Since founding HKM in 2001, MM has raised and managed millions in funding, as well as providing land, facilities, and Mana Mele program services, in support of this community, culture and kaina (land/ocean) based charter school. With expectations of both academic and cultural rigor, students are more responsive to hands-on, inter-disciplinary learning that has relevance to the host culture, enviro
nment, history, and contemporary issues and opportunities. MM launched its sailing canoe program in 2002, which eventually became known as Kānehunamoku Voyaging Academy. KVA grew to the point of eventually operating under its own nonprofit in 2012, helping guide learners toward their destinations, in and out of the canoe, with the same confidence and intent of our ancestors. KVA offers 'wa'a immersion camps' for youth, and day long trainings on the wa'a kaulua (double-hulled sailing canoe) for staff development and team-building. Mana Mele Project - Hundreds of artists have supported past Mana Mele initiatives, from student and underground talent to Hawaii’s favorite and most respected artists of various genres, such as Jack Johnson, John Cruz, Paula Fuga,Natural Vibes, Fiji, Amy Hanaialiʻi Gilliom, Makaha Sons, Kimie, Kaumaka’iwa Kanaka’ole, and much more. At the core of our program is our Mana Mele youth, and the 'MANA MAOLI COLLECTIVE', which refers to over 200 of Creative Industries professionals (musicians, engineers, videographers, communications professionals) who donate their time and talent to:
* Producing numerous Mana Maoli CD's and concerts over the last 20 years, in collaboration with youth artists, all in support of over a dozen culture, community and environment-based charter schools.
* School visits - sharing information and inspiration through music and ʻtalking storyʻ in small and large groups.
* Afterschool/Elective classes - Over 70 of these year long classes across 20 partner schools (15 of which are Hawaiian charter schools) on 3 islands contribute to developing and piloting our Music/Multimedia Academy curriuclum, which teaches ABCʻs - Academics, Business, Culture - through music, engineering, video and business. To date we have developed over 170 lessons and curriculum maps for Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies credits grades 9-12.
* Music related mentorships in singing, ʻukulele, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, percussions, radio talk show host, DJ/turntables, engineering and music business and marketing.
* A cultural exchange and tour with our cousins in Aotearoa (New Zealand). There, an all-star group of Hawaiian vocalists, musicians and dancers provided Hawaiian music and hula workshops for the youth and communities in Aotearoa, while also representing Hawaii and the Mana Maoli Collective at various large-scale festivals and concerts.
