Kani kūpinaʻi: economic equity for cultural practitioners

Grant Award Summary

Kahuli LEO LE A, a Native Hawaiian non-profit organization, received a $900,000 Project Grant from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) under the Native American Programs (CFDA 93.612) program, effective September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2028. The grant funds the "Kani Kāpinai: Economic Equity for Cultural Practitioners" initiative, which supports economic self-sufficiency for Hawaiian cultural practitioners by advancing the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian linguistic and cultural heritage. Building on the organization's prior work documenting mele (Hawaiian song and poetry) and hula (traditional dance), this project will expand economic opportunities for cultural practitioners while strengthening Hawaiian language and cultural transmission.

The three-year initiative aligns with ANA's mandate to promote economic and social self-sufficiency for Native Hawaiians and other Native populations. Kahuli LEO LE A's track record of developing comprehensive educational resources—including audio and video documentation, curriculum materials, webinars, and lyric sheets—indicates the project will likely deliver digital and educational resources that support both cultural preservation and economic viability for Hawaiian cultural practitioners, consistent with the organization's historical portfolio of federally funded cultural documentation and educational initiatives.