In our 2023 Summer session of the Ola i ka ʻĀina Program, we successfully enrolled 17 learners to participate in mālama ʻāina practices, cultural education, and leadership development.

Sixteen of the seventeen participants were Native Hawaiian. All seventeen participants completed the program and were engaged in at least 80% of the learning and activities.

Cultural learning and aloha ʻāina leadership development activities included oli, pule, mele, hula, kilo, lāʻau lapaʻau and lomi, huakaʻi and ʻāina work, research and materials development, haʻiʻōlelo and hōʻikeʻike, hoʻokani pila, and daily morning protocol and daily evening wā ʻohana and reflection.

Over the week-long program, participants visited four wahi kūpuna and spent over 24 hours providing service to the ʻāina and community. Participants engaged in onsite ʻūhau pōhaku, loko iʻa restoration, invasive species clearing, and loʻi work.

All participants deepened their connection and understanding of aloha ʻāina and created friendships for life.