HI'ohia will document and preserve the knowledge of contemporary native hawaiian kapa practitioners through a culturally governed digital repository and virtual exhibition

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Hi'ohia $237,990 on September 1, 2026, under the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program (CFDA 45.308) to document and preserve the knowledge of contemporary Native Hawaiian kapa practitioners through a culturally governed digital repository and virtual exhibition.

Hi'ohia will record oral histories of ten master kapa practitioners from across Hawai'i, document their work through photography, and develop metadata describing their techniques, materials, and design traditions. The recipient will organize these materials in a digital platform designed to reflect indigenous knowledge protocols and community review processes, accessible to community members and the public. Project outcomes will yield a structured, practitioner-controlled record of their work and knowledge for sharing with apprentices, fellow practitioners, and the broader kapa community while respecting cultural governance principles.

Performance occurs in Waianae, Hawaii. The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027.

Project activities will include recording oral histories of ten master kapa practitioners from across hawai'i, documenting their work through photography, and developing metadata describing their techniques, materials, and design traditions. The materials will be organized in a digital platform accessible to community members and the public, designed to reflect indigenous knowledge protocols and community review processes. Project outcomes will be a structured, practitioner-controlled record of their work and knowledge that can be shared with apprentices, fellow practitioners, and the broader kapa community while respecting cultural governance principles.