Papahana Kuaola

Papahana Kuaola is a Native Hawaiian organization and non-profit corporate entity located in Kaneohe, Hawaii, that focuses on cultural preservation, education, and community engagement. Registered in SAM.gov since 2008, the organization is dedicated to connecting Hawaiian cultural practices, language, and traditional knowledge with contemporary educational approaches. Its mission centers on supporting Native Hawaiian communities through innovative learning programs that emphasize place-based education, cultural heritage, and sustainable practices.

Over the past several years, Papahana Kuaola has received multiple federal grants primarily from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Administration for Native Americans, focusing on diverse cultural and educational initiatives. These grants have supported projects such as Hawaiian language revitalization, digital literacy, native plant propagation, traditional architecture, early literacy, and cultural heritage preservation. Specific grant-funded programs have included developing bilingual Hawaiian-English braille books, creating multi-sensory language learning trails, training high school interns in traditional hale construction, developing moolelo (story)-based educational resources, and implementing community workshops on Hawaiian traditions like lauhala weaving. The organization has worked with various partners, including the Hawaii State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, Paepae o Heeia, and the University of Hawaii, through sub-awards related to AmeriCorps state programs. Their grant-funded projects typically serve between 100-2,000 participants across Oahu, Maui, and Molokai, with a consistent emphasis on preserving and perpetuating Native Hawaiian cultural knowledge and practices.