The Kaulele “Hoʻonui ʻIke” (Expanding Knowledge) initiative has been awarded $35,000 from Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Kūkulu Ola program! Kaulele delivers culturally grounded, hands-on STEM learning experiences to rural and underserved communities by transporting museum-quality exhibits rooted in ancestral knowledge systems. These interactive learning environments are designed to spark curiosity, reinforce cultural identity, and inspire deeper connections to ʻāina and place.
The traveling exhibit lineup includes Kapa, which explores plant fibers, fermentation, native design systems, and traditional dye production; Kaulana Mahina, which guides learners through Hawaiian moon phases, celestial navigation, and ecological timekeeping; and Loko I‘a, an exhibit focused on traditional Hawaiian fishponds as models of sustainable engineering, aquaculture, and intergenerational stewardship.
This funding will support the project’s goals to:
· Expand access to culture-based STEM learning for Native Hawaiian youth (ages 7–14) in rural and underserved areas.
· Engage multi-generational community members in meaningful cultural learning experiences that foster pride and pilina.
· Offer visitors genuine, place-based encounters that deepen their understanding of Hawai‘i’s cultural and ecological landscape.
