Our Mission
Our mission is grounded in fostering experiences that challenge, inspire, and mobilize Hawaiʻi’s communities toward meaningful action in the protection, restoration, and revitalization of our islands.
HŌʻĀ is a catalyst for community-driven action, inviting individuals to bring forth their ideas and passion—their pulu, or kindling—to our aunaki, or fire-making board. With our programs as the aulima, or rubbing stick, rooted in ʻIke Hawaiʻi, we create the exact moment of HŌʻĀ: the spark that ignites purpose, drives transformation, and sustains commitment.
Through hands-on opportunities, cultural education, and an unwavering commitment to place, HŌʻĀ seeks to transform both landscapes and hearts. We foster a culture of active engagement, sparking community-driven movements that extend far beyond individual acts. United by a shared commitment to our land and people, we empower individuals with the belief that each person has the capacity to step up, make an impact, and fuel a collective energy to protect and nurture Hawaiʻi’s future.
Early beginnings
in Honokaʻa
The roots HŌʻĀ, formerly known as the of the Hamakua Cultural Center of Hāmākua (HCCOH) began when parents noticed their children returning home from youth center programs taught by Lanakila Mangauil with a newfound passion for Hawaiian stories and culture. This inspired a growing interest among families who wanted to connect with their heritage. To meet this need, informal community classes were launched, focusing on bringing together keiki (children) and their ʻohana (families) to learn and grow together.
-
Lanakila called for a community meeting, gathering 20-30 supporters who dreamed of a dedicated cultural space for Hawaiian practices. Through their collective efforts, they raised $20,000 in a Kickstarter campaign, securing funds to rent a space and bring the dream to life. Initially, the center found a small but beloved home in a space affectionately called “the closet,” until a larger opportunity emerged in Honokaʻa’s historic Botello Building. Here, they expanded into two classrooms, symbolizing a new beginning and a commitment to the future of Hawaiian cultural education.
-
HCCOH opened in full capacity, evolving into a 4,000-square-foot beacon for Hawaiian language, arts, and history. It hosted classes on ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge), featured rotating exhibits, and served as a gathering place for community town halls. As the Mauna Kea movement gained momentum, the center played a crucial role, providing a space for supporters to organize and offering a platform for voices to be heard. The center echoed with chants, protocol, and the unity of a community dedicated to protecting Mauna Kea, further establishing its role as the pulse of Hawaiian culture in Honokaʻa and Hāmākua.
-
During the movement where over ten thousand people came to protect Maunakea, HCCOH served as a central gathering place for supporters in Honokaʻa. It organized events and supported community activism, cementing its role in uniting the people of Honokaʻa around Mauna Kea’s protection. The center also facilitated international connections, welcoming groups from Japan, Poland, and the Pit River Nation, alongside North American tribal communities. It bridged cultural gaps through exchanges, uniting Indigenous voices worldwide. From morning chants and Hawaiian storytelling to afternoon Zumba, Qi Gong, and evening salsa, the center was alive with diverse activities, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of Hawaiian culture in a modern world. The heart of the space pulsed with moʻolelo (stories), mele (songs), and the deep sense of aloha that bound the community.
-
When the pandemic forced the center to close its physical doors, its mission endured online, with virtual classes and community programs continuing to unite ʻohana far and wide. The focus shifted to providing essential food resources and support, aiding families in planting and preparing food. Despite physical closure, partnerships flourished with entities like the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, USDA, Hāmākua Harvest, and the Asian Pacific Museum of Warszawa, ensuring the center remained a lifeline for Hawaiians at home and abroad.
Our Team
Lanakila Mangauil
Founder / CEO
Growing up in the forests of ʻĀhualoa and down in Waipi‘o Valley, Lanakila was raised by and able to learn from a wide range of Hawaiian practitioners.
-
After graduating from Kanu O Ka ʻĀina NCPCS in 2004, he went on to teach in the DOE system, and continues to do so nearly two decades later. Upon founding The Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hāmākua (2016) he expanded his reach of cultural education locally, nationally, and internationally. A lifelong student of Hula and ritual, Lanakila received the title of Kumu Hula through the ceremonial right of uniki under Kekuhi Kanahele and Taupouri Tangaro.
He is best known for his activism and leadership in the movement to protect Maunakea and has served on the official Hawaiʻi State appointed Maunakea Working Group charged with the creation of a new management body for wahi kapu. Committed not only to activism but also solution creation, Lanakila was proud to co-author the revolutionary economic reform document: ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures.
Deynna Honi Pahiʻō Tagabi
Director of Operations
Honi serves as the Head of Operations for Hōʻā Hawaiʻi, skillfully guiding the organization's daily activities with a steadfast commitment to excellence and cultural integrity.
-
Notably, she stepped into the role of Interim Director during Lanakila Mangauil's travels associated with the Mauna Kea movement, showcasing leadership and adaptability during critical times. Honi currently leads the Kūkulu Kumuhana o Kalae Momona initiative in Waipiʻo Valley, focusing on cultural revitalization and sustainable community development. Her extensive experience includes directing the Hāmākua Youth Center in collaboration with KALO (Kanu o ka ʻĀina Learning ʻOhana) and running impactful programs for at-risk youth through the Hawaiʻi Department of Education. As the youngest daughter of esteemed community leader Kaʻiulani Pahiʻō and a lifelong friend of Lanakila Mangauil, Honi continues a family legacy of service, community empowerment, and cultural stewardship.
Nicole Naone
Creative Director
Naone leads design, digital strategy, and communications for Hōʻā Hawaiʻi, shaping the organization’s visual identity and online presence.
-
She played a key role in the transition from the physical space of HCCOH to the more expansive, place-based structure of Hōʻā Hawaiʻi, supporting a shift beyond the limitations of a single building. Nicole produces online courses and translates programs and initiatives into impactful visual platforms. Her communications work has supported numerous Native Hawaiian organizations and movements, including Puʻuhonua o Puʻuhuluhulu, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Mauna Medics, KAHEA Environmental Alliance, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. A recognized filmmaker, artist, and activist, she brings a deep commitment to cultural advocacy and storytelling across media.
Desha Pohae Pahiʻō Souza
Resource Management
Desha expertly oversees financial operations for Hōʻā Hawaiʻi, demonstrating trusted stewardship and strategic management of the organization's resources.
-
Her adept financial acumen ensures the sustainability and integrity of Hōʻā Hawaiʻi's initiatives. In addition to her role at Hōʻā Hawaiʻi, Desha serves as the manager of the Brantley Center, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence. As a proud graduate of the inaugural Kūkulu Kumuhana program, Desha embodies principles of sustainable living, actively cultivating her own food and exemplifying personal commitment to environmental stewardship. As the eldest daughter of Kaʻiulani Pahiʻō, Desha carries forward her family's honored tradition of cultural leadership, community service, and dedication to the land.
HŌʻĀ HOA
E Ala Ea was founded by Kaleinohea Cleghorn, a ceremonialist with deep roots in hula and chant traditions. Kaleinohea’s lineage includes a pioneering mother, the first Native Hawaiian
-
Hōʻā has collaborated with E Ala Ea to develop the Haʻialono and Ku Mai series, an initiative dedicated to fostering profound connections among individuals and recognizing the sacredness of self, relationships, and the environment through the rich traditions of Hawaiian chant and dance. E Ala Ea functions as a pivotal force in re-establishing relationships with ‘āina (land) while empowering individuals to explore their identities through transformative cultural practices. E Ala Ea focuses on the many ways to deepen a connection with self and our surroundings, highlighting the significance of maintaining harmonious relationships with one's spirit, with ‘āina, and with others.
E Ala Ea was founded by Kaleinohea Cleghorn, a ceremonialist with deep roots in hula and chant traditions. Kaleinohea’s lineage includes a pioneering mother, the first Native Hawaiian to obtain a Master’s degree in Hawaiian Archaeology, as well as an ancestral connection to Princess Kaʻiulani Cleghorn. This rich heritage informs the organization's mission, enhancing its commitment to cultural revitalization and community engagement.
In an important exchange of culture, people of the Pit River Nation community join the Aha Pule ‘Āina Holo on Hawai‘i Island, while HŌʻĀ participates in their Ancestral Run in Northern California.
-
The bond between Hawai‘i and the Pit River Nation goes beyond the Ancestral Run, drawing from stories shared over generations. Pit River elders recount that Hawaiians once traveled by canoe to their lands to visit Mt. Shasta, teaching a hula that is still preserved within the community.
This exchange of cultural practices has evolved into today’s ceremonial runs, underscoring mutual respect and the preservation of sacred traditions. The original run was Initiated around 1992 by Radley Davis and members of the Pit River community, the Ancestral Run aims to restore community well-being, resilience, and cultural pride in the face of health and social challenges.
The Pit River Nation, which includes eleven autonomous bands such as Ajumawi, Atsugewi, and Atwamsini, has a deep-rooted connection to the “100-mile square” area in Northern California, a landscape central to their heritage.
Hōʻā and Hāmākua Harvest are vital cornerstones of the Honokaʻa community, dedicated to promoting cultural preservation, sustainable food production, and community well-being.
-
Hōʻā and Hāmākua Harvest are vital cornerstones of the Honokaʻa community, dedicated to promoting cultural preservation, sustainable food production, and community well-being. Lanakila Mangauil, a former board member of Hāmākua Harvest, has been a passionate advocate for their mission, helping to forge a partnership that enriches the lives of local residents and attracts visitors to the area.
HŌʻĀ launched the Hulikalimailalo program, which engages community members in hands-on outdoor activities, sustainable practices, and cultural learning, all centered around mauliola (health and well-being). This initiative has provided a dynamic space where the community can come together for learning, cultural practice, and well-being. Hulikalimailalo became specifically impactful to the GIVE organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. This unique situation brought hundreds of mostly American volunteers from across the continental U.S. to Hawaiʻi instead of the developing countries it usually is in that it couldnt go to because of travel restrictions. Through this partnership, Hōʻā and Hāmākua Harvest have been able to host an array of individuals, schools, visiting families, and local ʻohana, providing a bridge for deeper cultural exchange and understanding.
Founded in 2021, ‘Aha’aina ʻo Niuliʻi was established when Alohilani Kaiamakini received the kuleana (responsibility) for stewarding 2.5 acres of ancient loʻi kalo in Niuliʻi.
-
Founded in 2021, ‘Aha’aina ʻo Niuliʻi was established when Alohilani Kaiamakini received the kuleana (responsibility) for stewarding 2.5 acres of ancient loʻi kalo in Niuliʻi. Over the course of two years, HŌʻĀ provided vital guidance and support for this extensive restoration process, which included clearing the land, removing invasive species, outplanting native plants, and rallying community support.
These efforts ensured that ‘Aha’aina ʻo Niuliʻi not only thrived but was also empowered to sustain its vision for the long term. Today, ‘Aha’aina ʻo Niuliʻi is flourishing, with over 400 pounds of kalo harvested and a vibrant community actively engaged in its stewardship. What began as a small group has transformed into a robust collaborative project, engaging more than 2,000 volunteers in its ongoing mission.
This initiative exemplifies the community’s collective desire to restore and celebrate their cultural heritage, showcasing the power of partnership and commitment to environmental stewardship.
The Asia and Pacific Museum was established in 1973 on the basis of Andrzej Wawrzyniak’s collection donated to the Polish state.
-
The Asia and Pacific Museum was established in 1973 on the basis of Andrzej Wawrzyniak’s collection donated to the Polish state. At that time, it numbered 4000 pieces of art and ethnographic objects from Indonesia amassed during his 9-years stay in that country as a diplomat. Such a private collection was unusual in terms of its value and size which was rare at that time. While Andrzej Wawrzyniak was working in the diplomatic service in Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal and Afghanistan, he travelled to almost all countries throughout Asia, Australia and most of Oceania, although it was Indonesia that inspired him the most. For this reason, the first name of the museum was the Museum of Nusantara Archipelago, as that region is known in the Malaya language.
It was officially established on 26 February 1973, when the collection was donated, the donator having received a nomination for the position of director, a function he performed until 2013. On 1 January 1976 the name was changed to the Asia and Pacific Museum in Warsaw, which, accordingly, began to gather collections from other regions besides Indonesia. Nowadays, thanks to the activity of the founder and the generosity of donors, it houses over 23,000 objects originating from almost every country within the Asian continent and most of Oceania.