Kīpuka Kuleana

05/07/2026

Mahalo nui to Waipā Foundation and everyone who helped make this past weekend such a beautiful gathering 🌿

We were grateful to host an outreach table and spend time talking story with community members about the work of Kīpuka Kuleana, our mission, and the importance of mālama ʻāina, kuleana, and community care 🤝

It was wonderful connecting, sharing manaʻo, and building pilina across our island community.

Mahalo again to Waipā and all of the organizers, volunteers, vendors, performers, and attendees who made the event so special ✨

CommunityCare AinaBased

05/03/2026

Last week we had the pleasure to host an awesome Beach Day out at Wanini with the next generation! We welcomed Island School’s 7th grade class for a huaka’i (field trip) in partnership with Reef Guardians. Together with Kipuka Kuleana, these keiki stepped into hands-on learning - giving back through a meaningful service project and invertebrate lesson that brought our shoreline to life!

From learning about tiny creatures that play a big role in our kai ecosystem, to understanding the importance of Mālama ‘Āina. Today was about connection to place, to purpose, and to each other.

This is how we grow leaders for tomorrow, grounded in ‘Ike, guided by Kuleana, and inspired to care for what cares for us.

Mahalo to all partners, educators, and keiki who showed up with open hearts and curious minds.

💚🌿✨

04/29/2026

‘A’ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia!
🪏☀️🌴

We are so grateful to the ‘ohana, friends, and neighbors who came out last weekend to help us mālama ‘āina and pour so much aloha into Wanini. We look forward to having more workdays in the future, as we continue in our efforts to make this a safe place for community 💚

04/21/2026

Mahalo nui loa to Hale Līhu’e & Aunty Ipo for having us at this month’s Kūpuna Session!

We had the opportunity to talk story, share about our work and upcoming events, and most importantly, learn from and jam with Aunty Ipo and other Kūpuna.

We are so grateful for your presence & wisdom, and we hope to come back again soon!

01/30/2026

Happy New Year! We are grateful to begin 2026 by sharing a meaningful milestone for Kīpuka Kuleana. 🌺

Last year, we acquired a half-acre parcel along the Wanini coast (Anini, Kauaʻi) to be held in community stewardship.
Located at Wanini—named for wai nini, “trickling waters”— this ʻāina has been cared for by the same ʻohana since 1873.

Since 2021, we’ve worked alongside the family to prevent speculative sale and development. With their blessing and community support, Kīpuka Kuleana purchased the land and now holds it in trust for descendants and the broader community.

Cleanup and restoration are underway as we collaborate with descendants and area ʻohana to shape a shared vision for stewardship and ʻāina-based education. We look forward to welcoming the broader community to this ʻāina for learning and stewardship opportunities later this year!

10/22/2025

This past weekend we had the pleasure of hosting a small beach cleanup along the coast of Wanini. We welcomed Wanini ‘ohana, neighbors, and friends to join us in taking care of the kai, and had the added bonus of talking story and building pilina with one another. Looking forward to more beach cleanups in the future!

08/13/2025

If you missed our first tax workshop last month, our second tax exemption workshop will be on August 20 from 5-7pm at Waimea Public Library. We welcome all individuals who have questions and concerns regarding filing a tax exemption or would simply like to come and talk story with our tax office representatives. A representative from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs will also be in attendance to answer any questions regarding the kuleana tax exemption.

Mahalo nui to our partners, Waimea Public Library, Kaua'i Real Property Assessment Section, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs for making this community event possible.

Pupus will be provided! Please use the link to register!

Perpetuating kuleana to place through protection of cultural landscapes and family lands.

07/21/2025

Our Land to Sea Network is honored to share moʻolelo and lessons from our place-based rematriation efforts in California, Hawaiʻi, Louisiana and Borikén in this special issue of Journal of Geography titled "Indigenous Perspectives: Convergence Science and Geography Education." Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221341.2025.2512244 This article shines a light on Indigenous-led landback efforts and creative approaches to rematriation, or the restoring of "sacred relationships between Indigenous people and our ancestral land, honoring our matrilineal societies, and in opposition of patriarchal violence and dynamics" as beautifully articulated by our partner Sogorea Te' Land Trust. Although this article offers examples from our Indigenous and allied partner network, it is a greater commentary on the power of Indigenous-led efforts around the globe that seed geographies of connection and hope and carry us towards a healthier and more just future for this planet.

07/10/2025

Kauaʻi ʻohana: Join us on Wednesday, July 23 for our first Property Tax Exemption Workshop at Līhuʻe Public Library. Registration link: http://bit.ly/4lISEOR. Our goal is to create space for ʻohana to ask questions and talk story with tax office representatives about tax relief options, and to receive assistance with property tax exemption applications before applications are due on September 30. Mahalo to our partners at Līhuʻe Public Library and the County of Kauaʻi Real Property Assessment Section for making this community event possible. Our second Property Tax Exemption Workshop will be on Wednesday, August 13 at Waimea Public Library. Learn more about our workshop series and resources on our website: www.kipukakuleana.org/kakoo. Let us know if you have any questions. Looking forward to seeing you there!

04/16/2025

Join us next Saturday April 26 for our estate planning workshop at our NEW LOCATION Hale Līhuʻe. RSVP: bit.ly/kikuworkshop