Hoʻolako Iā Kākou
Sustain Your Hawaiian Cultural Practice & Prosper
Complete your application in under 1 minute and begin your journey to cultural and financial empowerment.
Thriving Culture,
Thriving Communities.
Hoʻolako Iā Kākou means “to provide everything that we need,” and in this program, kākou reflects the cultural practitioner community—those who carry the legacy of Hawaiian traditions and values forward.
This 9-month program is dedicated to equipping practitioners with the tools, resources, and support they need to sustain their cultural practices and build thriving communities.
Your Unique Journey Begins Now
Hoʻolako Iā Kākou is designed with your unique journey in mind.
You’ll receive culturally grounded guidance, practical business strategies, and personalized coaching—all offered in a format that respects your time and commitments.
What This Program Offers You:
Culturally Rooted Training
Monthly workshops on financial literacy, social media, and business strategies.
Personalized Coaching
One-on-one support to help you navigate challenges and seize new opportunities.
Cultural Pop-Up Markets
Showcase your practice, earn revenue, and strengthen your presence in the community.
Paid Workshops
Get compensated for teaching your craft to both local communities and visitors.
Networking & Mentorship
Connect with fellow practitioners, cultural leaders, and industry experts.
Digital Empowerment
Learn to leverage social media platforms to build a following and streamline your business operations.
What You'll Gain
Concrete Outcomes
& Real Results
By committing to this program, you set yourself on a path toward greater sustainability, cultural impact, and financial well-being.
Market-Ready Foundation
Complete a 6-Point Market Ready Checklist so that you have a legal and compliant entity (LLC or Nonprofit) that can do business in the State of Hawaii.
Financial Compensation
Receive an honorarium of up to $1,000 for providing workshops or demonstrations at cultural markets.
Income Growth Potential
Develop a financial action plan to earn at least $84,050 annually (the Area Median Income for one person) within two years of completing the cohort.
Who Can Apply?
We invite Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners who are actively engaged in perpetuating Hawaiian heritage:
Practitioners
Practitioners of ‘Ike Kai, ‘ie‘ie weaving, lawai‘a, mahi‘ai, storytelling, ‘Ōlelo, ‘Ike Hawai‘i, la‘au lapa‘au, lomi, lei making, mālama ʻāina, or other cultural practices
Professional Expertise
Minimum of 5 years in practice.
Community Contribution
Willingness to participate in at least one cultural market and deliver at least one community/visitor workshop
Committed to Success
Commitment to attend at least 4 workshops (after the initial in-person kickoff, subsequent workshops will be online)
Mark your Calendars
Prepare to embark on a journey of growth and empowerment that balances cultural perpetuation with modern entrepreneurial tools.
Date
Mark your calendar! Our in-person kickoff workshop is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2025. This mandatory workshop will set the stage for a meaningful and successful program journey.
Location
Details provided upon acceptance