Waipa Foundation

Waipa Foundation We envision an ahupua'a where the land, resources, and people are healthy, vibrant, and abundant Kūlia i ka Pono: Strive to do the right thing.
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Native Hawaiians created land divisions called ahupua‘a to adeptly manage a finite amount of island resources which provided all that was needed for the subsistence of their island communities. Ahupua‘a were often defined by the boundaries of the watershed, from the mountain peak into the sea. This way of managing the land encouraged a strong sense of interdependence between the people and the nat

ural resources. Use of land, water and economic, social and cultural choices flourished in balance. The 1,600 acre ahupuaʻa of Waipā, located on the north shore of Kauaʻi, is one of the few ahupua‘a in Hawai‘i that remain intact and undeveloped. Owned by the Kamehameha Schools, Waipā is managed by the Waipā Foundation, a community-based 501c3 nonprofit that evolved from an original community initiative which began in the 1980’s. We serve as a Native Hawaiian learning center and community center where all who visit can renew ties to the ‘āina (land and resources), and learn about traditional values and lifestyle through laulima (many hands working together). Waipā is a place for culturally relevant practices, teaching, and sharing while we learn again how to live in balance with our ‘āina; Restoring health and vibrance in the ahupua‘a and in ourselves too! As stewards of the ahupua'a, the Waipā Foundation is intently focused on its kuleana (responsibility) to establish and perpetuate a thriving ahupua'a as an example of healthy interdependent relationships between people and earth’s natural resources. Our core values guide our attitude and behavior in how we work, how we interact with others, and how we practice our philosophy of sustainability. These core values are:

Kūlia i ka Nu`u: Strive for excellence. Aloha `āina: Love the land and resources. Hiki Nō: Resourcefulness and a “can-do” attitude.

Please join our community work day this Saturday, May 23rd to learn about detecting, controlling, and trapping Coconut R...
05/19/2026

Please join our community work day this Saturday, May 23rd to learn about detecting, controlling, and trapping Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle!

In collaboration with the organization E Ola Kākou, we will be discussing best practices for preventing and controlling CRB, learning about the distribution of CRB across Kaua’i, building mulch traps, and possibly sifting through mulch piles to search for CRB grubs.

We will have a limited amount of supplies for participants to bring home their own CRB mulch traps!

Please email [email protected] for information and registration. Mahalo!

Join the Waipā Foundation ʻohana as a Jr. Alakaʻi / Driver for our Food and Farm Tour!You'll welcome visitors to our 1,6...
05/13/2026

Join the Waipā Foundation ʻohana as a Jr. Alakaʻi / Driver for our Food and Farm Tour!

You'll welcome visitors to our 1,600-acre ahupuaʻa, share the story of this land and its cultural practices, and serve fresh dishes made with locally-grown and locally-sourced ingredients. Entry-level, outdoors, and mission-driven.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays | 18 hours/week | $22/hour
Valid driver's license required. Email your cover letter and resume to [email protected]

E ola ka ʻāina o Waipā!

Tag your friends who might be a great fit and share with your networks!

Limahana Internship Application Extended to this Friday 5/8. Come join us for a summer work opportunity and learn about ...
05/04/2026

Limahana Internship Application Extended to this Friday 5/8. Come join us for a summer work opportunity and learn about lo'i kalo and poi production!

Waipā’s annual ‘Āina Festival is almost here! Join us on Sunday, May 3rd, for an afternoon celebrating all things ‘āina....
04/24/2026

Waipā’s annual ‘Āina Festival is almost here! Join us on Sunday, May 3rd, for an afternoon celebrating all things ‘āina. In addition to food, dance, music, activities, crafts, and artisan offerings, we’ll be joined by organizations from across the state to inform, educate, discuss, and share their mana’o. Come learn and talk story with orgs about CRB, watersheds, native birds, traditional healing and lomilomi, wildlife refuges, reefs and ecosystems, ahupua’a, coastal and nearshore water assessments, land trust work, and more. We’ll also be welcoming the Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana as they celebrate 50 years of aloha ‘āina. Admission is $10 for adults and $1 for keiki 12 and under.

Ola 💚
04/09/2026

Ola 💚

Aloha All! Limahana 2026 application for Waipā's high school paid internship is offically open. Come learn all about kal...
03/28/2026

Aloha All! Limahana 2026 application for Waipā's high school paid internship is offically open. Come learn all about kalo, poi production and the power of laulima this summer. It's a great way to have summer work and build a lasting connection with Waipā. Mālama ʻĀina mauka to makai! Link in bio!

Mark your calendars, the annual Waipā `Āina Festival is SUNDAY, MAY 3rd! Bring the `ohana for a lovely day on Hanalei Ba...
03/17/2026

Mark your calendars, the annual Waipā `Āina Festival is SUNDAY, MAY 3rd! Bring the `ohana for a lovely day on Hanalei Bay, with live music, cultural activities, artisan pop-ups and `ono food! 🌱🌊🍠🥘🌈

Remember when Waipā had poi sweet bread, handmade pizza with pa`i`āi  crust, or yummy malasadas? We had Uncle Les Gushik...
02/25/2026

Remember when Waipā had poi sweet bread, handmade pizza with pa`i`āi  crust, or yummy malasadas? We had Uncle Les Gushiken to thank for that. He would be easy to spot in his blue shirt and iconic self-made hats, but was always too humble to be the center of attention.

In addition to food, he was a plant enthusiast, teaching us how to graft multiple varieties of citrus onto one tree and growing the most beautiful and rare native plants.

At Waipā weʻve had the honor of working alongside, and learning from, so many kūpuna who are no longer with us. They live on through the `ike and mana`o we are able to share, the food that we make, and the practices that enhance our work and lives.

There are so many people special to Waipā and our north shore communities who have left us in the last few years and whom we would like to honor. We will continue working toward upholding their legacy in meaningful ways. At this time, we honor and celebrate Uncle Les by spreading the word of his ho`olewa and asking others to do the same:

This Saturday, February 28th
11am-4pm
4575 Kalamania Road, Kilauea
 
Our friend, uncle, and kūpuna, Uncle Les, will be dearly missed 💙

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Kūlia i ka Nuʻu is Waipā Foundations summer internship for young adults 18-24. Interns align their interests with our ha...
02/21/2026

Kūlia i ka Nuʻu is Waipā Foundations summer internship for young adults 18-24. Interns align their interests with our hana, and pick projects that connect them to the work and research at Waipā. Come join us for a 5 week paid position, learning alongside staff, community members and the first and best teacher, ʻāina. If youʻve been an intern in the past, mahalo for all youʻve helped grow 🌱🌱🌱 Applications open now, link in bio.

Kūlia i ka Nuʻu is Waipa Foundations summer internship for young adults 18-24. Interns align their interest with our han...
02/21/2026

Kūlia i ka Nuʻu is Waipa Foundations summer internship for young adults 18-24. Interns align their interest with our hana, and pick projects that connect them to the work and research at Waipā. Come join us for a 5 week paid position, learning alongside staff, community members and the first and best teacher, 'āina. If you've been an intern in the past, mahalo for all you've helped grow 🌱🌱🌱 Applications now open, link in bio.

Address

5-5785A Kuhio Highway
Hanalei, HI
96714

Telephone

+18088269969

Website

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