Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center

Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center was incorporated in 2016 with a mission to foster awareness of cultural and natural resource management and heritage preservation in Hawaii, by promoting cultural and natural richness, diversity, arts, languages, sciences, history, and traditions of Molokai. The organization advocates the community’s role as active stewards of the island’s resources by providing programs that enhance traditional Hawaiian methods of preservation, restoration, and cultural perpetuation.

Leveraging grant funds from the Cooke Foundation, Ka Ipu Makani has been able to further develop its Culture and Aina Based Education framework and curriculum for the Kawao Kaamola Huliamahi Training Program, which trains residents to become proficient in loipunawai kalo farming techniques, harvesting practices, as well as kalo preparation and food processing while restoring the natural wetland area of Kaamola. Cooke Foundation grant funds provided internship opportunities for nine Molokai community members ages 14 to 40, all of Native Hawaiian descent. During the program year, Ka Ipu Makani hosted 14 in-person community workdays and events, engaging 264 community members. These workdays were used to train community members in loipunawai kalo farming techniques, while promoting olelo Hawaii and highlighting moolelo (oral history) of the origin of kalo. Over the course of the year, 800 pounds of raw kalo and 160 pounds of raw luau leaf were harvested and distributed for community consumption.

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