Hana Business Directory

The purpose of Ke Ao Hāli’i is to protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources of the Hāna moku and the customary and traditional practices of Native Hawaiians of the region; to hold title to and own interests in real property or to hold easements; to preserve and manage the area’s natural, cultural, scenic, historic and marine resources for the benefit, education and enjoyment of our community and future generations.

We seek to acquire and steward important coastal properties in the Hana area, with a current focus on the Maka’alae and Mokae areas.

The overarching vision of Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike (MKHKI) is to increase Hāna’s self-sufficiency by providing meaningful learning opportunities that strengthen intergenerational relationships, environmental stewardship, cultural practices, and life skills, while meeting real and urgent community needs. Our approach can be summed up as returning youth to their rightful role as caretakers of their community.

MKHKI’s three main programs work in a holistic way—providing solutions to urgent issues while working to create systemic change that targets the root causes of these issues. Our Building Program installs handicap-access improvements for community members in need, while our Mahele Farm and Mālama Hāloa programs reintroduce healthy dietary and lifestyle choices, grounded in Hawaiian culture and connection to ‘āina (land). We provide services at no cost to low-income families, while our youth earn educational stipends and vocational skills training, changing the perpetuation of a low-income population in our isolated region. And we offer hands-on learning opportunities to youth who fail to thrive in the traditional academic setting, while providing our public school with an alternative educational approach that really works.