‘Āina based education
Aloha ‘Āina Program
Discover the Heart of Hawaiian Culture
at Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center
The Hawaiian word ‘āina is often translated as “land,” but its true meaning is “that which feeds.” It reflects the deep connection between the land and the people, a bond rooted in love, respect, and care — values embodied in the spirit of aloha. At the Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center, we are committed to fostering a sustainable future for Lāna‘i by honoring this vital relationship.
Once, Lāna‘i’s land sustained a thriving community of 6,000 Hawaiians. Today, our Aloha ‘Āina Program offers a unique
opportunity for students, residents, and visitors to engage with and learn about the island’s rich natural landscape. Through this program, we teach the importance of community stewardship, rooted in traditional Hawaiian values, and emphasize the responsibility of nurturing and protecting Lāna‘i’s land and people for generations to come.
Join us in celebrating the spirit of aloha and the wisdom of our ancestors as we work towards a sustainable and thriving Lāna‘i.
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
Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center organizes a number of ‘āina-based educational workshops and activities for K-12 students each year. These activities blend mo‘olelo, Hawaiian culture and values, and information about Lānaʻi’s natural landscape into hands-on lessons that inspire students to take a deeper interest in the natural world and to become active stewards of their island. We work with teachers to tailor these workshops to fit with each grade level’s curriculum, including Next Generation Science Standards.
Volunteer Events
Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center hosts a variety of community volunteer events throughout the year. These events focus on caring for Lāna‘i’s wahi pana or cherished places of the past. Event locations include Hi‘i Agricultural Heiau, Kānepu‘u Dryland Forest, and Ka Lanakila Church and Waia‘ōpae Fishpond in the historic Keōmoku coastal village. Additionally, Lāna‘i CHC hosts several volunteer events for Memorial Day, including a cemetery clean-up, to honor our ancestors.
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 our home 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
Join us for the 3rd Annual Kupulau Festival, a vibrant celebration of Lāna‘i’s rich natural and cultural landscape, held on the last Saturday of April at the Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center in Lāna‘i City. This free, public event takes place on April 26 from 10 am to 1 pm. Attendees can explore educational booths that showcase Hawaiʻi’s native flora and fauna, participate in hands-on activities to learn traditional Hawaiian practices, and take home native and Polynesian-introduced plants available for sale or giveaway. The Kupulau Festival is not just a fun day out; it’s an opportunity to engage with and support local conservation efforts while gaining insights into Lāna‘i’s unique ecosystem and cultural heritage.
Lāna‘i Community Stewardship Program
Launched in July 2021 as part of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Kuahiwi a Kai Lāna‘i Watershed Conservation Program, this initiative engages local hunters in protecting the island’s natural resources. The program focuses on reducing the pressure of ungulate populations across 20,000 acres of windward Lāna‘i, helping to preserve the health of the island’s ecosystem.
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.
This free program offers 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, visit the LCSP Hunting Office at 730 Lāna‘i Ave, Ste 131, between 5 to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, call the Stewardship Office at 808-563-3307.
Join us in preserving Lāna‘i’s watershed and maintaining a healthy balance in our island’s ecosystem.
