‘Āina based education
Aloha ‘Āina Program
Discover the Heart of Hawaiian Culture
at Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center
The Hawaiian word ‘āina is commonly translated as “land,” but its direct translation is “that which feeds.” This reflects the profound connection between the land and the people—a relationship rooted in love, respect, and kuleana (responsibility), and guided by the spirit of aloha. At Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center, we are committed to nurturing this relationship and supporting a sustainable future for Lāna‘i.
Once home to a thriving community of 6,000 Hawaiians, Lāna‘i’s land provided abundance through deep cultural knowledge and stewardship.
Through our Aloha ‘Āina programs, we offer values-based educational opportunities for students, residents, and visitors to learn about and connect with the island’s natural and cultural landscape. These experiences integrate traditional Hawaiian values—like mālama ‘āina (caring for the land) and communal stewardship—with a focus on protecting and nurturing Lāna‘i for generations to come.
The Hawaiian word ‘āina is generally translated as “land,” but the direct translation is “that which feeds.” Together, aloha (love, respect, care) and ʻāina, we work towards a self-sustainable Lāna‘i and remember our past, which at one point in the island’s history fed 6,000 Hawaiians.
Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center’s Aloha ‘Āina Program offers values educational opportunities for students, the greater Lāna‘i community, and visitors to learn more about and engage with Lāna‘i’s natural landscape. Our program incorporates traditional Hawaiian values including community stewardship, with an emphasis on protecting and nurturing our island and its people for future generations.
strengthening relationship with the Land
Aloha ‘āina workshops
The Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center offers ʻāina-based educational workshops and hands-on activities for K–12 students throughout the year. These programs weave together mo‘olelo (stories), Hawaiian culture and values, and knowledge of Lāna‘i’s natural landscape to inspire students to connect with and care for their island home.
Workshops are designed in collaboration with teachers to align with grade-level curriculum and support standards such as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Volunteer Events
Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center leads a variety of community volunteer events throughout the year. These events focus on caring for Lāna‘i’s wahi pana (cherished places of the past) and ancestral past. Event locations include Hi‘i Agricultural Heiau, Kānepu‘u Dryland Forest, Ka Lanakila Church and Waia‘ōpae Fishpond in the historic Keōmoku coastal village. Additionally, Lāna‘i CHC hosts several volunteer events around Memorial Day, including a cemetery clean-up, to honor all of those who have come before us.
Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center’s Plant Nursery
We manage a 2,000-square foot nursery at Pūlama Lāna‘i Community Gardens. The nursery serves as a place to propagate native and Polynesian-introduced plants and non-native, non-invasive species for a number of projects. The nursery also serves as an outdoor classroom where students gain hands-on experience working with dozens of plants found in Hawai‘i. For more information and/or if you would like to schedule a huaka‘i (field trip) to the nursery, contact Kari Bogner.
Kupulau Festival in April
Lāna‘i CHC’s 3rd Annual Kupulau Festival will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2026, from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center in Lāna‘i City. This free, public event is a vibrant celebration of Lāna‘i’s biocultural heritage, traditionally held on the last Saturday of April. Visitors can explore educational booths presented by organizations highlighting Hawaiʻi’s native plants and animals, along with ongoing efforts to care for the island’s natural and cultural resources. Native and Polynesian-introduced plants are shared with the community each year, either as giveaways or for purchase. The festival also features hands-on activities that invite attendees to learn and engage in traditional Hawaiian cultural practices.
Lāna‘i Community Stewardship Program
Initiated in July 2021 as part of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Kuahiwi a Kai Lāna‘i Watershed Conservation Program, this program engages local hunters to reduce ungulate populations across 20,000 acres of windward Lāna‘i.
Uncontrolled populations of axis deer and mouflon sheep can cause significant damage to Lāna‘i’s delicate environment, and this program serves as a valuable resource for educating hunters on the long-term impacts of these species on the land and preserves the health of the island’s ecosystem.
This free program provides unlimited hunting opportunities for axis deer and mouflon sheep within the Kuahiwi a Kai project area to Lāna‘i residents. To register or for more information, call 808-563-3307 or visit the LCSP Hunting Office at 730 Lāna‘i Ave, Suite 131, between 5 and 6 pm, Monday through Friday.
