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2025 Hōʻihi Grant Awardees

The HŌʻIHI program continues to deliver on the Administration's priorities including the “America First Investment Policy” and “Made In America” Executive Order to invest in economic security and independence in the Native Hawaiian Community, bolster entrepreneurship, support agricultural opportunities, and safeguard the traditional knowledge and heritage resources unique to the lāhui.

ONHR awarded 6 Native Hawaiian Organizations with a HŌʻIHI grant in 2025:

NHO: Hiʻohia

Project: The Kapa Heritage project seeks to preserve the traditional practice of bark cloth or kapa weaving by bringing together master practitioners, visitors, and residents to create opportunities to showcase and sell traditional crafts made in Hawaiʻi by Native Hawaiian Community experts. 

 

NHO: Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy

Project: Kūkulu A Mau supports the development of a community voyaging center in Heʻeia, Oʻahu.  The center will host educational programs for students and community visitors that will provide instruction on Native Hawaiian protocol (oli, hoʻokupu), place-based orientation, and hands-on activities in traditional Native Hawaiian navigation and voyaging practices.

 

NHO: Oʻahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association

Project: The award will showcase Native Hawaiian cultural practices through immersive, practitioner-led programming at the finish lines of two world-renowned outrigger canoe races: the Molokaʻi Hoe (in 2026 & 2027) and Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai (in 2026 & 2027) in Waikīkī, Oʻahu. Each finish line event will host a Hoʻolauleʻa (cultural festival) grounded in traditional protocol, featuring interactive workshops on canoe rigging, paddling, mele, hula, lei-making, cordage weaving, coral reef education, and more. 

 

NHO: Pihana Ka ʻIkena

Project: The Hihiakalahau Revitalization Project in Wailua, Kauaʻi will preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian traditional healing and cultural practices through the creation of a community-based educational and healing center rooted in respect for land and Native Hawaiian traditional knowledge. 

 

NHO: Pohāhā I Ka Lani

Project: The Hinaʻaiulunui Project is a 12-month initiative to reestablish and enhance sacred sites in Waipiʻo, Hawaiʻi as living classrooms led by Native Hawaiian practitioners, transforming tourism into a force of reciprocity and Native Hawaiian Community benefit.

         

NHO: Waipā Foundation

Project: The Waipā Cultural Foodways Project advances a regenerative tourism model in Waipā, Kauaʻi to uplift ʻŌiwi cultural values, fosters a reciprocal relationship with ʻāina (land), and creates meaningful economic opportunities through Native Hawaiian Community-led experiences.  Thus, creating jobs for Native Hawaiian Community members and providing for authentic experiences for visitors.

 

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