Hana arts will conduct a program focused on empowering the youth of east maui through comprehensive arts and cultural education

Hana Arts, a Native Hawaiian nonprofit organization, received a $200,000 project grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program (CFDA 45.308), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The grant supports a comprehensive arts and cultural education initiative designed to empower youth in East Maui through year-round classes, workshops, and community performances (ho'ike) that incorporate traditional Hawaiian cultural practices including hula, oli (chanting), and visual arts. Experienced kumu (teachers) and cultural practitioners will lead these activities to transmit ancestral knowledge (ike kupuna) while developing student creativity and essential life skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving.

The program is expected to deliver measurable outcomes including increased student engagement in arts and cultural programming, enhanced cultural knowledge and practice among participants, strengthened community bonds, and demonstrated improvements in student confidence and academic participation. These services target students at Hana High Elementary School and the broader Hana community through school-hour classes, after-school programs, and intersession offerings, directly supporting IMLS's goal of building organizational capacity to preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian languages, cultural practices, and knowledge systems.

A series of year-round classes, workshops, and community performances (HŌ'ike) will be led by experienced kumu (TEACHERS) and cultural practitioners, incorporating traditional practices such as hula, OLI (CHANTING), and visual arts. These activities will provide students with opportunities to learn and practice ancestral knowledge (ʻike kūpuna), develop creativity, and build essential life skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving. Expected outcomes include increased student engagement in arts and cultural programs, enhanced cultural knowledge and practice, stronger community bonds, and measurable improvements in student confidence and academic participation.