The KA IPU makani cultural heritage center will lead the molokaʻi archive project to establish the first-ever community-based, professionally managed physical archive on the island of molokaʻi

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded $150,000 to Ka IPU Makani Cultural Heritage Center under the Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants program (CFDA 45.311) on October 1, 2025, for the Molokai Archive Project. The project will establish the first community-based, professionally managed physical archive on the island of Molokai, with completion targeted for September 30, 2026. Deliverables include development of core archival infrastructure comprising policies, workflows, metadata standards, and secure storage systems; processing and cataloging of two foundational collections; and creation of training materials and community engagement resources. The archive will serve as a permanent, locally controlled resource strengthening cultural continuity on the island.

Through training, outreach, and community engagement activities, the Molokai Archive Project will preserve and provide public access to collections reflecting the island's cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and community activism. The archive will support place-based education and contribute to the broader ecosystem of Native Hawaiian libraries and cultural institutions. As a Native Hawaiian-owned, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Ka IPU Makani Cultural Heritage Center will manage project operations from its location in Kaunakakai, Hawaii, leveraging its expertise in cultural resource management and community-based heritage preservation initiatives.

This initiative will preserve, organize, and provide access to collections that reflect the island's deep cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and community activism. The project will develop core archival infrastructure-including policies, workflows, metadata standards, and secure storage-while processing and cataloging two foundational collections. Through training, outreach, and community engagement, the archive will serve as a permanent, locally controlled resource that strengthens cultural continuity, supports place-based education, and contributes to the broader ecosystem of native hawaiian libraries.