Kipuka Olowalu
Kipuka Olowalu (The Reorganized Olowalu Cultural Reserve) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Olowalu Valley, on the island of Maui. We seek to foster an intuitive comprehension of cultural and environmental connectivity through place-based educational activities that honor Hawaii’s heritage and will strengthen the community for generations to come.
Purpose of Activity
Our mission is to perpetuate the tradition and customary practices of kanaka maoli of these Hawai’i Islands and promote opportunities to regain the spiritual connection of hanai aina (adopt and care for the land as a family member) of our ancestors by ensuring these beliefs and customs are passed down to future generations.
Activities
Kipuka Olowalu is open for visitors, schools, and other educational organizations to come and learn about the environment and the culture of the Native Hawaiian land and practices. Our team works hard to create a learning environment for people of all ages to participate in the continuation of the Hawaiian spirit. Kipuka Olowalu is also an open community space for any community events and/or cultural groups to come and reclaim the space. Welcoming Halau groups (school groups) and other ways to embrace cultural practices is a top priority of the organization in this space.
We host weekly volunteer days on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and welcome all help as we work towards the biocultural restoration of this space. Active efforts include removing invasive and nonnative species, propagating and out-planting native species, cultivating kalo (taro), and fostering cultural and ecological connectivity through place-based learning.
Tour Information
Volunteer days every Wednesday & Thursday 7:30AM-11:30AM.
History
- 1999
- The Olowalu Cultural Reserve was originally founded by a group of individuals who were intent on protecting cultural resources through traditional Hawaiian practices and protocols for the present and future.
- January 2020
- The Olowalu Cultural Reserve was dissolved and reorganized as Kipuka Olowalu.
- February 2020
- Kipuka Olowalu was founded by a new board including Hinano Rodrigues, Kainoa Horcajo, and Edwin “Ekolu” Lindsey with the support of Lawrence Carnicelli representing Olowalu Elua Associates. While the name changed, the mission stayed the same.
- October 2020
- Activites resumed and members of Kipuka Olowalu have worked to restore the land through projects such as loi (water taro patch) restoration, native plantings, invasive species removal, and re-establishing proper cultural protocols for all who enter. To date we have welcomed over 4,000 volunteers who have shared countless valuable hours caring for the aina (land) with us.
