Nurturing the Voices of Our Future: A Giving Tuesday Reflection on Hāpunaleō
Giving Tuesday reminded us of something profound: generosity isn’t just a moment. It’s a movement carried by community, culture, and the belief that our youth deserve spaces where their voices can thrive.
In that same spirit of gratitude, we reached out to talk story about Hāpunaleō, a program rooted deeply in aloha ʻāina, ancestral wisdom, and the transformative power of creativity. What unfolded was more than an interview. It was a glimpse into the heart behind the work.
A Calling Begins: The Spark Behind Hāpunaleō
When asked about the moment that inspired the creation of Hāpunaleō, the answer came shaped by years of mentorship, music, and witnessing the power of moʻolelo to heal and uplift.
“For years, my work through Haku Collective showed me how music can open doors. It reconnects people to who they truly are. Every time I stepped into a classroom or a workshop, I could feel how hungry our keiki were for belonging to their roots, to their story, to their ʻāina. It began as a calling. A calling to hold space for a wellspring of voices grounded in aloha ʻāina, where youth rise with confidence and ancestral grounding.”
Hāpunaleō emerged from that knowing- that youth voices are vessels of lineage and memory. And when nurtured, those voices become bridges back to identity, purpose, and the lands that raised them.
Looking Forward: Growth Rooted in Place
As the conversation naturally flowed towards the future, the vision of Hāpunaleō in the next few years expanded. How do you envision Hāpunaleō growing in the next few years, especially for rural communities?
“The future of Hāpunaleō is rooted in our ʻāina. I imagine island-wide expansion that honors the unique lineages within each ahupuaʻa. Our rural communities often hold the deepest cultural knowledge yet have the least access to creative resources. We want to change that.”
As Hāpunaleō grows, the vision is to create a statewide network of cultural, creative, and wellness programs. These spaces will help keiki learn, lead, and understand that their voices carry the moʻolelo of the ancestors who walked before them.
Keeping Culture Alive: Remembrance and Understanding
When asked what they hope people understand about Hawaiian culture after engaging with the program, the response was immediate.
“I hope they feel that Hawaiian culture is alive. It breathes through the land, the language, the mele, and the people. When a child writes a song or shares their story, they aren’t just creating something new. They’re remembering something ancient.”
The heart of Hāpunaleō is the belief that culture is not separate from creativity. It is creativity. It is embodied, relational, and inseparable from ʻāina.
The Magic of MeleCraft: What Makes This Mentorship Unique
MeleCraft, one of Hāpunaleō’s cornerstone programs, stands apart because it approaches music as identity work.
“We don’t teach songwriting or performing in isolation. We teach belonging. Cultural pride. Aloha ʻāina. These kids learn that their creativity comes from within, from their kūpuna’s prayers and the ʻāina beneath their feet.”
After nearly a decade, the stories speak for themselves. Students have become gigging musicians, leaders, and educators. They carry their confidence beyond the stage and into who they are becoming. When we asked if any moments from past mentees stood out, one memory surfaced immediately.
“A shy student who barely made eye contact on Day 1 suddenly stood up on Day 2 to lead a jam session, assigning harmonies and guiding the group. I asked what changed, and they said, ‘I felt like this place believed in me.’ That is the heart of MeleCraft.”
A Leader Shaped by Hawaiʻi
We also explored the personal side, the upbringing behind this work, asking, “How has your childhood shaped how you lead?”
“Growing up in Hawaiʻi taught me that music and culture aren’t things we do. They’re who we are. My childhood was filled with mele that carried place names, family stories, and the heartbeat of the land. That shaped everything. It’s why I show up in this work the way I do.”
This deep personal connection is woven through every program, mentorship moment, and song.
Creativity as Prayer: The Inspiration Behind the Newest Music Video
Finally, we asked about the inspiration for the newest music video and how it ties into the mission of Hāpunaleō.
“This video is rooted in aloha ʻāina. It reflects our responsibility to care for the land that cares for us. Every scene shows how our identity is intertwined with place. Creativity becomes a form of prayer when it honors where we come from.”
They closed with the guiding mantra that shapes their purpose.
“Aia ke ola i ka waha, i ka hāpunaleo a ke aloha.”
Life lives in the voice, in the wellspring of love we share with one another.
“We are the wayfinders of a new generation, yet our songs always carry the echoes of our ancestors.”
Gratitude for a Community That Believes in the Future
As the conversation came to a close, one feeling rose above all others: gratitude. Gratitude for a community that shows up not only on Giving Tuesday but in every moment that shapes the lives of our youth. Gratitude for the kūpuna whose wisdom sustains this work. Gratitude for the keiki whose voices remind us why this mission matters.
Hāpunaleō is more than a program. It is a movement of love, a remembering, a rising.
And because of you, that movement continues to grow.
Fuel the Mission: Support That Makes the Difference
No program like Hāpunaleō stands alone. With community and support in mind, we asked what makes the biggest impact. Their answer was simple and profound.
• Funding, so programs remain completely free for all keiki and ʻohana
• Partnerships with organizations rooted in Hawaiian values who offer space, meals, cultural guidance, or logistical support
• Volunteers and mentors, including musicians, producers, cultural practitioners, kūpuna, creatives, and community members who show up with humility and heart
Each contribution becomes part of a larger movement to uplift the next generation.
How the Community Can Stay Connected
The best place to follow Hāpunaleō’s journey, along with future opportunities to support, is through Hapunaleo.com. As new programs, events, and mentorship pathways open, the website will be the first to share them.
“We’re excited to welcome our community into this next chapter.”