Upon inception, Mana Maoli’s first priority was to plan and grow a community, culture, and environment-based public charter school. Halau Ku Mana (HKM) became the 1st O’ahu school to receive its charter status in December of 2000, opening its doors in 2001. HKM, whose host communities are Maunalaha and Papakolea, is now in its 15th year of operation, serving students grades 4 through 12.

 

Kanehunamoku – a double-hulled Hawaiian voyaging canoe and ‘floating classroom’ (KVA), was born in 2002, with Hokule’a and Makali’i as its makua (parents) in its genealogy. KVA started with a focus on HKM students, and has since grown to serve many other schools and organizations. KVA recently acquired its own 501(c)3 nonprofit status and governing board.

 

Since 2001, Maoli Music has been primarily a volunteer-driven program, with well over 200 musicians, referred to as the ‘Mana Maoli Collective’, comprising the core of these volunteers. These artists have continually donated their time and talent to Mana Maoli CD’s, concerts, media apperance, and even cultural exchanges/tours to Aotearoa (New Zealand), all in support of over a dozen culture, community and environment-based charter schools across the islands.

 

Between 2010 and 2013, Mana Maoli received OHA grants for both its sailing canoe and music programs. Maoli Music related deliverables included Mana Maoli Volumes IV and V (38 tracks featuring 13 Hawaiian charter schools and over 100 pro artists), related music, engineering and music business mentorships, Mana Maoli’s first year-long afterschool class teaching “ABC’s” (Academics, Business, Culture) through music, and 32 related lessons developed by Kainani Kahaunaele.

 

In the Fall of 2013, Mana Maoli was awarded a 3-year federal ANA grant for its Maoli Music program. Combined with support from the Johnson ‘Ohana Charitable Foundation and over a dozen years of visioning, planning, and fundraising, Mana Maoli had finally secured enough resources to begin the Mana Mele project!