ʻŌlelo No‘eau
"La‘i Hauola i ke kai mā‘oki‘oki."
"Peaceful Hauola by the choppy sea."
MISSION
To rebuild Lahaina with aloha by preserving Hawaiian culture and language, protecting our land and ocean, and supporting a strong, resilient community rooted in ancestral values.
FOR THE FUTURE OF
LAHAINA
La‘i Hauola is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rooted in Lahaina, Maui, dedicated to the immediate and long-term health, healing, and wellbeing of Lahaina’s diverse communities and precious natural resources.
Drawing from the enduring calm and life-giving mana of Pōhaku-o-Hauola—the sacred healing stone that has witnessed generations of renewal—we foster sustainable practices, empower local voices, nurture Hawaiian cultural heritage, and create pathways for community enterprise and collaborative programming.
Through language revitalization, cultural stewardship, and regenerative initiatives, we ensure a thriving, resilient future for all generations (hanauna) to come—honoring the past while building ola hou (new life) from the ashes of 2023.
THE VISION
We envision Lahaina rising stronger, where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi flows freely in daily life, traditional practices like fishing and land stewardship are restored, and an ancestral community facility (inspired by Polynesian marae models) serves as a vibrant hub for gathering, learning, healing, and economic empowerment.
La‘i Hauola stands as a beacon of laʻi mau (eternal calm) and pono, weaving together kūpuna wisdom, community collaboration, and innovative opportunities to heal hearts, lands, waters, and moana—for Lahaina's people and the lāhui Hawaiʻi.
PROJECTS
The Ma‘a Project is the collaborative, impact-focused heart of La‘i Hauola—a modular and adaptive initiative designed to empower Hawaiian and broader Lahaina communities through capacity building, resource generation, and innovative cultural programming. "Ma‘a" evokes strength, readiness, and the skillful handling of tools for life—much like preparing the ʻāina and people for enduring prosperity.
OBJECTIVES
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Equipping individuals, families, organizations, and community enterprises with the skills, resources, and networks needed to thrive post-recovery.
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Developing regenerative funding streams (e.g., cultural enterprises, grants, partnerships) that sustain long-term impact without dependency.
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Delivering hands-on, culturally grounded programming that honors ancestral knowledge while adapting to modern needs.
‘Ōlelo Program
Increasing Hawaiian Language Fluency for Lahaina Residents
A cornerstone of perpetuating moʻomeheu Hawaiʻi, this program revitalizes ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi as a living language in Lahaina. Through immersive experiences, it inspires community members of all ages to become active stewards and speakers—reconnecting keiki, mākua, and kūpuna to ancestral voices amid recovery. The inaugural initiative is the ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i Immersion Camp, a joyful, transformative gathering that equips participants with practical fluency, cultural pride, and tools for ongoing practice.
‘ŌPELU Program
Restoring Traditional Fishing Customs and Industry in Lahaina
Honoring the rich fishing heritage of West Maui, this program revives sustainable ʻōpelu (mackerel scad) practices, traditional knowledge of ocean stewardship, and community-based fishing enterprises. It supports economic opportunities for local families while regenerating moana health—ensuring future generations inherit thriving waters.