Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center

Aloha kākou,

We are excited to share an incredible opportunity for the next generation of cultural leaders from Molokaʻi! The He Ēwe Molokaʻi Youth Cultural Ambassadors Program is embarking on an unforgettable journey in the summer of 2025 — and we need your support to make it happen!

Reconnecting with Our Pacific Island ʻOhana

Next summer, 21 students from Molokaʻi will travel to the Cook Islands to engage in a once-in-a-lifetime cultural exchange. As Native Hawaiians, we share deep ancestral ties with our cousins in the Pacific. This trip will allow our youth to strengthen these connections, exchange traditional knowledge, and celebrate our shared heritage as caretakers of the land and the largest ocean in the world.

Why This Trip Matters

Our students are more than just travelers; they are the future leaders of Molokaʻi, dedicated to preserving and perpetuating our cultural traditions. As stewards of ʻāina, they embody the values and knowledge that have sustained our island community for generations. By traveling to the Cook Islands, they will not only immerse themselves in Cook Islands Māori culture but also share their own experiences of mālama ʻāina (land stewardship) and cultural practices.

Empowering the Next Generation

This cultural exchange will help our students:

Our youth come from the rural island of Molokaʻi, where opportunities like this are rare. Many of them have never traveled beyond the shores of Hawaiʻi. This journey will be transformative, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to continue their important work as cultural and environmental advocates.

How You Can Kōkua

To make this trip a reality, we need to raise $35,000 to cover travel expenses, accommodations, and program activities for our 21 youth participants. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to achieving this dream.

Here are some ways your contribution will help:

Your generous support will directly contribute to the growth and development of these young cultural ambassadors, ensuring that they have the opportunity to share Molokaʻi’s traditions and bring back new perspectives to their community.

Sharing our huakaʻi

After their trip, our students will share their experiences through public talks, vlogs, and contributions to local media, bringing back new knowledge and ideas to inspire their peers and the broader Molokaʻi community. This cultural exchange will be an ongoing gift — not just to those who travel, but to our island and future generations.

Join Us on This Huakaʻi

Together, we can empower these amazing students to represent Molokaʻi on the global stage and create lasting bonds across the Pacific. Mahalo nui loa for your support, and we look forward to sharing this journey with you!