‘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.” It reflects the deep relationship between people and place, rooted in aloha, respect and kuleana.
Through our Aloha ‘Āina programs, Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center creates opportunities for students, residents and visitors to learn about and connect with Lāna‘i’s natural and cultural landscape. Your support helps us nurture this relationship and inspire the next generation to mālama Lāna‘i.
Your Support Makes this Work Possible
Your generosity helps provide ‘āina-based education, hands-on learning and community stewardship opportunities that connect people to Lāna‘i and help care for the island for future generations. Every gift helps us continue this important work.
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.” It reflects the deep relationship between people and place, rooted in aloha, respect and kuleana.
Through our Aloha ‘Āina programs, Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center creates opportunities for students, residents and visitors to learn about and connect with Lāna‘i’s natural and cultural landscape. Your support helps us nurture this relationship and inspire the next generation to mālama Lāna‘i.
Your Support Makes this Work Possible
Your generosity helps provide ‘āina-based education, hands-on learning and community stewardship opportunities that connect people to Lāna‘i and help care for the island for future generations. Every gift helps us continue this important work.
Learn from the ‘āina
Aloha ‘āina workshops
Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center’s ʻāina-based educational workshops give K–12 students hands-on opportunities to learn about Lāna‘i’s natural environment, Hawaiian culture and values. Through mo‘olelo, outdoor learning and hands-on activities, students develop a deeper connection to their island home. Workshops are designed in collaboration with teachers to complement grade-level curriculum and support standards such as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Plant Nursery:
Growing Connection to the Land
Our 2,000-square-foot nursery at Pūlama Lāna‘i Community Gardens supports the propagation of native and Polynesian-introduced plants and serves as an outdoor classroom for students. Through hands-on learning, students build knowledge of Hawai‘i’s plants and develop a deeper understanding of their role in a healthy biocultural landscape. For more information or to schedule a huaka‘i (field trip) to the nursery, contact Kari Bogner.
Plants for Sale
As of September 2026, the nursery offers locally grown plants with a changing selection to cultivate at home, including plants that support Lāna‘i’s biocultural landscape and a healthy, balanced environment. With a minimum purchase of $20 per order, the program offers another way to bring ʻāina home, nurture a connection to the land and practice mālama ʻāina. Explore the current selection and email Kari Bogner to place an order.
Malama Lāna‘i Together
Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center brings the community together to celebrate, learn about and mālama Lānaʻi’s natural and cultural heritage.
The annual Kupulau Festival, held April 24, 2027, celebrates Lānaʻi’s unique landscape through cultural activities, traditional practices, plants and conservation.
Throughout the year, volunteer activities support the care of Lāna‘i’s wahi pana, or cherished places. Memorial Day cemetery clean-ups honor the kūpuna and ancestors who came before us.
The Lāna‘i Community Stewardship Program engages local hunters in responsible ungulate management, helping protect native ecosystems and support the health of Lāna‘i’s forests and natural resources.
