Mālama 'Āina Foundation

Mālama 'Āina Foundation Preparing communities to excel in STEAM through the application of traditional values and cultural practices.

09/11/2026

Two days in Kohala gave our Maui, Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island teams the opportunity to come together, strengthen our pilina, and spend meaningful time with the people and places that support this work.

As a team, we had the chance to learn from one another, reflect, and grow together. That time helped prepare us for the school year ahead with a stronger sense of purpose and kuleana.

The pilina formed in Kohala will continue to influence how we teach, collaborate, and create meaningful experiences for the keiki we serve.

Mahalo nui to ʻAnakala Andrew “Analu” Silva, Uncle David Fuertes and ʻohana, Angela Emeliano, and everyone who welcomed and cared for us. We carry forward the ʻike, aloha, and relationships shared with us over these two days. 💚💙

See you in Hāna September 17-19Open to the public event:Join us, fellow partners, and all the ‘ohana wa’a for Lā ‘Ohana ...
09/08/2026

See you in Hāna September 17-19

Open to the public event:
Join us, fellow partners, and all the ‘ohana wa’a for Lā ‘Ohana
Sept 19th
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Hana Bay

08/18/2026

Quarter 2 Wrap-Up - April to June 2026

Hoʻoulu: Growing Our Impact

From Hilo to Waiʻanae, Quarter 2 was rooted in growth through relationships. Together with our educators, cultural practitioners, community partners, and ʻohana, we created opportunities for haumāna to deepen their connection to ʻāina, ʻike Hawaiʻi, science, and their kuleana to the places and communities that sustain them.
Highlights:
• Growing Connections – Haumāna learned beyond the classroom at Puʻuwaʻawaʻa, Kahikina Learning Center, and Kālaemanō, exploring dryland forests, ʻōhiʻa lehua, cultural landscapes, traditional practices, and the importance of mālama ʻāina.
• Waʻa, Science & Reciprocity – In-class curriculum connected He waʻa he moku, he moku he waʻa with ecosystem science, helping students explore food webs, interdependence, balance, and the role each of us plays in caring for the systems that sustain life.
• Haumāna Become the Kumu – During Mahope ʻOhana Night, students in Hilo and Waiʻanae stepped into leadership roles, sharing their ʻike through hands-on activities centered on waʻa, kalo and maiʻa, moʻolelo, hula, and culture-based STEM learning.
• Hoʻoulu Beyond the School Year – Summer programs on Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu continued to engage keiki through gardening, lei making, wayfinding, Makaliʻi, hei, and other place- and culture-based experiences rooted in ʻike kūpuna.

From classroom to waʻa, mauka to makai, Hoʻoulu reminds us that meaningful growth happens when we nurture pilina, share ʻike, and create opportunities for the next generation to learn from and care for Hawaiʻi.

Mahalo to our kumu, staff, cultural practitioners, partners, ʻohana, and communities who continue to grow alongside us and help cultivate the next generation of leaders, stewards, and storytellers of Hawaiʻi.

08/14/2026

We’re hiring across Hawaiʻi Island!

We’re looking for people who are passionate about working with youth, grounded in community and ʻāina, culturally respectful and humble, adaptable, collaborative, dependable, and genuinely committed to helping young people grow and succeed. 

Open positions include:

Mobile S.T.E.A.M. Van Coordinators -  East & West Hawaiʻi
Educational Specialist - Kohala
Facilitator - Hilo

If you feel you’d be a good fit for our team we’d love to hear from you. 
👉 Swipe to learn more about each position and scan the QR code to apply on Indeed.
📩 You may also send your resume and cover letter to mail to: [email protected]

07/30/2026

Mahalo to Kalani Kahalioumi, Director of Ocean Recreation Programs for Hawaiʻi County, for inviting Mālama ʻĀina Foundation to be part of a special day of learning with more than 100 kumu from Waiākeawaena Elementary School!
Our Curriculum Coordinator, Kawehi Kammerer, and Program Specialist, Loki Vares, shared ways educators can incorporate ʻike kūpuna, place-based learning, and ʻāina-based experiences into their classrooms. Kumu also participated in ocean-safety learning, connected with the crew of Kiakahi, and explored the Richardson Ocean Park Museum.
We are grateful for opportunities like these to build pilina with educators and support learning that connects haumāna to ʻāina, kai, culture, and community.

06/02/2026

Spring ʻOhana Night 2026

At Spring ʻOhana Night, students share their Semester 2 learning with families and guests through interactive stations and presentations.

Waʻa – Students shared their experience aboard the waʻa kaulua with Kapena Kiko and taught guests about the different parts of the waʻa.
Huaka’i – Haumāna reflected on how the Kona Low impacted their spring break plans while sharing what they learned about kapa making with Puakea Forester and the Hawaiian martial art of lua with Kuialuaopuna.
Kalo & Maiʻa – Guests learned about the parts of these important plants and were invited to kui kalo using kalo harvested during their visit to OK Farms ECO Experiences.
The Moʻolelo of Hinaikeahi & Hinakuluua – Through stop-motion animation, students shared the legend of Hinaikeahi and Hinakuluʻua, exploring its relationship to the imu and its connections to waterways in the Hilo area.

Mahalo to our host sites, sponsors and everyone who joined us in celebrating the hard work, ʻike, and growth of our haumāna this semester. We are proud of all they have accomplished and grateful to our ʻohana and community for supporting their learning journey.

05/21/2026

🥬🍅 Mahalo nui to Nā ʻŌiwi Kāne for generously providing the funds to purchase our Mahope Program’s 2026 Spring ʻOhana Night produce boxes, and mahalo nui to and Frank Foods for supplying these beautiful veggies and whole roaster chickens for our haumāna and their families!

05/08/2026

✨Wednesday’s are for Huaka’i! 🤩

Three sites, three programs, one shared purpose: empower haumāna to be grounded in their identity and heritage, transform mindsets and foster healthy communities 🌱

05/05/2026

WE’RE HIRING!

Ready to take learning on the road and make a real impact in our communities?
Join us as the STEAM Van Coordinator for the Ke Kaʻa ʻEnehana Program

Think of it as Hawaiʻi’s version of a “magic school bus”—you’ll be traveling across Hawaiʻi Island, coordinating community partnerships and events, and bringing hands-on STEAM and ʻāina-based, culturally grounded learning experiences directly to students. You’ll create engaging, place-based opportunities that connect youth to culture, community, and ʻāina. Every day is different, meaningful, and rooted in purpose.

🕒 Full-time (M–F, with some evenings/weekends)

If you love working with youth, staying organized, and being on the move, this could be the perfect fit!

Email your resume to [email protected]
Tag someone who should apply 👇

Address

1259 ʻAʻala Street, Ste 304
Honolulu, HI
96817

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

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