Mālie Foundation

05/06/2026

04/05/2026

Aloha kākou!

The Mālie Foundation is excited to present our Annual Nā Lei Pua ʻOle contest. A unique lei contest and exhibition celebrating the lei art form, itʻs Hawaiian culture history, and resources available. The Nā Lei Pua ʻOle Contest is scheduled for Friday, May 15th, 2026 at the Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa; Jasmine Ballroom from 2:00p-7:00p.

We look forward to your participation in this unique lei contest honoring our beloved Queen Deborah Kapule, which makes this event very special. Our hope is to continue the perpetuation of lei making utilizing the various style techniques as we celebrate Ka Makahiki O ʻAnakala Nathan Kalama - Year of Uncle Nathan Kalama, Celebrating 5 years of Uncle’s passing.

We encourage you to stay throughout the event for a free lei workshop presented by Kumu Hula Maka Herrod at 4pm and Hula/Entertainment by Hālau Kamawaelualani under the direction of Kumu Hula Līhau Paik at 5pm.

For more information and application, please visit our website: maliefoundation84.org.

We will also have copies of applications at registration.

We look forward to seeing you all there and your beautiful creations.

03/27/2026

Hui! Come visit our new website:

maliefoundation84.org!

Our Kauaʻi Mokihana Festival events are being updated and should be done soon!

Mahalo nui loa!💜

Kauaʻi Mokihana Festival
Maka Herrod

In 1984, James ʻEkolu Pānui, Larry Keliʻi Duhaylongsod and Nathan Liberato Kahikolu Kahapeʻa Kalama started the first Kauaʻi Composers Contest and Concert with $300 in their pockets - a grant from the Hasegawa Komuten Relations Board. With the support of radio station KUAI 720 and Mayor Eduardo...

03/12/2026

Aloha composers!

We invite you to our Haku Mele Workshop happening on Thursday, March 26. Our presenter for this workshop is Kumu Cody Pueo Pata. Please see below and flyer for more information!

There will be two (2) sessions each:

Session 1: ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Composers (10AM-12PM)
*Intermediate - fluent speakers
-Explore composing original mele through Hawaiian language structure, poetic devices, metaphor and cultural context.

Session 2: English Composers (2PM-4PM)
-Focus on lyric writing, melody development, and storytelling techniques to refine original compositions.

What youʻll gain:
-Songwriting and composition tools
-Guided creative exercises
-Supportive feedback and discussion
-Cultural and linguistic insight

This is an in-person session. The cost is $25.
Register by emailing us at [email protected]

03/07/2026

03/06/2026

Hoʻomākaukau Our annual Nā Lei Puaʻole is coming up soon! Save the date: Friday May 15, 2026! 🌱🌱🌱 Location & rules to be posted soon!💚

02/21/2026

💜🌺 OLA KA ʻŌLELO HAWAIʻI 🌺💜

Join us as we celebrate ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at Ola Ka ʻĪ – Kauaʻi me Niʻihau on Pepeluali 28, 2026 from 10AM–3PM at Kukui Grove!

Let’s honor and uplift the Hawaiian language with a day full of:
🎶 Mele Hawaiʻi
🎁 Prize giveaways
🎲 Games
🎤 Hōʻike Haʻi ʻŌlelo
♟️ Kōnane Tournament
🔎 Scavenger Hunt
🎓 School performances
…and fun for the entire ʻohana!

This is such a special opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate culture, language, and heritage right here on Kauaʻi 💛

Mark your calendars and bring the whole family — e ola ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi!

02/21/2026

In mid-February 1875, following his eight-week journey to the United States, King Kalākaua addressed the people at Kawaiahaʻo Church with a heartfelt speech in both ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and English. Reflecting on his mission to secure Hawaiʻi’s place among the nations of the world, his words carried a message of self-reliance and progress.

In his ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi address, Kalākaua declared:

“No laila, e noho kakou ma o kakou iho, aka, e oni aku naei mua, i hiki ai i na aupuni nui i launa a i hoomakamaka mai ia kākou ke hi i ae, a puali aku, me ka hooia iho ia oe e Hawaii, ua kupono kou noho ana i waena o na ohana o na aupuni kuokoa o ka honua!"

Translated by the Hawaiian Gazette, he urged:

“Let us therefore wisely take care of ourselves; and the best way to do this is to endeavor to make such material and social progress, that the powerful governments whose friendship we now fortunately possess, shall be convinced that we deserve their aid and support. Let us in short, prove to the world, that Hawaiʻi is worthy of her position among the independent nations of the world.”

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi State Archives

02/19/2026

Aloha Kaua'i Composers! 💜

We invite you to participate in our Haku Mele Workshops. In-person workshops are available with limited space.

The cost is $25 per participant.

To register, please send an email to [email protected]. A confirmation email will be sent requesting payment via Venmo or PayPal.

02/04/2026

Tomorrow, February 5, 2026!

Aloha kākou!

The Mālie Foundation presents the Annual Eō E Liliʻu Youth Song Competition honoring our Queen Liliʻuokalani.

Tickets are $25 and will be sold to our participating schools first (see below) due to limited seating. If there are any leftover tickets, it will be available to the public via Eventbrite.

ʻOhana, please come and support your Keiki as they showcase what they have bee preparing for the past couple of months.

Tip: If you have any ʻohana that are participating, contact their parents to buy tickets from their schools.

Hope to see you there!

Participating schools:
Kanuikapono Charter School
Kanuikapono Public Charter School
Ke Kula Niʻihau o Kekaha
Ke Kula Niihau o Kekaha
Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School
Kawaikini NCPCS
Ke Kula Kiʻekiʻe o Kapaʻa: Papa ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
Kapaʻa High School - Papa ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi