Community-informed vision highlights need for a living space to sustain Hawaiian knowledge, support ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, and strengthen connections across generations
HONOLULU (May 18, 2026) — The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) today received initial findings from a feasibility study for a Native Hawaiian Cultural Center. AEA Consulting conducted more than 40 interviews with cultural practitioners, community leaders, and stakeholders for the study.
The findings point to a clear and consistent vision: What is needed is not a static museum, but a living space where Native Hawaiian culture can be practiced, shared, and carried forward. The space is envisioned as a place to gather, to heal, and to reconnect. It would be grounded in a Hawaiian worldview that recognizes the relationship between ʻāina (land), kai (ocean), and lani (sky). ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi would be present throughout the space, reflecting the continued growth of Hawaiian language education and revitalization efforts across the state.
“This work reflects our kuleana to the lāhui,” said OHA Board Chairperson Kaialiʻi Kahele. “We are seeing real momentum in Hawaiian language, cultural practice, and education. We must ensure there are spaces beyond the classroom where that growth can continue, where our people can gather, and where our culture can be lived every day.”
The study also makes clear that while the Center should be welcoming to all, it must remain Hawaiian-led and in service to Native Hawaiian communities, creating an intergenerational space where keiki (children), mākua (parents), and kupuna (elders) can learn from one another and stay connected through shared ʻike and practice.
One of the most consistent themes raised through community consultation was the lack of dedicated space for cultural practices. Many organizations and practitioners are already doing this work, but often with limited resources and limited room to grow. A centralized cultural hub would create opportunities for collaboration, expand access, and strengthen the visibility of Native Hawaiian practices across Hawaiʻi.
“This is about legacy,” Kahele added. “It is about making sure the next generation can grow up surrounded by their culture in visible, meaningful, and lasting ways.”
Proposed programming reflects that need, including hula, mele, voyaging, navigation, lāʻau lapaʻau, and traditional food practices. It also includes workforce development, wellness programming, and partnerships with schools and universities to support both cultural and community well-being.
With Kakaʻako Makai identified as a potential location, the study emphasizes the importance of honoring the area’s history and its connection to aliʻi and the ocean. Any future development must reflect authentic Hawaiian design, incorporate native plants, and uphold values of aloha ʻāina and stewardship.
The findings also acknowledge challenges, including long-term operational costs, alignment across stakeholders, and the need to ensure the Center does not lose its cultural integrity. Community members emphasized that Hawaiian leadership and accountability must remain at the forefront, and that the Center should not become something that prioritizes visitors over the people it is meant to serve.
A growing body of community input is reinforcing what many across Hawaiʻi have long understood. The need for a Native Hawaiian Cultural Center is not just important, but necessary. It’s time.
For more on OHA’s Kakaʻako Makai lands visit: www.oha.org/kakaako-makai
