seeking applicants from homeowners for the free direct-install program. Selected applicants will receive a free rain barrel installed on their property, a rain garden, or a native tree. Each of these rainwater capture solutions help to reduce storm water runoff within that watershed.

“Rainwater catchment systems, like rain barrels, are crucial for mitigating storm water runoff, especially during heavy rainfall events like we’ve been experiencing,” said Mālama Maunalua Executive Director Doug Harper. “Whether the homeowner chooses the rain barrel, a rain garden, or a native tree, these systems will work together across a watershed to capture and manage rainwater, protecting the waterways that feed into the ocean.”

Rainwater capture solutions are a cost-effective way for residents to protect Oʻahu’s precious groundwater, reduce localized flooding, mitigate storm water pollution in streams and the ocean, and potentially save money on water bills.

For more information or to apply, go to rainwaterhawaii.com and click the “Apply Now” button. The application window is open now through July 15. Program requirements and application instructions are on the website. To qualify for the rain barrel installation, applicants must have an existing rain gutter and downspout.

Blaisdell-Brennan Receives National Honors

Dr. Helen Kaleleonalani Blaisdell-Brennan, MD, has received multiple honors from the American Psychiatric Association (APA), including recognition as a Mental Health Equity Champion and Resident Fellow Mentor. In May she was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the APA and granted the 2026 APA Rural Psychiatry Award.

The Distinguished Fellow designation is among the organization’s highest honors. The Mental Health Equity Champion recognition highlights leadership in advancing culturally responsive care and reducing disparities in access, while the Rural Psychiatry Award recognizes outstanding contributions in rural and underserved communities.

Blaisdell-Brennan is a two-time past president of the Hawaiʻi Psychiatric Medical Association and has served on the boards of numerous organizations including: Ke Ola Mamo Oʻahu Native Hawaiian Health Care System; Hui Hānai; St. Andrew’s Schools; the Honolulu County Medical Society; and ʻAhahui o nā Kauka, the Native Hawaiian physicians association.

Now in private practice, she served for 17 years as a psychiatrist at Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center focusing on mental health equity, suicide prevention, physician workforce development, and improving access to care for rural and underserved populations.

Blaisdell-Brennan graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and Harvard College. She earned her medical degree from UH’s John A. Burns School of Medicine and served as chief resident at the University of California, Los Angeles Neuropsychiatric Institute.

Freitas Appointed to UH Board of Regents

Makai Freitas has been appointed to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents by Gov. Josh Green. The Board of Regents is responsible for the general management and oversight of the University of Hawaiʻi system.

Freitas is a distinguished labor leader with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union with more than 20 years of experience in organizational leadership and workforce advocacy. He has a track record of cross-sector collaboration, working with educators, public agencies and community organizations, and has spearheaded complex negotiations and strategic workforce development initiatives that have strengthened economic opportunities for Hawaiʻi families.

In addition to his leadership in the labor sector, he is the West Hawaiʻi representative on the Hawaiian Homes Commission within the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. In this role, Freitas advocates for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, focusing on affordable housing, community development and educational advancement.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and the University of Arizona, Freitas brings a balanced perspective of statewide advocacy and local community insight. He resides in Waimea with his wife, Aulani, and their two daughters.

“Higher education plays a vital role in Hawaiʻi’s future. I look forward to strengthening the university’s mission of teaching, learning and community service,” Freitas said.

Hoʻomaikaʻi to Pūʻōhala’s First Graduating Class!

Kanakaʻole Named DLNR Chair

Ryan Kanakaʻole has been appointed by Gov. Josh Green to serve as chairperson and director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), effective July 7, 2026. Kanakaʻole replaces Dawn Chang who has retired.

Kanakaʻole has been acting chairperson since December 2025. Prior to that, he served as DLNR first deputy. He is on the advisory committee for military leased lands and represented DLNR on the Mauna Kea Stewardship Oversight Authority, Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Agribusiness Development Corporation Board and the Commission on Water Resource Management.

Before joining DLNR, Kanakaʻole was a deputy in the Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General. From 2017 to 2023, he was a deputy attorney general for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Kanakaʻole is from Waiʻōhinu on Hawaiʻi Island. He graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, has a BA in Political Science from UH Hilo, and a Juris Doctor, along with a certificate in Native Hawaiian Law, from William S. Richardson School of Law at UH Mānoa.

“Serving the people of Hawaiʻi is an enormous responsibility, one I take very seriously. Our public trust duty to protect the cultural, historical and life-giving resources of these islands is the legacy we pass on to our children. I remain committed to leaving this place better than we found it,” Kanakaʻole said.

Keaulana Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

On May 16, Waikīkī Film Awards, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Film Alliance, presented world-renowned Mākaha waterman Brian Keaulana with a Hawaiʻi Lifetime Achievement Award.

Born and raised in Mākaha, Keaulana is one of the most influential watermen of all time and is widely recognized for revolutionizing ocean safety practices, including the use of jet ski rescue techniques.

Over the decades, Keaulana’s ocean expertise in the waters of the west side was parlayed into work in the film industry when he was tapped to provide critical support and consultation to major film and television productions including Waterworld (1995), 50 First Dates (2004), Jurassic World (2015) and Hawaiʻi Five-O (2010-2020).

He has also acted, with appearances in movies including The Big Bounce (2004) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). And he played himself for two seasons on Baywatch: Hawaiʻi (1999-2001). Keaulana has also worked as a producer, a stuntman, and stunt coordinator in numerous other productions.

His work in the film industry and commitment to the Hawaiian culture and community inspired Keaulana to co-found the International Cultural Arts Network (ICAN), a nonprofit dedicated to elevating, educating and empowering diversity in Hawaiʻi’s television and film industry focusing on Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

950 Acres of Kāneʻohe

ʻĀinapreneur Network Launched

Changemakers Hawaiʻi, an ʻŌiwi-led nonprofit, is launching the ʻĀinapreneur Small Business Network, a new community- rooted initiative designed to help Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs grow businesses that are connected to place, guided by values, and built for shared prosperity.

The network brings together small business owners, aspiring founders, creatives, makers, workforce participants, mentors, funders, and community partners to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Members will gain access to peer connection, mentorship, business education, capital-readiness support, resource sharing, visibility opportunities, and collaborative partnerships.

“For too long, our local founders have had to choose between growing their business and staying true to their cultural values. With the launch of the ʻĀinapreneur Network, we’re proving you can do both,” said Changemakers Hawaiʻi Founder Olani Lilly. “This is a collective of leaders who are as committed to the health of our ʻāina as they are to their bottom line.”

Grounded in the “4 Ps” – Place, People, Purpose, and Prosperity – the ʻĀinapreneur Network is built to help entrepreneurs move ideas into action while keeping capital, relationships, and opportunity circulating within Hawaiʻi.

“Capital should be a relationship, not just a transaction,” Lilly said. “Our goal is to see every dollar recirculate back into our islands, building a regenerative economy that honors our home.”

Changemakers Hawaiʻi hosted a virtual soft launch on June 25 for entrepreneurs and partners interested in becoming founding members.

For more info go to https://changemakershawaii.org/ainapreneurs

Another Attack on Pacific Marine Monuments

1 of 2

The Trump Administration wants to open Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and Sanctuary to commercial fishing. – Courtesy Photos

On June 11, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation intended to allow commercial fishing in the Mau and Hoʻomalu Zones of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, as well as in the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.

The order threatens critical species habitat within and around the monument and disregards Native Hawaiian cultural practices, beliefs and conservation efforts in the region. Environmental law firm Earthjustice will take legal action in response.

Deputy Managing Attorney David Henkin from Earthjustice’s Mid-Pacific Office asserts that not only would commercial fishing in marine monuments be disastrous for the environment, it does not help the fishing industry. “Without fishing in the monuments, U.S.-based fisheries hit their catch limits for tuna every year. Safe havens allow marine life to maintain healthy populations and prevent corporate greed from stripping the ocean of life,” he said.

Research shows that no-fishing zones in marine monuments significantly boost fish stocks. Establishing marine monuments as safe havens allow fish to grow larger and reproduce more successfully which leads to a spillover effect in which excess fish migrate to adjacent waters ultimately increasing commercial catch rates.

This latest order follows similar attacks on the environment by the Trump Administration, including the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument in early 2025. In that case, Earthjustice sued on behalf of Kāpaʻa, the Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, and the Center for Biological Diversity, and in August 2025 a federal district court struck down the resumption of commercial fishing in the monument.

The post News Briefs | July 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

On behalf of Kuakini Family 1 LP, Pacific Consulting Services, Inc. (PCSI) is preparing a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) in support of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the planned Kuakini Affordable Housing Project in the North Kona District on the Island of Hawaiʻi at TMK (3) 7-5-017:005. Forty-nine affordable housing units are planned to be constructed on the 14-acre parcel, along with a multi-purpose room, parking, and related site improvements. The proposed project site is a vacant, previously undeveloped parcel. The development is being supported by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development. PCSI requests that persons with a knowledge of traditional cultural resources, practices, legends, or moʻolelo, on or in the vicinity of the property contact us to share your information and manaʻo. We seek to understand if the proposed development of the property could impact traditional cultural resources or practices. If you, or any persons you know, are willing to provide information for use in the CIA, we would like to invite you to participate in the study. If you are interested in participating, if you know of someone we should contact, or if you would like to receive additional information, please contact Shannon Gomez by email at info@pcsihawaii.com. Mahalo for your kōkua.

Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis: DHHL Waiohuli Water System Project, Makawao, Maui

Pacific Legacy, Inc., on behalf of PBR Hawaiʻi, is conducting a Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Waiohuli Water System Project, Waiohuli Ahupuaʻa, Kula Moku, Maui Island [TMKs: (2) 2-2-002:Pors. 084 and 082]. The project involves the development and construction of three groundwater wells and supporting infrastructure to create long-term viable water sources and foster sustainability for Maui communities. This includes excavation at the well sites, storage tank, water transmission main, and a service/potential emergency access road on 115 acres. Pacific Legacy, Inc. seeks to consult with individuals and organizations who possess knowledge regarding:

• Cultural associations, moʻolelo, or legendary accounts associated with Waiohuli Ahupuaʻa.
• Past and present land use or traditional gathering practices within and near the project area.
• Cultural resources which may be impacted by the proposed project, including traditional resource gathering sites, traditional access trails, wahi pana, and/or burials.
• Any other cultural concerns related to traditional Hawaiian or other cultural practices within or near the proposed project area.
• Referrals to other knowledgeable individuals who may be willing to share their cultural knowledge of the proposed project area and wider Waiohuli Ahupuaʻa.

Those interested in participating are invited to contact Makanani Bell at 808-263-4800 or bell@pacificlegacy.com.

Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis: The Kekaha Landfill Waimea, Kauaʻi

On behalf of the County of Kauaʻi, Solid Waste Division (County), Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi (CSH) is conducting a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) and Ka Paʻakai Analysis (KPA) for the Kekaha Landfill Cell 3 Vertical Expansion project. The County proposes to develop Cell 3 to gain additional airspace capacity at the Kekaha Landfill located in Kekaha, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi.

The proposed project would vertically expand the existing landfill within its current 74-acre waste disposal footprint to provide approximately 10 additional years of municipal solid waste disposal capacity while a new landfill is planned elsewhere in the County. Improvements include reshaping waste within the Phase I area, installing an overliner and leachate collection and removal system, increasing landfill elevations, and connecting the expansion to existing landfill gas, leachate, and stormwater management systems. The project would also include tsunami mitigation armoring around portions of the landfill perimeter to reduce coastal hazard impacts. CSH is seeking manaʻo regarding:

• Traditional cultural practices and resources within the project area and surrounding Waimea Ahupuaʻa
• Potential impacts to cultural sites, practices, and resources
• Referral to knowledgeable kūpuna, kamaʻāina, and cultural practitioners

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact CSH Cultural Researcher, Tehani Baculpo by email at tbaculpo@culturalsurveys.com no later than August 7, 2026.

Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis: Prince Kūhiō Gateway Project, Honouliuli, Oʻahu

Pacific Legacy, Inc., on behalf of Kuʻai Halewai, LLC, is conducting a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the proposed Prince Kūhiō Gateway Project in Honouliuli Ahupuaʻa, ʻEwa Moku, Oʻahu [TMK: (1) 9-1-017:010 and (1) 9-1-017:041]. The project involves the development of commercial space and kūpuna housing on 22.7 acres that will directly benefit the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). Pacific Legacy, Inc. seeks to consult with individuals and organizations who possess knowledge regarding:

• Cultural associations, moʻolelo, or legendary accounts associated with Honouliuli Ahupuaʻa.
• Past and present land use or traditional gathering practices within and near the project area.
• Cultural resources which may be impacted by the proposed project, including traditional resource gathering sites, traditional access trails, wahi pana, and/or burials.
• Any other cultural concerns related to traditional Hawaiian or other cultural practices within or near the proposed project area.
• Referrals to other knowledgeable individuals who may be willing to share their cultural knowledge of the proposed project area and wider Honouliuli Ahupuaʻa.

Those interested in participating are invited to contact Makanani Bell at 808-263-4800 or bell@pacificlegacy.com.

Ka Paʻakai Analysis: The DWS Kamole Water Treatment Plant Water Storage Reservoirs, Hāliʻimaile and Hāmākuapoko, Maui

At the request of Munekiyo Hiraga and on behalf of the Department of Water Supply (DWS), Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi (CSH) is conducting a Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the DWS Kamole Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Water Storage Reservoirs project, Hāliʻimaile and Hāmākuapoko Ahupuaʻa, Makawao, Maui (TMK: (2) 2-5-004:039 por.). The DWS proposes construction of two raw water reservoirs with a combined raw water storage capacity of approximately 145 million gallons (445 acre-feet). The reservoirs are intended to improve resiliency during drought conditions by storing surplus surface water from the Wailoa Ditch during high-flow periods and providing an emergency water source for wildfire response. The reservoirs will be located adjacent to the existing Kamole WTP and designed to meet or exceed Hawaiʻi DLNR Dam Safety criteria (HAR §13-190.1). The proposed project also includes pipelines to convey water by gravity from the Wailoa Ditch to the reservoirs and from the reservoirs to a booster pump station within the WTP site, from which the water would be pumped to the WTP screen basin prior to filtration. CSH is seeking manaʻo regarding:

• Traditional cultural practices and resources within the project area and surrounding Hāliʻimaile and Hāmākuapoko Ahupuaʻa.
• Potential impacts to cultural sites, practices, and resources.
• Referral to knowledgeable kūpuna, kamaʻāina, and cultural practitioners.

To provide input, please contact CSH Cultural Researcher, Tehani Baculpo by email at tbaculpo@culturalsurveys.com no later than 31 August 2026.

Ka Paʻakai Analysis: Haleakala Hwy Project, Makawao, Maui

Pacific Legacy, Inc., on behalf of Commercial Properties of Maui, is conducting a Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the proposed 11047 Haleakalā Highway Project, Makaʻehu Ahupuaʻa, Kula Moku (modern tax district of Makawao), Island of Maui [TMKs: (2) 2-3-007:035 (por.), (2) 2-3-009:066 (por.), and (2) 2-3-009:013 (por.)]. The project is evaluating groundwater wells and related water infrastructure on approximately 207.49 acres to provide a reliable potable and agricultural water source supporting existing agricultural operations, long-term stewardship, water reliability and resiliency, and future permitted agricultural, residential, community-serving, and other potential uses of the property. Pacific Legacy, Inc. seeks to consult with individuals and organizations who possess knowledge regarding:

• Cultural associations, moʻolelo, or legendary accounts associated with Makaʻehu Ahupuaʻa.
• Past and present land use or traditional gathering practices within and near the project area.
• Cultural resources which may be impacted by the proposed project, including traditional resource gathering sites, traditional access trails, wahi pana, and/or burials.
• Any other cultural concerns related to traditional Hawaiian or other cultural practices within or near the proposed project area.
• Referrals to other knowledgeable individuals who may be willing to share their cultural knowledge of the proposed project area and wider Makaʻehu Ahupuaʻa.

Those interested in participating are invited to contact Makanani Bell at 808-263-4800 or bell@pacificlegacy.com.

The post Public Notice | July 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

All persons having information concerning two unmarked burials on TMK: (2) 2-1-008:099 in Pāpaʻanui Ahupuaʻa, Honuaʻula District, Island of Maui, are requested to contact Kim Mooney, ASM Affiliates, at (808) 294-0735, kmooney@asmaffiliates.com, or 149 Maʻa St, Suite 100, Kahului, HI 96732, or Leinoa Kong, DLNR-SHPD Burial Sites Program at (808) 652-1510 or Leinoa.Kong@hawaii.gov.

Appropriate treatment of the remains will occur in accordance with HRS, Chapter 6E, respective to these burial sites. The landowner intends to preserve both burials in place, following the preparation of Burial Treatment Plans in consultation with any identified descendants and with the approval of the Maui-Lanai Island Burial Council. All interested parties should respond within thirty (30) days of this notice and provide information to DLNR-SHPD adequately demonstrating lineal descent from these specific Native Hawaiian remains, or cultural descent from ancestors once residing or buried in the same ahupuaʻa or moku.

Burial Notice: Lahaina, Maui

Two burial sites containing human skeletal remains (State Inventory of Historic Places #s 50-50-03-10069 and -10070) were identified by Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi, Inc. during an archaeological inventory survey for the 764, 766, & 700 Front St. Project within Paunau Ahupuaʻa, Lahaina District, Maui, TMK: (2) 4-6-009:009. Per Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §6E-43 and Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) §13-300, these are considered previously identified burial sites. Based on the context, the burials are historic and post-date 1878. The project area is located within LCA 8452:4.1 to Analea Keohokālole, LCA 303:1 to Kuakamauna, E., and LCA 327:2 to Kaauwai, Z. The project proponent is Miyaki Family Limited Liability Partnership, c/o Jay Miyaki, 600 Queen St., Unit C-4, Honolulu, HI 96813, Tel: (808) 522-1042. The decision to preserve in place or relocate shall be made by the Maui/Lānaʻi Islands Burial Council in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) and any recognized lineal and/or cultural descendants (HAR §13-300-33). Appropriate treatment shall occur in accordance with HAR §13-300-38. All persons having knowledge of these human remains are requested to contact Leinoa Kong, SHPD Burial Sites Specialist, at 130 Mahalani St., Wailuku, HI 96793, Tel: (808) 652-1510, Email: Leinoa.Kong@hawaii.gov. Interested parties shall respond within 30 days of this notice and file descendancy claim forms and/or provide information to SHPD adequately demonstrating descent from the burials or ancestors buried in the same ahupuaʻa.

Cultural Impact Assessment: Kaiāulu O Nāpili Workforce Housing Project, Mailepai Ahupuaʻa, Kāʻanapali

On behalf of Ikaika Ohana, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) is preparing a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) for the proposed Kaiāulu o Nāpili Workforce Housing Project. The proposed project will be located on approximately 14.99 acres in the ahupuaʻa of Mailepai and a small portion of ʻAlaeloa in Kāʻanapali Moku on Maui, TMK (2) 4-3-001:096 (por.). The proposed development is intended to provide affordable housing in West Maui and includes a mix of single-family homes, multi-family apartments, and senior housing units. Related improvements such as a community center, laundry room, internal roadways, utilities, and landscaping will be provided. The project will also involve the installation of underground utility infrastructure. As part of the CIA process, SWCA is seeking consultation with individuals and organizations knowledgeable about the project area’s past and present cultural uses, including cultural traditions, gathering practices, and any concerns regarding potential effects of the project on cultural practices in the vicinity. This input will help inform the assessment and ensure that traditional and customary practices are considered during the environmental review process. Please contact SWCA at hawaiiculturalconsultation@swca.com or (808) 437-8974. Mahalo for your kōkua.

Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the Proposed Kaiminani Workforce Housing Project

Pacific Legacy, Inc., on behalf of Kaimana Environmental Solutions, LLC, is conducting a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the Proposed Kaiminani Workforce Housing Project, ʻOʻoma 1 Ahupuaʻa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaiʻi [TMK: (3) 7-3-010:056 and (3) 7-3-010:061 (por.)]. The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development is proposing to develop workforce rental housing, which would include single-family and multi-family rental housing units on 27.5 acres. Pacific Legacy, Inc. seeks to consult with individuals and organizations who possess knowledge regarding:

• Cultural associations, moʻolelo, or legendary accounts associated with ʻOʻoma Ahupuaʻa.
• Past and present land use or traditional gathering practices within and near the project area.
• Cultural resources which may be impacted by the proposed project, including traditional resource gathering sites, traditional access trails, wahi pana, and/or burials.
• Any other cultural concerns related to traditional Hawaiian or other cultural practices within or near the proposed project area.
• Referrals to other knowledgeable individuals who may be willing to share their cultural knowledge of the proposed project area and wider ʻOʻoma Ahupuaʻa.

Those interested in participating are invited to contact Makanani Bell at 808-263-4800 or bell@pacificlegacy.com.

Ka Paʻakai Analysis for Mahi Pono Photo-Voltaic Solar Farm, Pūlehunui

Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi (CSH), on behalf of Mahi Pono, LLC, is conducting a Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the proposed Mahi Pono Photo-Voltaic Solar Farm Project, Pūlehunui, Wailuku, Maui (TMK: (2) 3-8-004:001-0002 por.). Mahi Pono, LLC is proposing to install an 8-Megawatt (MW) Photovoltaic (PV) solar farm and related improvements on TMK: (2) 3-8-004:001-0002 (por.). Parcel 001 is approximately 3,422 acres in size while the boundaries of the project area on portion -0002 total approximately 29.3-acres. The project will likely involve ground-altering activities to install footings and improvements for the solar array. CSH seeks your knowledge, insight, and input on the following topics:

• Your knowledge of traditional cultural practices within the proposed project area and Pūlehunui Ahupuaʻa
• The different natural resources associated with your specific cultural practice
• Referrals to other kūpuna, kamaʻāina, and traditional cultural practitioners knowledgeable about the proposed project area and Pūlehunui Ahupuaʻa
• Your comments or thoughts on the potential impacts the proposed project may have on cultural sites, practices, and resources within the proposed project area and Pūlehunui Ahupuaʻa

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact CSH Cultural Researcher, Chantellee Spencer by email at cspencer@culturalsurveys.com no later than August 5, 2026.

Ka Paʻakai Analysis: Mahi Pono HECO Interconnect Substation Project

Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi (CSH), at the request of Munekiyo Hiraga, on behalf of Mahi Pono, LLC, is conducting a Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the Mahi Pono HECO Interconnect Substation Project, Wailuku Ahupuaʻa, Wailuku District, TMK (2) 3-8-006:001 por. Mahi Pono, LLC is proposing to relocate an electrical substation and related improvements on an approximately 1.7-acre site in Central Maui which is a portion of a larger parcel identified as TMK: (2) 3-8-006:001. The substation needs to be relocated prior to the expiration of the existing Sugar Mill substation easement agreement. The proposed replacement substation will used by Mahi Pono to access the HECO grid infrastructure for their farming operations. Project related ground disturbance will include the installation of footings and improvements for the substation components. CSH seeks your knowledge, insight, and input on the following topics:

• Your knowledge of traditional cultural practices within the proposed project area and Wailuku Ahupuaʻa
• The different natural resources associated with your specific cultural practice
• Referrals to other kūpuna, kamaʻāina, and traditional cultural practitioners knowledgeable about the proposed project area and Wailuku Ahupuaʻa
• Your comments or thoughts on the potential impacts the proposed project may have on cultural sites, practices, and resources within the proposed project area and Wailuku Ahupuaʻa

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact CSH Cultural Researcher, Kellen Tanaka by email at ktanaka@culturalsurveys.com or Chantelle Spencer at cspencer@culturalsurveys.com.

The post Public Notice | June 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

Honoring the Lives of MMIWGM in Hilo

POL Defends Health Scholarship Program

On May 15, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC), the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), and Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP filed a motion to intervene on behalf of Papa Ola Lōkahi (POL) in a federal lawsuit brought by the conservative organization Do No Harm to challenge the constitutionality of the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP).

In recognition of the U.S. government’s trust responsibilities to Native Hawaiians, Congress established the NHHSP more than 30 years ago as part of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act to increase the number of Hawaiian health care professionals in medically underserved areas across Hawaiʻi.

“The program exists because Congress recognized a critical need and a trust obligation to address severe healthcare shortages in Native Hawaiian communities,” said Makalika Naholowaa, NHLC executive director.

Papa Ola Lōkahi jointly administers the program with the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Since its creation, the program has helped more than 300 scholars pursue health care profession education.

“This program helps strengthen healthcare access in medically underserved communities across Hawaiʻi, and we remain committed to that work,” said Papa Ola Lōkahi CEO Sheri Daniels,

“The U.S. has acknowledged and affirmed its trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians for decades,” added NARF Executive Director John Echohawk. “Defending these promises is a matter of justice and dignity and is critical for the wellbeing of Native communities.”

Two ʻŌiwi Named 2026 FPF Fellows

The First People’s Fund, a national organization dedicated to uplifting Indigenous artists and culture bearers, recently announced their 2026 fellows and two ʻŌiwi are among them: Pua Case was named a Cultural Capital (CC) Fellow, while Nāwāhineokalaʻi Lanzilotti was named a Native Performing Arts (NPA) Fellow.

Case, from Hawaiʻi Island, is a kumu hula, public school teacher and Maunakea kiaʻi. She has interwoven her college education with traditional teachings from her kūpuna. Active in the Maunakea movement for the past decade, Case currently serves as the lead coordinator of Mauna Kea Education and Awareness.

The CC Fellowship offers financial support and guidance to culture bearers and artists rooted in their communities and committed to passing on ancestral knowledge to future generations.

Lanzilotti is a sound artist and director from Mānoa, Oʻahu, and founder of nonprofit Pulse Oceania – an Indigenous performance incubator rooted in aloha ʻāina. Her art explores transformations of sound inspired by the movement of light across the clouds, rain and ʻāina using vocals, electronics and the cello.

The NPA Fellowship helps Native Artists create and perform in theatre, music, dance, etc. It provides network-building, professional development training, and funding to work toward a career in performing arts.

Since 1999, First Peoples Fund has honored over 550 artists, distributing over $10 million. This year, 35 artists in three categories were named FPF fellows, each of whom received a $10,000 grant to pursue their work.

Celebrating Traditional Storytelling

On June 20, the PAʻI Foundation will present a special oral storytelling event, Ola Nā Moʻolelo, featuring Kealoha Kelekolio at the PAʻI Arts & Cultural Center in Kakaʻako.

Long before adopting the Latin writing system introduced to Hawaiʻi by missionaries, our history, stories and genealogies were memorized and carried forward from one generation to the next.

In this vein, Kelekolio, a respected cultural practitioner and storyteller, invites audiences to step into the rich world of Hawaiian oral tradition as he presents an evening of moʻolelo that have been passed down over centuries.

Kelekolio will guide listeners on an immersive journey, bringing to life the epic battle between Pele and her sister, Nāmakaokahaʻi, and captivate them with the fascinating world of kupua – the demi-gods who embody the connection between nature and the divine.

Throughout his career in performing arts – which includes theatre, dance, and Hawaiian cultural education – Kelekolio has performed with Tau Dance Theatre appearing on stages across the continent including Lincoln Center. He also worked as a storyteller at Disney Aulani Resort.

For information or to purchase tickets go to paifoundation.org.

EPA Rejects Hawaiʻi’s Clean Air Plan

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rejected Hawaiʻi’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan on May 15, illegally overriding the state’s plan to clean up haze-causing pollution from aging oil-burning power plants on Hawaiʻi Island and Maui.

Without the plan in place, 8,500 tons of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides will continue to pollute the air around these plants each year, adversely affecting nearby communities and resulting in dirtier air at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and Haleakalā national parks.

“This action is another in a string of EPA efforts to keep old, inefficient power plants running no matter the costs to the people and places those facilities harm,” said National Parks Conservation Association Clean Air Program Director Ulla Reeves.

Under the Clean Air Act, states develop plans every 10 years to reduce the haze pollution that obscures views in national parks and wilderness areas. Hawaiian Electric (HECO) proposed, and agreed, to retire plants instead of installing the required pollution controls.

But then in August 2025, HECO reversed course asking the EPA to release it from its commitments, citing speculative “grid reliability” concerns. EPA accepted those claims without independent analysis.

“Once again, the law and facts don’t matter at Trump’s EPA, which would rather protect the fossil fuel industry instead of our environment,” said Isaac Moriwake, managing attorney for Earthjustice’s Mid-Pacific Office.

“What’s worse is that the EPA is letting HECO renege on its own promise to shut down these plants, which are among the costliest, most unreliable plants in the nation.”

“Their legal theory won’t hold up in court, but in the meantime, families will keep breathing the pollution the Clean Air Act was supposed to clean up,” added Abi Vijayan, senior climate attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

New ʻŌiwi-Owned Soil Lab Opens in Honolulu

Pieper Named Senior VP at ASB

Billy Pieper has been named senior vice president, director of commercial banking at American Savings Bank (ASB). Pieper has more than 20 years of experience in the financial industry. Prior to joining ASB in 2021, he held positions at Barclays Bank and Bank of Hawaiʻi.

At Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Pieper was a stand-out athlete in both football and baseball and won a football scholarship to UCLA. After earning his BA, he played minor league baseball for a couple of years, then enrolled at UH Mānoa earning an MBA.

Pieper serves as board chair for Hawaiʻi Community Lending and RiseHI Collective. He also serves on the boards of ʻIolani Palace, Positive Coaching Alliance, and ʻAha Pūnana Leo, and on the advisory council for Housing Hawaiʻis Future.

He has also served on the boards of Pacific Islanders in Communications and Ke Aliʻi Pauahi Foundation, as a Bishop Museum trustee, and a member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s advancement committee.

Pieper is an Omidyar Fellow, a Pacific Century Fellow, and in 2024 was named a Hawaiʻi Business magazine “20 for the Next 20” leader.

Lipe Appointed Poʻo Kula of KS Kapālama

Dr. Punihei Lipe has been appointed poʻo kula (headmaster) of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama (KSK) overseeing the 600-acre campus that enrolls some 3,200 haumāna in grades K-12.

She was selected after a rigorous search that spanned months and was informed by input from more than a thousand community members including current haumāna, kumu, parents, and alumni.

Lipe has an extensive background in Hawaiian culture-based education and more than two decades of leadership within the UH system, serving in various roles including: director of Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office; director of the Institute for Hawaiian Language Research and Translation; and director of the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Campus Center.

Her own educational journey began at Pūnana Leo o Honolulu. From there she attended Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Waiau before enrolling at KSK. After graduating, Lipe attended UH Mānoa earning a BA in Hawaiian studies and later a Ph.D. in educational administration. She also holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Chaminade University. She begins her new role on June 15.

Award-Winning Film From ʻŌiwi Producer Lucero

Paper Bag Plan, an independent film from Blue Sun Pictures produced by Executive Producer Keʻalohi Lee Lucero, and written and directed by her husband, Anthony Lucero, is now streaming internationally.

The film has won 17 awards on the film festival circuit and was screened at Consolidated Theatres at Ward in September 2025. The poignant and moving drama tells the story of a terminally ill father who teaches his wheelchair-bound adult son to bag groceries in preparation for a life of independence once he is gone.

Lucero grew up in Kaʻaʻawa on Oʻahu, graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and went on to UH Mānoa earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication. While attending school she interned at Hawaiʻi Public Television and eventually become the station’s youngest director.

After college, she moved to the continent to pursue a career in the film industry, starting as an assistant editor on Baywatch Hawaiʻi and eventually working her way up to co-executive producer of America’s Got Talent.

Paper Bag Plan can be viewed on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and iTunes.

Race Honors Late Waterman Kalā Kukea

McClellan Named 2026 Communicator of the Year

Makana McClellan, director of communications for Gov. Josh Green since 2022, has been named the 2026 Communicator of the Year by the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC). She is the first person from Hawaiʻi to receive this honor.

NAGC advances excellence in government communications across federal, state, county, local, military and tribal governments, and recognizes leaders who demonstrate innovation, professionalism and exceptional service in public sector communications.

McClellan leads external communications for the governor’s office, coordinating with public information officers across every department in the executive branch. Under her leadership, a more unified statewide communications network has been established, improving coordination and consistency across agencies.

Prior to working for the governor, McClellan held positions at Shriners Children’s Hospital and The Queen’s Health Systems.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, she has a BA in journalism from Hawaiʻi Pacific University and an MBA from Chaminade. She served on the state Board of Education for four years, was recognized in 2025 with a President’s Leadership Award from PRSA Hawaiʻi, and received a Women Who Mean Business award from Pacific Business News in 2020.

Feds Reverse NH Education Cuts – For Now

Following a request by Sen. Brian Schatz in early May, U.S. DOE Secretary Linda McMahon has agreed to keep Native Hawaiian educational programs fully funded for at least another year.

Some $46 million in federal money that Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, previously secured in Congress is guaranteed to continue funding more than 60 early childhood education sites across Hawaiʻi, along with home visiting programs for keiki under 5, workforce development for parents, and Hawaiian language immersion programs. These programs serve more than 3,000 families.

“This is good news for Hawaiʻi,” said Schatz. “This money helps thousands of young kids develop learning skills and gives Native Hawaiian families more affordable child care options.”

The looming threat of federal funding cuts put a number of Native Hawaiian programs at risk – including the popular Tūtū and Me program operated by nonprofit Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF). In April the organization announced the closure of 17 of its 25 sites.

In a formal statement in response to the May 7 announcement, PIDF CEO Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni expressed gratitude to Schatz but cautioned, “we still do not know how much funding will ultimately be released, when funds would become available, or whether PIDF will receive the support necessary to sustain all current programs, staffing, and sites.

OHA Trustees Visit Maui and Kauaʻi

During the month of May, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Board of Trustees and select staff traveled to the islands of Maui and Kauaʻi for the organization’s first two annual island community meetings of 2026. While on Maui during the week of May 4, trustees traveled upcountry to the Waiohuli Community Center on Hawaiian Homes Land in Kula, and also visited the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) in Kahului – described as the artistic and educational heart of the community. In the top photo, MACC President and CEO Art Vento provided OHA with a personalized tour of the center. During the week of May 11, trustees traveled to Kauaʻi. There, they had the opportunity to visit the Peʻe Kauaʻi Farm Site on the west side of the island managed by nonprofit Kumano i ke Ala which serves as a community space for cultural education and kalo farming. They also visited the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) at Barking Sands, where they were met by Kaulana Mossman, PMRF community planning liaison officer, and a small hui of PMRF staff. In the bottom photo, Kauaʻi and Niʻihau Trustee Dan Ahuna spoke briefly to the group about Native Hawaiian concerns relative to the military’s land stewardship and questions around whether military bases make Hawai’i more – or less – safe. – Photos: Nelson Gaspar

The post News Briefs | June 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

Kulaiwi Archaeology, LLC is preparing a burial treatment plan (BTP) for the protection of an archaeological site containing human skeletal remains (Site 50-10-55-30025), located within the existing Kalani Honua Retreat, Keʻekeʻe Ahupuaʻa, Puna District, Island of Hawaiʻi (TMK: [3] 1-2-09: 029). The site was identified during a re-survey of the property conducted by Haun & Associates (Haun and Henry 2014). The landowner, Retreat Village at Kalani Kai, LLC. plans to preserve the Site 30025 burial, along with 10 additional non-burial sites (or portions of them) identified during the re-survey. These sites will be preserved within a series of 9 proposed preservation areas located throughout the project area. All persons having information on traditional cultural practices and places located within Keʻekeʻe Ahupuaʻa and the vicinity of the project parcel are hereby requested to contact Solomon Kailihiwa, Kulaiwi Archaeology, LLC, P.O. Box 1213, Captain Cook, HI 96704, (808) 493-8884 within thirty (30) days of this notice.

Burial Notice: ʻOʻoma Ahupuaʻa, North Kona District

All persons having information concerning unmarked burials on TMK: (3) 7-3-009:022 (por.) in ʻOʻoma 2nd Ahupuaʻa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaiʻi, are requested to contact Uʻilani Kūaliʻi at ASM Affiliates (808) 969-6066, ukualii@asmaffiliates.com, 507-A E. Lanikaula St. Hilo, HI 96720 and/or Traven Apiki, DLNR-SHPD Burial Sites Program (808) 933-9322, 40 Poʻokela St., Hilo, HI 96720.

Names known to be associated with ʻOʻoma ahupuaʻa include Arakaki, Channels, Hall, Hoʻohuli, Kaakau, Kahananui, Kahelekahi, Kalua, Kama, Kamaka, Kameheu, Keanaʻaina Koanui, Kuahini, Lilinoe, Mamali, McDonald, Medeiros, Mitchell, Nenio, Punihaole.

Appropriate treatment of the remains will occur in accordance with HRS, Chapter 6E, respective to this burial site. The landowner intends to preserve the burial in place, following the preparation of a Burial Treatment Plan in consultation with any identified descendants and with the approval of the Hawaiʻi Island Burial Council. All interested parties should respond within thirty (30) days of this notice and provide information to DLNR-SHPD adequately demonstrating lineal descent from these specific Native Hawaiian remains, or cultural descent from ancestors once residing or buried in the same ahupuaʻa or moku.

Cultural Impact Assessment: Ala Wai Community Park Clubhouse Renovation and Restoration Project

Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi (CSH), at the request of Gerald Park Urban Planner, on behalf of the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Design and Construction (DDC), is conducting a cultural impact assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the Ala Wai Community Park Clubhouse Renovation and Restoration project, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa, Honolulu (Kona) District, Oʻahu, TMK: (1) 2-7-036:005.

The DDC proposes to repair and renovate the Ala Wai Community Park Clubhouse with the long-term objective of preserving the historic structure. Situated on a recreational lot in the Honolulu neighborhood commonly referred to as McCully-Mōʻiliʻili, the lot is bounded by Kapiʻolani Boulevard to the north, Ala Wai Canal to the south, Ala Wai Field and Park to the east, and McCully Street to the west.

CSH seeks your knowledge, insight, and input on the following topics:

• Your knowledge of traditional cultural practices within the proposed project area and Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
• The different natural resources associated with your specific cultural practice
• Referrals to other kūpuna, kamaʻāina, and traditional cultural practitioners knowledgeable about the proposed project area and Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
• Your comments or thoughts on the potential impacts the proposed project may have on cultural sites, practices, and resources within the proposed project area and Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact CSH Cultural Researcher, Kellen Tanaka by email at ktanaka@culturalsurveys.com or Chantellee Spencer at cspencer@culturalsurveys.com.

Cultural Impact Assessment: Karsten Thot Bridge Replacement Project, Wahiawā, Oʻahu

On behalf of the Hawaii Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) is preparing a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) for the replacement of the historic Karsten Thot Bridge in Wahiawā, Oʻahu. The bridge, which runs along Kamehameha Highway and crosses the Kaukonahua Stream, requires replacement due to its advanced age and structural deterioration. The proposed project will incorporate the bridge’s character-defining historic features into the new structure.

SWCA is seeking community input regarding cultural and historic knowledge of the area surrounding the bridge and its ahupuaʻa, including past and present land use, cultural traditions, gathering practices, and any concerns related to cultural practices in the vicinity of the project area. This input will help inform the CIA and ensure that traditional and customary practices are considered during the environmental review process. Please contact SWCA at hawaiiculturalconsultation@swca.com or (808) 437-8974. Mahalo for your kōkua.

Cultural Impact Assessment: Hawaiian Electric Haleakalā Resiliency Project

Pacific Consulting Services, Inc. (PCSI) is preparing a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) and Ka Paʻakai Analysis in support of an Environmental Assessment (EA) being prepared in compliance with Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 343 for the Hawaiian Electric Haleakalā Resiliency Project. The Project is intended to improve the resilience of Hawaiian Electric’s transmission and distribution facilities in the upper elevations of Haleakalā by making them less vulnerable to the harsh weather conditions. The Project goals include reducing outages for customers on the circuit and reducing the potential for harmful interactions between facilities and protected endemic seabirds that nest on Haleakalā. Most of the Project occurs on state land and a small portion is within Haleakalā National Park. Roughly 2.7 miles of existing power lines on wood poles are proposed to be replaced within portions of TMKs (2) 2-2-007:005, 006, 008, 013, and 014; and 2-3-005:001 and 002. Several alternatives for replacing the existing poles are being considered. Placing the transmission lines within conduit near the ground is the preferred alternative. PCSI is seeking community input regarding cultural traditions, legends, and practices pertaining to this area. Additional project information is available at pcsihawaii.com/haleakala. A link is available at that website to contact the project team to request more information or volunteer to share your knowledge. You may also email Shannon Gomez at info@pcsihawaii.com. Mahalo!

Cultural Impact Assessment: Proposed West Maui Greenways Project, Lāhainā and Kāʻanapali, Maui

On behalf of the County of Maui, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), ASM Affiliates (ASM) is preparing a Cultural Impact Assessment study for the proposed West Maui Greenway (referred to hereafter as the ʻproposed project’). The proposed project would provide a multi-use trail extending from Lāhainā Pali Trailhead in Ukumehame Ahupuaʻa along the coast to Līpoa Point in Honolua Ahupuaʻa, traversing several Tax Map Key (TMK) parcels: (4)1-2-002:001, 1-3-002:999. 1-3-005:029, 037; 1-3-009:015, 0198; 1-3-011:999; in the Lāhainā and Kāʻanapali Districts, Island of Maui.

The DPR is proposing to develop a 25-mile-long, multi-use trail along the coast of northwest Maui, connecting Ukumehame to Līpoa Point. The project alignment is divided into seven segments and will be implemented in phases. In addition to walking and bike paths, the greenway will also provide a safe alternative transportation option to using the Honoapiʻilani Highway. The design plans have not yet been finalized, with three of the seven project alignment segments having both alternative and preferred routes. More information can be found at: westmauigreenway.org

The purpose of this CIA is to inform an Environmental Assessment and aims to document and assess the potential effects this project may have on significant cultural, natural, and historical resources, as well as traditional customary practices. ASM is in search of kamaʻāina who may know about the area’s cultural resources and or cultural uses of the project area; and past or ongoing traditional customary practices that have or continue to occur in the proposed project area. ASM is also seeking input regarding strategies to prevent or mitigate impacts on culturally valued resources and or traditional customary practices. If you have and are willing to share such information, please contact Candace Gonzales at cgonzales@asmaffiliates.com, phone (808) 969-6066, mailing address ASM Affiliates 507-A E. Lanikaula Street, Hilo, HI 96720. Mahalo.

Cultural Impact Assessment And Ka Paʻakai Analysis Notice: Kalaoa 5 Ahupuaʻa, North Kona, Hawaiʻi Island

Kulaiwi Archaeology, LLC is conducting a cultural impact assessment (CIA) and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for TMK: (3) 7-3-004:002, Kalaoa 5 Ahupuaʻa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaiʻi. The project proponent, Palamanui, plans to construct the Kalaoa Well Site No. 2 on the subject parcel. All persons having information on traditional cultural practices and places located within Kalaoa Ahupuaʻa and the vicinity of the project parcel are hereby requested to contact Solomon Kailihiwa, Kulaiwi Archaeology, LLC, P.O. Box 1213, Captain Cook, HI 96704, (808) 493-8884 within thirty (30) days of this notice.

The post Public Notice | May 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

OHA Delegation Travels to D.C.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele led a delegation to Washington, D.C., the week of April 20 to engage with congressional leaders and Department of Defense officials on critical issues impacting Native Hawaiians, including military-leased lands in Hawaiʻi and proposed federal funding cuts to Native Hawaiian programs. The delegation met with Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation, bipartisan lawmakers on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, and other senior federal leaders. The delegation included (l-r): Associate General Counsel Rozelle Agag, Trustee Keoni Souza, Interim Chief Administrator Summer Sylva, Kahele, and Trustee Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey. – Courtesy Photo

Kamāwaelualani and UIHI Collaborate on Survey

Kamāwaelualani Corp and the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) are collaborating on a survey to better understand how traumatic brain injury (TBI) impacts American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or both. The information gathered will help improve culturally relevant services, prevention efforts, policy, and healing support for Indigenous communities. Kamāwaelualani is a Kauaʻi-based nonprofit that stewards Missing Murdered Native Hawaiian Women, Girls and Māhū research and education efforts here in Hawaiʻi. UIHI is a nonprofit committed to decolonizing data for Indigenous people by Indigenous people. The survey, which takes about 15 minutes to complete, begins with a vetting process to ensure that survey questions are being answered by actual human beings (not bots) who meet the requirements to take the survey. Individuals who complete the survey will be offered a gift card. To complete the survey, scan QR code or go to uihi.org.

Conservation Grants for Maui Nui

The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) approved recommendations in March from the state Legacy Land Conservation (LLC) Commission and the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) to award up to $7 million in state grants for five conservation projects across Maui and Molokaʻi.

LLC grants provide state funding for land acquisition, supporting the preservation and protection of pristine coastal areas, culturally significant shorelines, native forest habitat and lands that support traditional practices and community access. The five projects, and their respective grantees, are:

Honolua Bay (Save Honolua Coalition): A 17.8-acre collection of parcels, both coastal and ma uka, in Lahaina, Maui. The area supports critical habitat, cultural sites and public use. Protection will enable coordinated access management, natural resource restoration, and cultural preservation.

Mālama Kaunakakai (Hui Waʻa o Molokaʻi): About 23 acres on Molokaʻi’s south shore including wetlands, native waterbird habitat, and a traditional canoe landing area. The project will protect open space and establish a permanent base for Molokaʻi’s voyaging community.

Kalokoʻeli Shoreline (Ka Honua Momona International): A 7.2-acre stretch of shoreline parcels on Molokaʻi adjacent to Kalokoʻeli Fishpond. The area forms a cultural and ecological corridor supporting traditional aquaculture, shoreline habitat and community-based stewardship.

East Maui Coastal Forest (DLNR DoFAW): More than 540 acres along Maui’s Hāna Highway. This mixed native forest provides habitat for endangered plants, native seabirds and the Hawaiian hoary bat, and protects streams and nearshore ecosystems. The acquisition will maintain critical watershed functions.

Haneoʻo ʻĀina (Ke Ao Haliʻi): About 115 acres in Hāna, Maui, including areas with significant cultural and historical significance, including burial sites and other wahi pana. The project will help preserve Hāna’s rural character, protect cultural landscapes, and support stewardship and education.

The legislature established the LLC grant fund in 2005 to provide permanent, dedicated funding for land conservation through a portion of the real estate conveyance tax. Since then, the program has helped protect 37,000 acres statewide.

Hawaiian Scholarship Program Challenged

Last month, Bloomberg Law reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) scholarship for Native Hawaiians has been hit with a federal lawsuit by “Do No Harm,” a Virginia-based group that fights affirmative action efforts in health care and medical education.

Do No Harm claims that the HHS Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program violates both the due process and equal protection clauses of the Fifth Amendment. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The organization, comprised of conservative-leaning medical professionals and “concerned citizens,” was formed in 2022 By Dr. Stanley Goldfarb to “expose and advocate against the invasion of identity politics in healthcare” and to “ensure that harmful ideologies are not degrading the quality of medical education” according to its website.

Claiming they are fighting to protect health care, Do No Harm exists to “counteract divisive trends in medicine, such as ʻDiversity, Equity and Inclusion’ and youth focused gender ideology.”

The challenge directly impacts funding for nonprofit Papa Ola Lōkahi (POL), founded in 1988 to improve the comprehensive health and wellbeing of Native Hawaiians. Responding to the challenge, POL CEO Dr. Sheri Daniels said, “Efforts to dismantle programs like this ignore both the historical context and the ongoing need to safeguard equitable access to care throughout Hawaiʻi.”

The group’s board includes conservative affirmative action opponent Edward Blum whose organization, “Students for Fair Admission” filed the lawsuit challenging Kamehameha Schools’ Hawaiian preference admissions policy last August.

FEMA Assistance After Kona Low Storms

Federal disaster assistance is now available to help individuals and households recover from the impacts of the Kona Low storms and subsequent flooding that occurred March 10-24. Via a Major Disaster Declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is authorized to extend its individual assistance program to residents of Hawaiʻi, Maui and Honolulu counties.

Those with homeowners or renters’ insurance should file claims as soon as possible, as FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. FEMA can assist with damages not covered by insurance.

In addition, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are also available for businesses of any size and nonprofits. Like FEMA, SBA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance.

To apply for FEMA assistance, go to DisasterAssistance.gov or call their toll-free hotline at 1-800-621-3362. To apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan go to sba.gov/disaster. For assistance call 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

The deadline to apply for FEMA and SBA disaster assistance is June 14, 2026.

Supporting Flood Recovery in Waialua

17 Tūtū and Me Sites to Close

Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) has announced that 17 of its Tūtū and Me sites will be closed at the end of August after it lost $15 million in federal funding due to the assault on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs by the Trump administration.

Across the board federal funding cuts for Native Hawaiian programs has hit hard, affecting everything from education to health to housing. Tūtū and Me currently has 24 sites across five islands. Hardest hit will be ʻohana in remote, rural communities.

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool is an internationally recognized, high-quality early childhood education program dedicated to supporting the critical early years of childhood development using Hawaiian culture-based curriculum and instruction. Since it began in 2001, the program has served tens of thousands of keiki and their caregivers throughout the pae ʻāina.

Hawaiʻi already has a severe shortage of early childhood education providers and facilities, especially for keiki ages 0-2. The extreme downsizing of Tūtū and Me due to funding leaves a glaring gap in services, especially to ʻohana in neighbor island communities.

Kamakau Haumāna Travel to NYC

Ten middle school haumāna from Ke Kula ʻo Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School (Kamakau) in Heʻeia, Oʻahu, recently traveled to New York City (NYC) to participate in the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) conference March 11-14, 2026.

This is the third year that Kamakau has participated in the conference – the only Hawaiʻi middle school to do so. MMUN is a multi-day global education experience designed to nurture the next generation of leaders through peace education. The program helps students develop empathy, critical thinking, negotiation and leadership skills.

This year, for the first time, MMUN hosted the United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues as part of their conference, representing the perspectives and positions of 16 different Indigenous People groups from around the world.

As part of this learning experience, the Kamakau students had the opportunity to “represent” the following Indigenous People groups: The Wiradjuri (Australia); the Māori (Aotearoa); the Sami (Russian Federation); the Cree (Canada) and the Greenlandic Inuit. MMUN topics follow the UN agenda, focusing on real-world global issues like sustainable development, human rights, peace security, and international law.

This year, students were assigned to study one of two topics: 1) Financing the future: the financial needs of Indigenous Peoples to support their actions for biodiversity, climate and the protection of Mother Earth and; 2) Guiding principles for the implementation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights to autonomy and self-government.

Kamakau’s MMUN program leads are Coordinator Kuʻulei Akaka and Kumu Kaipoʻi Kelling. The students are grounded in a Hawaiian worldview and from this foundation they build on ʻike kūpuna such as mālama ʻāina and mālama lāhui to deepen their understanding of the perspectives of the Indigenous Peoples they were assigned to represent.

“Hawaiʻi’s independence was recognized by England and France on Nov. 23, 1843, via the Anglo-Franco Proclamation which affirmed Hawaiʻi as an independent nation among other civilized nations. Hawaiʻi was the first non-European nation recognized,” noted Kelling. “Diplomacy is a legacy rooted in our moʻolelo and now we have a road to follow and to pave at the same time. Timoteo Haʻalilio, who led the delegation to Europe, spent a good amount of time in New York City and to have our haumāna in the same space is surreal.”

Normalizing ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at HoMA

In February, the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) marked Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi by creating its first-ever publication in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi to accompany a featured exhibition.

“We wanted to celebrate Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at the same time we were mounting Toshiko Takaezu: Worlds Within and brainstorming ways we could enhance the exhibition experience,” said Lesa Griffith, HoMA senior PR and communications manager. “The artist’s close connection to ʻāina and the influence the Hawaiian landscape has on her work made the show the ideal focus for a self-guided tour in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, with multiple layers of connection and meaning.”

The exhibition, which runs through July 26, highlights the work of the late Toshiko Takaezu, an internationally recognized artist born in Pepeʻekeo and raised on Maui. Known for reimagining the ceramic vessel as a form of artistic expression, she approached her sculptures as three-dimensional abstract paintings, using clay as her canvas. Takaezu was an instructor at Princeton University from 1967 to 1992.

“Visitors to the show have said they appreciate the brochure and the way it added meaning and connection for them,” said Griffith.

As HoMA approaches its centennial in 2027, visitors can expect more initiatives that bring a Hawaiian perspective to the interpretation of the museum’s collection, exhibitions, and programs.

Cazimero to Receive Honorary Doctorate

Renowned musician and Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Hawaiʻi during Leeward Community College’s fall convocation.

The UH Board of Regents approved the honor at its April 16 meeting.

Cazimero is known for his leadership of Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua, his influence on generations of haumāna, and his celebrated career in Hawaiian music. His work has helped strengthen the continuity and global reach of Hawaiian cultural traditions.

Throughout his career, he has been a steadfast partner to UH, supporting its mission to nurture knowledge, improve cultural identity and inspire future generations. Across UH’s 10 campuses, he has shared his time and expertise through guest lectures, workshops, performances and mentorship. Cazimero’s engagement in cultural learning and mentorship has helped deepen students’ experiences with ʻike Hawaiʻi.

The honorary doctorate recognizes individuals of national or international distinction whose contributions have had a significant impact in areas such as business, public service or scholarship.

Got a Minute for Mele?

Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, a nonprofit that aims to accelerate aloha ʻāina through the education, composition and presentation of mele and other cultural practices, has recently introduced a new social media series, Mele Minute.

Designed to use mele as a teaching tool using social media, over the next few months, Mele Minute will promote the educational value of mele through 1-minute social media “challenges” incentivized with prizes.

The idea is to spend 1 minute a day to test your knowledge of Hawaiian mele. Each post will present the lyrics to a mele (in both Hawaiian and English), pose a series of questions about the mele (e.g., places mentioned in the mele), and then share additional moʻolelo about the wahi pana or history represented in the mele. The final slide asks a special question.

People who take the time to answer have a chance to win a prize. The first Mele Minute post dropped in mid-April and the prize was a pair of tickets to Hawaiian Airlines’ May Day concert.

To participate, check out @kahulileolea on IG or search #meleminute.

The post News Briefs | May 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

ʻŌiwi Women Who Mean Business

For 28 years, Pacific Business News’ Women Who Mean Business program has honored some of the outstanding women shaping Hawaiʻi’s business landscape. To mark the award’s 28th anniversary, this year, 28 women were honored representing a range of industries, from finance to education. Among these mana wāhine are seven ʻŌiwi whose professional excellence, vision, and commitment to their organizations and communities are creating lasting, positive impacts. The honorees were celebrated at a gala on March 12. The Hawaiian women in the 2026 cohort of Women Who Mean Business include (top row, l-r): Lindsay Ah Loo, executive director of The Nakupuna Foundation; Phyllis Freitas, director of sales at Hawaiian Telcom; Charmaine Hauanio-Kuewa, divisional director of development at The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division; Jan Kaeo, owner and master trainer for Dale Carnegie Training Hawaiʻi and Guam; (second row, l-r): Genesis Nicklaw, senior vice president of operations at Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union; Makana Reilly, director of advancement and communications at Hawaiian Community Assets; and Attorney Crystal Rose, founding partner of the legal firm Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild, who was named PBN’s 2026 Career Achievement Honoree. – Photos: Courtesy of PBN

EPA Gives Navy a Pass on Red Hill

The Star-Advertiser reported last month that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the U.S. Navy is no longer required to meet with the community regarding the Red Hill water crisis – an announcement that came as a surprise to members of the Community Representation Initiative (CRI).

The CRI is a panel comprised of 10 community members – formed under a 2023 EPA consent order – who were tasked to engage directly with the Navy in the aftermath of the water crisis. The consent order was issued as an enforcement action against the Navy in response to its handling of the 2021 crisis during which some 20,000 gallons of jet fuel were released into the environment from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

The fuel spill contaminated the drinking water of some 93,000 Oʻahu residents, sickening people and killing pets. Per the consent order, the CRI met weekly and the Navy was required to attend one meeting per quarter (four per year). However, the Navy did not attend any of the required meetings in 2025.

According to the article, CRI member Michell Poppler said she felt that the EPA allowed the Navy to pull out of the meetings because the Navy did not like answering challenging questions. Former CRI Chair Marti Townsend added, “this really cements the EPA as an apologist and a shield for the Navy as opposed to a regulator [that] holds them accountable.”

Daniel New Ke Ola Mamo ED

Ke Ola Mamo, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System serving Oʻahu, has named Maile Daniel as its new executive director. Daniel has nearly two decades of leadership experience in nonprofit service, behavioral health, and program administration.

Prior to joining Ke Ola Mamo, Daniel served as program administrator for Steadfast Housing Development Corporation, overseeing statewide programs, supervising multidisciplinary teams, and working with government agencies and community partners to support housing stability and behavioral health services.

“Maile brings both heart and experience to this role,” said Karen Fetzer, chair of the community relations committee. “Her commitment to serving Oahu’s Native Hawaiian communities, combined with her proven leadership and insight into the challenges facing the individuals and families in Hawaiʻi, make her exceptionally well-suited for this position.”

Daniel holds a bachelor’s degree in business management, and master’s degrees in social work and business administration from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is also a licensed social worker and a certified psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner.

Under her leadership, Ke Ola Mamo will build on its foundation to expand access, elevate care, and strengthen community – ensuring that Native Hawaiian health and wellbeing are supported through culturally grounded services and strategic partnerships.

Yeaman Selected as Newest KS Trustee

Eric Yeaman has been selected by the state Probate Court as the newest member of Kamehameha Schools’ Board of Trustees. He fills the vacancy created upon the closing of Robert Nobriga’s term, which ended on June 30, 2025.

Yeaman has more than three decades of executive and board leadership experience across Hawaiʻi’s financial services, telecommunications, energy, healthcare, real estate and investment sectors. He is currently the founder and managing partner of Hoku Capital LLC, a firm that provides strategic advisory services and pursues strategic investments in Hawaiʻi-based companies as well as national private equity and real estate funds.

Previously, Yeaman served as president and CEO of First Hawaiian Bank, as president and CEO of Hawaiian Telcom, and as chief financial officer at Kamehameha Schools. He has also held senior leadership roles at Hawaiian Electric Company and Hawaiian Electric Industries.

In addition to his professional experience, Yeaman currently serves on the boards of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Friends of Hawaiʻi Charities, and the Hawaiʻi Asia Pacific Association. He previously served on the Kamehameha Schools Audit Committee and on the boards of The Queen’s Health Systems and The Queen’s Medical Center.

Born and raised in Kona, Yeaman is a graduate of UH Mānoa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting with distinction. He is a certified public accountant in the State of Hawaiʻi.

Avian Malaria Affects All Birds

A new UH Mānoa study shows that avian malaria can be transmitted by nearly all forest bird species in Hawaiʻi, which explains why the disease is present almost everywhere mosquitoes are found. The research, published February 10, found avian malaria at 63 of 64 sites tested statewide, including areas with very different bird communities.

“Avian malaria has taken a devastating toll on Hawaiʻi’s native forest birds, and this study shows why the disease has been so difficult to contain,” said Christa Seidl, mosquito research and control coordinator for the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, who conducted the research.

Avian malaria damages birds’ red blood cells, leading to anemia, organ failure, reduced survival and, in some species, death. Studies show that ʻiʻiwi have a 90% mortality rate if infected.

“We often think first of the birds when we think of avian malaria, but the parasite needs mosquitoes to reproduce and our work highlights just how good it has gotten at infecting them through many different birds,” Seidl said.

The study analyzed blood samples from more than 4,000 birds across Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island.

The broad ability of avian malaria to infect and spread explains why the disease is so widespread. The findings also suggest there are few, if any, mosquito-infested habitats free from transmission risk. Worse, mosquito-free habitats are rapidly disappearing as warming temperatures allow both mosquitoes and avian malaria to develop in former refuges.

IJA Fellows Arakaki and Chai-Andrade

Two ʻŌiwi, Connor Arakaki and Kalani Chai-Andrade, are among the nine emerging journalists selected to the Indigenous Journalists Association’s (IJA) 2026 Indigenous Journalism Fellowship cohort for undergraduate and graduate students from Indigenous communities who aspire to careers in broadcast, radio, print, visual and digital media.

Each student is paired with an experienced Indigenous journalist as their mentor. Over the course of the program, fellows receive virtual training and mentorship designed to strengthen reporting skills, build confidence and prepare them for their careers.

Arakaki, from ʻEwa Beach, Oʻahu, is a student at Yale University double majoring in ethnicity, race, and migration and English. During the 2024-25 school year, Arakaki was editor-in-chief of the Yale Herald, the university’s weekly magazine, and more recently, was a reporter for Honolulu Civil Beat and the Yale Investigative Reporting Lab. Their writing can also be found in The Nation, The New Journal, Hawai’i News Now, DIAGRAM, HIFILM, and elsewhere.

Chai-Andrade, from Keaʻau, Hawaiʻi Island, is a photojournalist at KVAL-TV based in Eugene, Oregon. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and cinema studies from the University of Oregon and is currently pursuing a master’s in advertising and brand responsibility. He specializes in sports photography and has also worked with the Northwest Indigenous Language Institute in Eugene and reported on local communities in Accra, Ghana (West Africa).

The fellowship culminates at the 2026 Indigenous Media Conference in Portland, Oregon, where fellows will create content across digital, social, and multimedia platforms highlighting the importance of the ongoing work of Indigenous media.

A Collection of Writings by Meyer

Hoʻopono: mutual emergence is a collection of writings and ruminations by Indigenous scholar, Hawaiian systems thinker, and author, Dr. Manulani Aluli Meyer.

Since 1998, Meyer has shared her Indigenous knowledge-based concepts and lived principles with thousands of people through hundreds of talks, gatherings and conferences. Her teachings and ideas have been published, cited and delivered through a variety of national and international journals, books, lectures, videos and conferences around the globe.

The manaʻo shared in this touching and meaningful collection helps “ground us” in this fluid time of global uncertainty. From a Hawaiian perspective, Meyer posits that we are in a species-based “huliau,” an opportunity for humanity to welcome change, and experience a shifting of priorities and possibilities that seeks a “mutual emergence” of our best and most generous and joyful selves in relationship to the living world.

The articles and writings in hoʻopono: mutual emergence lay the foundation for an expansive and inclusive system of thinking, being, and doing based on ʻike Hawaiʻi. The book also includes photographs, tables and content that triangulate and unpack a variety of comparisons and observations. Her writings encourage readers to believe in their own capacity to internalize ideas and welcome change, growth and inclusion.

Published in 2025 by ʻAi Pōhaku Press, hoʻopono: mutual emergence is available at Native Books.

Chief of War Wins at Spirit Awards

The cast of the Apple TV series Chief of War, headlined by Jason Momoa and co-written by Momoa and Paʻa Sibbett, was named “Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series” at the 41st Annual Spirit Awards Ceremony at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California, in February.

The Spirit Awards are presented by Film Independent, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering independence and inclusivity in visual storytelling, and in amplifying the voices of independent storytellers and celebrating their diversity, originality and uniqueness of vision.

The award celebrated the predominantly Pacific Island cast that includes, in addition to Momoa: Charlie Brumbly, Luciane Buchanan, Cliff Curtis, Brandon Finn, Siaosi Fonua, Roimata Fox, Ioane Goodhue, Moses Goods, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Benjamin Hoetjes, Siua Ikaleʻo, Keala Kahuanui-Paleka, Mainei Kinimaka, Kaina Makua, Temuera Morrison, Branscombe Richmond, Te Kohe Tuhaka, and James Udom.

Curtis, Goods and Kahuanui-Paleka were on hand to accept the award. Curtis read a statement by Sibbett that said, in part, “Quite often, Pacific artists are asked to play a background role in other people’s stories … with Chief of War we weren’t asked to play small-time criminals or hula dancers. We weren’t cast as ʻBouncer Number Two’ or as musicians. We were asked to showcase people [and] language never [before] captured on screen in this way.”

Toves Named a Champion for Change

Kaylah Toves from Oʻahu has been named one of six 2026 Champions for Change (CFC) – a Native youth leadership initiative of the Center for Native American Youth designed to highlight positive stories of impact from Indigenous communities.

Toves, who is Kānaka ʻŌiwi and Acoma Pueblo, is a senior at Cornell University double majoring in government and American studies with a minor in American Indian and Indigenous studies.

At Cornell, she serves as a student leader and advocate, acting as co-president of the university’s American Indian Science and Engineering Society and its Hawaiʻi Club, and as a student ambassador for the Brooks School of Public Policy’s Cornell in Washington program. She also conducts legal research with Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute analyzing gender-based inequities across the United States.

During Fall 2024, Toves served as a legislative intern in Sen. Brian Schatz’s Washington, D.C., office supporting policy research and constituent services on issues impacting Hawaiʻi and Indigenous communities. She aspires to pursue a career in public policy in Washington, D.C.

Use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in Homes Increasing

A recent column submitted by UH Hilo’s Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani to the Star-Advertiser notes that ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is the fastest-growing non-English language spoken in Hawaiʻi homes according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

From 2016 to 2024, the number of residents age 5 and older speaking Hawaiian at home rose from 18,400 to 27,338 – a 48% increase (+8,938 speakers). No other non-English language matched this growth.

The surge is most dramatic in Hawaiʻi County, where speakers jumped 125.6% (from 5,000 to 11,279). Maui and Kauaʻi counties combined grew 48.3% (3,500 to 5,191), while Oʻahu saw a 9.8% rise (9,900 to 10,868). Among children ages 5-17, Hawaiian now ranks as the most spoken non-English home language across the pae ʻāina.

This revival began in 1983 with ʻAha Punana Leo preschools, operating in defiance of the 1896 law banning the use of Hawaiian as a medium of instruction in schools. After the ban’s repeal in 1986, Hawaiian medium pathways expanded from Pūnana Leo into public schools via kula kaiapuni (Hawaiian immersion) programs.

Chock Wins Olympic Medals for Skating

Olympic ice dancer Madison Laʻakea Te-Lan Hall Chock is the first and only Native Hawaiian to ever win a medal at the Winter Olympics.

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in February, she and Evan Bates, her husband and skating partner, took the silver medal in ice dancing. The couple was just 1.34 points behind the gold medal winners, France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron – a ranking that was disputed by fans.

This was not Chock’s first Olympic medal. She is also a two-time gold medalist in the team event at both the 2022 and 2026 Olympics. Since she began competitive skating in 2006 at the age of 14, Chock has won more than 40 medals for skating – 24 of which are gold medals. She is a seven-time U.S. Champion and a three-time World Champion.

Born in Redondo Beach, California, Chock began skating at the age of 5, and, as her interest and prowess developed, her ʻohana moved to Michigan so she could receive top tier coaching. In a USA Today article, Chock expressed her joy at being able to be part of the Winter Olympics as a Hawaiian saying, “It means so much to have that representation of Hawaiʻi on the ice.”

UH Survey Seeks Input from Mahiʻai

Co-cropping – the cultivation of multiple plant species in the same field to increase yields and increase biodiversity – is at the cutting edge of science. Long a traditional Hawaiian practice, western research now recognizes the complex interactions between crops in polyculture systems.

However, the infinite variations in crop combinations, spacings, timing, and management mean that a western science framework will never be able to examine all options. This is where farmer observations and accumulated knowledge play a critical role.

To identify how intercropping indigenous plants affects Hawaiian cultivation characteristics such as soil water retention, crop yield, soil fertility and input requirements, University of Hawaiʻi student researcher Ella Hazen, supported by Dr. Noa Lincoln of the Indigenous Cropping Systems Laboratory, has developed a 10-minute survey and is seeking responses from mahiʻai (farmers) and others who plant traditional Hawaiian crops together (co-crop) here in Hawaiʻi.

This voluntary survey is anonymous and open to individuals 18 years or older. Survey responses will help researchers compile high-quality data, which will be distributed back to the community to make traditional Hawaiian co-cropping information more accessible.

To participate in the survey go to: surveymonkey.com/r/6RQZXFZ

11th Annual Manu o Kū Festival

The post News Briefs | April 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

All persons having information concerning the inadvertent discovery of human skeletal remains on TMK: (3) 6-5-001:003 por., Waimea, South Kohala, Island of Hawaiʻi are requested to contact Traven Apiki, DLNR-SHPD Burial Sites Program traven.apiki@hawaii.gov, (808) 933-7653, 40 Poʻokela St., Hilo, HI 96720. Names historically associated with the general area include: Iese Aa, Kauhine, Kupa, Kanehailua, Kuli, Kaʻilianu-Bell-Lindsey. Appropriate treatment of the remains will occur in accordance with HAR §13-300-40. The remains will be preserved in place following the preparation of a burial site component of a preservation plan in consultation with any identified descendants. All interested parties should respond within thirty (30) days of this notice and provide information to DLNR-SHPD demonstrating lineal descent from these specific Native Hawaiian remains, or cultural descent from ancestors once residing or buried in the same ahupuaʻa.

Cultural Impact Assessment: Māhualauhīnano – Keaukaha Resiliency Center For Learning

On behalf of Hui Hoʻoleimaluō and Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo Public Charter School, Hoaʻāina Heritage Services (HHS) is conducting a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) study to inform an Environmental Assessment (EA) being prepared pursuant to HRS Chapter 343 for the proposed Māhualauhīnano – Keaukaha Resiliency Center for Learning. The project is planned within a 10.001-acre area comprising a portion of TMK: (3) 2-1-013:146 and the entirety of 2-1-015:010 and 011, all of which are owned by Kamehameha Schools located in the ʻili kūpono of Honohononui, Waiākea Ahupuaʻa, South Hilo District, Island of Hawaiʻi. As part of this CIA, Hoaʻāina Heritage Services, LLC is seeking to consult with kamaʻāina who are familiar with the project area and who may have knowledge of cultural or historical resources, as well as traditional and customary practices (past or ongoing) associated with the area, or that may be affected by the proposed project. If you are willing to share such information, please contact Lokelani Brandt at lbrandt@hoaainaheritage.com. Mahalo.

Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis Notice: Pia Valley Education Center, Niu ʻIli, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa, Oʻahu

On behalf of Protect and Preserve Hawaiʻi, Inc., and Group 70 International, Inc. (G70), SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) is preparing a Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the proposed Pia Valley Education Center Project. As part of this work, SWCA seeks consultation with individuals and organizations knowledgeable about the past and present cultural uses of the project area. The proposed Pia Valley Education Center will be located on approximately 3 acres in the ʻili of Niu, within the ahupuaʻa of Waikīkī in Kona Moku on Oʻahu, within tax map keys (TMKs) (1) 37003:076 and (1) 37015:063. The project is intended to support ongoing biocultural restoration efforts in Pia Valley, including invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and expanded community engagement. Planned facilities include an education center, visitor center, warehouse/shop, caretaker residence, nursery, parking area, and related infrastructure. SWCA is seeking community input regarding cultural knowledge of this area, including past and present land use, cultural traditions, gathering practices, and any concerns the community might have related to cultural practices in the vicinity of the project area. Your input will help inform the study and ensure that traditional and customary practices are considered during the environmental review process. Please contact Tamara Luthy, SWCA, at hawaiiculturalconsultation@swca.com, (808) 892-3432 ext. 17902. Mahalo for your kōkua.

The post Public Notice | April 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after March 13, 2026. A total of 14 cultural items have been requested for repatriation: one pohaku kuʻi ʻai, one lei niho palaoa, one lot of three pieces of kapa, eight kapa, one hoe, one lot of makaloa, and one kapa book. The museum has determined that there is a connection between the cultural items described in this notice and Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo. Additional requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice must be sent in writing. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice. Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after March 13. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the museum must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to Abigail Hoover, associate director of Registration and Collections, Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, Lower Lake Road, South Hadley, MA 01075, email ahoover@mtholyoke.edu.

The post Public Notice | March 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

OHA Hosts the Revival of Lā Kūkahekahe

1 of 2

Auhea ʻoukou e nā manu, nā alo leo o ka ʻāina. Lele mai! Lele mai! E nā manu lele mai i ka Lā Kūkahekahe! On February 14, as part of the month-long celebration of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) hosted the first Lā Kūkahekahe in nearly a decade. First established in the 1970s by ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Lā Kūkahekahe was a day dedicated to celebrating ka leo o ke ola (the voice of life) through meaningful conversation, friendly competitions, live music, games, and food. OHA presented Lā Kūkahekahe in partnership with ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, ʻAha Pūnana Leo, Hawaiian Council, Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Kanaeokana, Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, Kui Leo Hawaiʻi, and Kuini Piʻolani Hawaiian Civic Club. It was one of a series of gatherings last month that support the strengthening of Hawaiian language efforts and relationships across the pae ʻāina. Notably, this Lā Kūkahekahe honored our mānaleo (native speakers) and the original members of ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi for their contributions to the perpetuation of our language. In the top photo, representatives of the original steering committee that met in May 1972 and eventually established the ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi are honored. (L-R): OHA Trustee Dan Ahuna, Marvi Rosehill Ching (representing her mother, Violet Māhela Rosehill), Sarah ʻIlialoha Keahi, ʻAimoku McClellan (representing his mother, Esther Waiheʻe McClellan), Kamaluapāwehi Abad (representing her grandfather, Fred Cachola), and Dr. Larry Kimura. Also remembered at Lā Kūkahekahe were late steering committee members Dorothy Kahananui and Carinthia Harbottle. In the bottom picture, our remaining manaleo (native speakers) are honored. Sitting (l-r) are Louella ʻŌpuʻulani Albino, Karin Haleamau, Kahu David Kaupu, Kahu Charles Milikaa Yabui, and Carnation SaiFarr Harvest. Standing behind the manaleo are (l-r) Keala Kaupu, representing his aunt, Mable Paupalai Kaupu Boyd, and Kanoah Stevens representing his grandmother, Irene Nohokaha Midel. – Photos: Nelson Gaspar

Waimea Valley Indigenous Economic Resiliency Project

In a joyful January blessing ceremony, Waimea Valley launched its Indigenous Community Economic Resiliency Project, Hoʻopōmaikaʻi ʻĀina a Papa Hana o Waimea Ma ʻĀina Puʻukua – one of the most significant investments in the valley in over 50 years.

The process began in 2021 with the U.S. Economic Development Administration grant of $3.75 million, augmented by funding from the State of Hawaiʻi Grant-in-Aid program, the Hawaiʻi Legacy Lands program, the City Clean Water Natural Lands program, and generous community contributions.

These funds will be used to create a Hawaiian educational complex featuring an agroforestry garden and traditional Hawaiian hale – a multi-million-dollar investment in cultural education, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and long-term community resilience.

“This project will help prepare Waimea Valley for the next 20 years, ensuring the valley thrives while continuing to support the nearly 200 individuals and their ʻohana who rely on Waimea Valley for their livelihood. Community and community partners have always been central to who we are. The work being done through this project is for the community,” said Waimea Valley Executive Director Richard Pezzulo.

The Indigenous Community Economic Resiliency Project is more than a capital improvement – it reflects a long-term commitment to cultural perpetuation, environmental stewardship, workforce development, and community wellbeing. The creation of educational spaces, infrastructure modernization, and preservation of sacred lands, allows Waimea Valley to continue its mission to serve as a living cultural landscape.

Waimea Valley is owned and managed by Hiʻipaka LLC, a subsidiary of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Old EIS Used to Approve Kahuku Development

A lawsuit filed in February challenges the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting’s approval of a new Ritz-Carlton resort at Kuilima on Oʻahu’s North Shore.

The lawsuit, filed by Earthjustice on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, and community group Kūpaʻa Kuilima, asserts that the county relied on an outdated supplemental environmental impact statement issued in 2013.

Meanwhile, another parcel closer to Kahuku and the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge is also slated for development. The cumulative stressors on the area’s ecosystem were never properly analyzed.

“Hawaiʻi’s environmental laws exist to protect our ʻāina and the native species that are inseparable from Native Hawaiian culture and identity,” said Jonee Kaina Peters, executive director of Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi.

“When agencies allow large-scale resort development to move forward without accounting for impacts to endangered species and culturally important ecosystems, they are failing both the law and their kuleana to future generations.”

New information about native wildlife in the project area includes the presence of endangered yellow-faced bees, a breeding colony of Mōlī (Laysan albatross) established at nearby Kahuku Point, and the use of the beaches fronting the development area by endangered Hawaiian monk seals to birth and rear their pups. None of this was addressed in the 2013 environmental review.

“Hawaiʻi’s environmental review laws are only as strong as the government’s willingness to enforce them,” noted Earthjustice attorney Dru Hara.

Sproat Honored by HILT

Kapuaʻala Sproat, Director of the Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law and a professor of law at UH Mānoa’s Richardson School of Law was honored by the Hawaiʻi Land Trust (HILT) at its 24th Annual Buy Back the Beach benefit lūʻau on January 24 on Maui.

Each year, HILT recognizes people or organizations that have made a substantial impact on the health of Hawaiʻi’s lands and communities with its Champion of the Land award.

Sproat and co-awardee Earthjustice attorney Isaac Moriwaki worked for years on Maui’s landmark Nā Wai ʻEhā case which helped restore stream flows and water rights on Maui and provided a powerful legal and community precedent for other water restoration cases across the islands.

Sproat joined the law school as an assistant professor in 2007. She currently teaches courses in Native Hawaiian and environmental law, and legal research and writing. She is also co-director of the Native Hawaiian Rights Clinic.

Prior to that, she served for almost a decade as an attorney with Earthjustice’s Mid-Pacific Office. She has worked to preserve the resources necessary to perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture by litigating state and federal cases under the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, State Water Code, and various Hawaiʻi environmental laws. Sproat is from Kauaʻi’s North Shore in Kalihiwai, but now resides on Oʻahu with her ʻohana.

Ka Lāhui Travels to Waitangi Standing in Solidarity with Māori

Mahuna Appointed Police Chief

Following a nationwide search, on January 30 the Hawaiʻi County Police Commission named Hawaiʻi Island kupa Reed K. Mahuna the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s (HPD) new police chief.

Mahuna has served as interim chief since last September. He was appointed deputy chief in January 2024.

He was selected from a competitive group of eight finalists. Members of the commission said that Mahuna’s extensive experience in the department, as well as community input, were major factors in their decision.

He joined HPD in 1998 and, in addition to serving as deputy police chief, Mahuna has served as an officer, detective, lieutenant, and captain in multiple districts and divisions. More recently he served as major of the Technical Service Division overseeing criminal investigations, communications, records and traffic operations.

Born and raised on Hawaiʻi Island, Mahuna has an associate’s degree in liberal arts and administration of justice from Hawaiʻi Community College and a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from Lindenwood University. He is the son of retired Hawaiʻi Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna who led HPD from 2002-2008.

Federal Funding for Pūnana Leo

The office of Sen. Brian Schatz has announced that $1.3 million in congressionally directed funding has been secured for ʻAha Pūnana Leo. The funding will be used to train teachers, support families, and develop new early childhood educational Hawaiian language teaching materials such as books and videos to help keiki build literacy and math skills.

Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said, “This new earmark funding will help revitalize the Hawaiian language while making sure more kids have the resources to learn and grow.”

ʻAha Pūnana Leo CEO Kaʻiulani Neff Laeha expressed gratitude towards Schatz and the rest of Hawaiʻi’s Congressional delegation for their support saying, “ʻAha Pūnana Leo was built from the ground up by families and community members committed to restoring and strengthening ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, and this funding continues that vision … ensuring that ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi continues to flourish in our classrooms, homes, and communities statewide.”

Hana Keaka’s Lele Wale Premieres in March

FEMA Assistance Extended for Maui

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a one-year extension of its temporary housing assistance to survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires through Feb. 28, 2027. The housing assistance, set to expire in February 2026, was extended under the Robert T. Stafford disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act at the request of the State of Hawaiʻi.

The program extension was deemed necessary as Maui continues to face severe housing supply constraints following the wildfires combined with prolonged rebuilding timelines and limited affordable rentals, which has made it difficult for many displaced households to secure permanent housing without continued FEMA support.

Survivors with demonstrated need residing in any FEMA-provided temporary housing may remain for another year, provided they maintain eligibility. Additionally, households participating in FEMAs rental assistance program may continue receiving financial assistance to help pay their rent if they continue to demonstrate need and meet eligibility requirements.

FEMA is working with state and county officials to help ensure all survivors transition to permanent housing in the next year. For more information call your Recertification Advisor or the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

Ke Kilo Lani Exhibit at WCC Honors the Life and Legacy of Robert Cazimero

Hāpai Women Sought for Research Study

ʻŌiwi Ph.D. candidate Christina Young is seeking participants for a UH Mānoa research study centered on strengthening the health and wellbeing of our lāhui through a deeper understanding of hānai waiū (breastfeeding) experiences among Kānaka ʻŌiwi.

Her research entails conducting talk-story sessions with ʻŌiwi women who are hāpai for the first time to learn about their perspectives around infant feeding practices.

This work is grounded in the understanding that Hawaiian health and infant nutrition are deeply connected to ʻohana, community, and culturally aligned practices. Young hopes to use this research to uplift the voices of Kānaka ʻŌiwi mothers and contribute to research that reflects our values, informs future programs, and supports initiatives that prioritize Native Hawaiian health across the pae ʻāina.

Native Hawaiian women who are currently pregnant may be eligible to participate in this study. For more information, please complete the screening form or contact Young at chyoung3@hawaii.edu.

Lono Ku Mana Hawaiian Gods Calendar

As we move from Lono into Kū, a unique wall calendar by artist Jackie Kahookele Burke offers a fresh way to track the passage of time. The calendar features an original painting of “unity and aloha” by Burke. Her vision was to create a representation of Hawaiian gods that would “vibrate a message that would bring together and create a unifying moment in time that reflects ancient wisdom and ritual into modern day consciousness.” Her artwork is abstract and symbolic and represents the connection of energies. Presented on a single sheet, front and back, the calendar begins with the current Makahiki season and ends in November 2026 when the next Makahiki season will begin. For more information or to purchase go to jackieburkedesigns13.com or email jackieburkedesigns13@gmail.com.

ʻIolani Celebrates the Birthday of Kamehameha IV

The post News Briefs | March 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.