Nurturing Culture, Empowering Community.
Ho‘opale Foundation is a Native Hawaiian organization dedicated to uplifting and empowering the Hawaiian community.
Ho‘opale: to fend off or ward off; to defend
Our Mission
Our primary mission is to support the education and well-being of Native Hawaiian children and individuals, especially those facing physical, mental, or financial challenges. We provide educational resources, financial assistance, and opportunities for personal growth to ensure a brighter future for our community.
Our Values
Laulima
Working Together
Family and the surrounding community serve as one team providing the foundation for growth, development, and success.
Kūpa‘a
Steadfast
Proud of who we are and where we’re from, determined to preserve and find strength in our cultural identity.
Pono
Integrity
Committed to always doing things the right way for the right reasons to see a better world that can be created together.
Community Impact
At Ho‘opale Foundation, our commitment extends beyond supporting the Native Hawaiian community. We are devoted to the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture, arts, and language. We believe that the well-being of Native Hawaiians is deeply connected to the preservation and celebration of our cultural heritage.
Through various community outreach programs and partnerships, we strive to sustain and nurture these essential elements of our identity. We mālama (care for and protect) these organizations by providing:
Financial Contributions
Supporting programs that promote Hawaiian culture, arts, and language.
Volunteer Services
Engaging in hands-on efforts to ensure these initiatives thrive.
E lauhoe mai nā wa‘a; i ke kā, i ka hoe; i ka hoe, i ke kā; pae aku i ka ‘āina
Everybody paddle the canoes together; bail and paddle, paddle and bail and the shore is reached.
Bi-Weekly Native Hawaiian Actor Workshops
From January to April 2023, a series of eight bi-weekly workshops brought together Native Hawaiian actors seeking to elevate their craft and navigate the complexities of the film industry. The core group consisted of seven participants, and the workshops culminated in two larger events attended by 15-20 individuals.
These workshops featured acting exercises, scene breakdowns, and discussions on the differences between stage and screen performance. Industry experts, including Alex Tarrant (NCIS: Hawaiʻi), Paʻa Sibbett (Chief of War), and Blackhorse Lowe (Reservation Dogs), shared their insights and experiences, offering valuable guidance to participants.
Each workshop was grounded in a kanaka (Native Hawaiian) perspective, as we work to develop the next generation of Native Hawaiian storytellers.
